![The Star Eco Station is Culver City’s best kept secret. Located at 10101 Jefferson Blvd., the station is home to many exotic animals who have been illegally shipped to the United States and confiscated from their owners by the proper authorities.
As we approached the front entrance, we immediately noticed the three large land turtles that greeted us from behind a small fence. After paying the entrance fee of $8, we were introduced to our tour guide who started us off in the underwater room. Here we were exposed to a snapping turtle, various water turtles and rare/exotic fish (including the Puffer Fish, who, we were told, has a mini-heart attack each time it puffs up).
Next up was the bobcat room … yes you read that correctly … a room that held two different bobcats. We were able to stand very close to the bobcats, but they were obviously enclosed behind a fence, for the rare chance that I looked delicious on that day. Who in the United States would honestly try to own a bobcat and expect nobody in their area to notice?
The third room we entered was filled with reptiles. Alligators, snakes, skinks, iguanas and more of their related family. The highlight of this room was when a tiny alligator, enclosed behind glass, decided to attack me when I put my face up close. Obviously, the alligator wasn’t able to physically touch me, but it was frightening to see how fast they move.
The final room is home to over a dozen exotic birds, including a few who speak English. Sounds of ‘Hello’ and ‘Bye-Bye’ filled the room as we were introduced to each bird, one by one. It was sad to see, but many of the birds had their stomachs shaved by their past owners who were evil enough to sell their feathers for a profit.
We met a beautiful Toucan whose beak had a giant crack in it. It was then that we learned something truly disturbing. Many of these birds are shipped daily from other countries in small cylinder tubes (that you use at the post office to mail a poser) with no food, no room to breathe and a small chance of surviving. Statistically only 1 of 20 animals will survive this form of torture. A crack in your beak is considered lucky. How truly sick and disturbing some people are.
Overall, the Star Eco Station is way better than the LA Zoo. You are exposed to animals you don’t see everyday and you are able to get as close as humanly possible, without touching the animals. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and offer tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out http://www.ecostation.org for more information.
[Photo: Experience LA]
DJ Rossstar](http://25.media.tumblr.com/j7Jt2UZv0osx5kdaR2toEO0Mo1_400.jpg)
The Star Eco Station is Culver City’s best kept secret. Located at 10101 Jefferson Blvd., the station is home to many exotic animals who have been illegally shipped to the United States and confiscated from their owners by the proper authorities.
As we approached the front entrance, we immediately noticed the three large land turtles that greeted us from behind a small fence. After paying the entrance fee of $8, we were introduced to our tour guide who started us off in the underwater room. Here we were exposed to a snapping turtle, various water turtles and rare/exotic fish (including the Puffer Fish, who, we were told, has a mini-heart attack each time it puffs up).
Next up was the bobcat room … yes you read that correctly … a room that held two different bobcats. We were able to stand very close to the bobcats, but they were obviously enclosed behind a fence, for the rare chance that I looked delicious on that day. Who in the United States would honestly try to own a bobcat and expect nobody in their area to notice?
The third room we entered was filled with reptiles. Alligators, snakes, skinks, iguanas and more of their related family. The highlight of this room was when a tiny alligator, enclosed behind glass, decided to attack me when I put my face up close. Obviously, the alligator wasn’t able to physically touch me, but it was frightening to see how fast they move.
The final room is home to over a dozen exotic birds, including a few who speak English. Sounds of ‘Hello’ and ‘Bye-Bye’ filled the room as we were introduced to each bird, one by one. It was sad to see, but many of the birds had their stomachs shaved by their past owners who were evil enough to sell their feathers for a profit.
We met a beautiful Toucan whose beak had a giant crack in it. It was then that we learned something truly disturbing. Many of these birds are shipped daily from other countries in small cylinder tubes (that you use at the post office to mail a poser) with no food, no room to breathe and a small chance of surviving. Statistically only 1 of 20 animals will survive this form of torture. A crack in your beak is considered lucky. How truly sick and disturbing some people are.
Overall, the Star Eco Station is way better than the LA Zoo. You are exposed to animals you don’t see everyday and you are able to get as close as humanly possible, without touching the animals. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and offer tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out http://www.ecostation.org for more information.
[Photo: Experience LA]
DJ Rossstar
