{
  "id": 17259422,
  "title": "I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida. It was overrun by nature, but eerie cages remained.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/i-explored-the-ruins-of-an-abandoned-zoo-on-the-coast-of-florida-it",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T17:11:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/abandoned-florida-zoo-crandon-park-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The reporter ventured to explore the ruins of an abandoned zoo situated along the coast of Florida. The Crandon Park Zoo, Miami's inaugural zoo, faced a tragic fate when a hurricane in the 1980s reduced it to rubble. The park was later converted into gardens in 1991, and the reporter visited the site in October 2021 to witness the remnants of the once-thriving zoo.\n\nUpon entering the park, the visitor was greeted with a warning sign about crocodiles residing within the area. The park's layout was a mix of paved walkways and wild terrain, creating an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. The reporter observed that some parts of the land had been a coconut plantation, adding a layer of history to the current setting.\n\nEmbedded in the rocks, the reporter spotted what resembled an abandoned animal cage, which further fueled their curiosity about the zoo's past inhabitants. The structures within the park were a mix of fenced-off areas and vandalized structures, many of which were covered in graffiti. The reporter was able to access one large structure that had once contained multiple cages.\n\nInside these cages, the reporter found remnants of leaves, branches, and overgrown vines, indicating that the structures had been abandoned for years. The doors were still locked, but the view inside the cages was undeniably haunting. The reporter contemplated the fate of the animals that may have been trapped inside as the hurricane waters inundated their enclosures.\n\nOne theory the reporter entertained was that the cages could have once housed monkeys, based on their size. As the reporter left the park, they couldn't help but feel that the wildlife that had taken over the abandoned zoo was better off in their current habitat. The zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary in November 2022, but the reporter's visit served as a poignant reminder of its brief, tragic existence.",
  "summary": "Crandon Park Zoo was abandoned after hurricanes ravaged the area. Today, wildlife such as alligators and peacocks live freely in the park.",
  "key_points": [
    "Crandon Park Zoo, Miami's first, was destroyed by a hurricane in the 1980s.",
    "Reporter visited the abandoned zoo in October 2021, finding remnants of cages.",
    "Overgrown vegetation and graffiti-covered structures indicate years of abandonment."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}