Persons interested in making bookings or finding out more about the soon-to-be-opened Value P Zoo in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, are being asked to email valuepzoo@ cwjamaica.com.
The incorrect email address was posted in Saturday’s Gleaner story captioned ‘St Bess’ wild side’. We apologise for the error.
Hope Evans, Gleaner Writer
Zoo owner Paul Fearon plays with a young lion from Value P Zoo. (Photo provided by Paul Fearon)
Meet Muhammad Ali lookalike Paul Fearon, a wildlife park owner from Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, who aspires to create a fenceless landscape to be among the top 10 zoos in the world.
Fearon said he has always been unusually brave when face-to-face with the animal kingdom. In fact, even the most feared beast of the jungle fails to rouse cowardice in him, as he has been training lions for quite sometime. He attributes his passion for animals to his veterinarian father.
Monkeys, zebras, lions, llamas, and guard dogs are just a few of the animals Fearon has trained throughout his life, both here and abroad. However, the simplicity of smaller, more tranquil animals also piques his interest. He can often be spotted watching hummingbirds feed on a particular hibiscus plant that he planted among the zoo's tropical landscape.
"I have an extreme love for animals," he said, making sure to point out that he typically names the animals he trains. His philosophy is that all animals, from the smallest to the largest, are special and he said Value P Zoo will subscribe to that principle.
"If we take the time out to study various animals, we will realise that they are all unique in their own way," Fearon said. "Although at times their eating habits are unbelievable, like a snake eating a live chick."
According to Fearon, the logistics of opening and operating a zoo are rather arduous. He said apart from a zoo licence, separate licences for each animal located in the zoo are necessary - a difficult feat considering the numerous animals that will occupy Value P Zoo's 158 acres.
Funding an issue
Funding has also been an issue for the tenacious entrepreneur and Fearon has had to invest most of his own money in his quest to operate the zoo he hopes will be the best in the Caribbean.
In an attempt to make animals appear as if they are living in the wild, Fearon has promised the concept of a fenceless zoo. He said moats (ditches) will be used to keep animals in their respective enclosures.
Working with animals most of his life spurred him to develop several unique opinions, including one that holds that the elephant is the real king of the jungle. Challenging the lion's title as the king, Fearon stated that male lions are leaders but they do not provide for the rest of their group.
"A true king is a leader and a provider," Fearon said. "Elephants are known for aiding themselves and their herds, other animals in distress, as well as humans."
The Value P Zoo will officially open in August and is set to house a variety of animals, including giraffes, cougars, cheetahs, and pet farm animals. The zoo is also expected to accommodate a play area to rival American play centres, a grand waterfall with tamed birds fish ponds, and a Jamaican restaurant.
Fearon's projections put the estimated entry cost at $700 for adults and $500 for children. He can be contacted at valuepzoo@cwjamaica.com.
Santa, one of two African lions located at Value P, roars into action.
A ball python wraps itself around a piece of bamboo. (Photo provided by Paul Fearon)
A llama takes food from zoo owner Paul Fearon's hand.
A crocodile lounges in a man-made swamp at the zoo while the other shows off its sharp teeth.
A tuffed cinnamon capuchin monkey named Mikey greets his trainer with enthusiasm.
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