Ardastra Gardens and Zoo, Nassau

Spread over more than four acres, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre houses a plethora of animal species, including the national bird of the Bahamas, the Caribbean flamingo.

The gardens were initially designed by the renowned Jamaican horticulturalist Hedley Edwards in 1937, who named the gardens Ardastra, which means “striving towards the stars” in Latin. Edwards intended to create a tranquil nature preserve that would depict a ‘utopia of peace, beauty and tranquillity’.

Over time, Ardastra Gardens became home to the endangered Caribbean flamingos, brought in from the island of Inagua in the 1950s. Edwards developed a successful breeding program for these birds, which were eventually trained to perform for visitors. Today, the flamingos continue to be one of the main attractions of Ardastra Gardens, and are fondly referred to as “Ballerinas in Pink” by National Geographic.

In 1980, the gardens were acquired by Norman Solomon, who was passionate about wildlife and conservation education. Solomon added more animals to the gardens and created a boutique zoo, which today houses over 135 animal species. Visitors can expect to see a variety of animals, including parrots, peacocks, lemurs, monkeys, reptiles, and even a pygmy hippopotamus.

Aside from the animals, Ardastra Gardens is also famous for its tranquil and restorative gardens. Visitors can wander through the lush tropical gardens, admire the beautiful flowers and plants, and take in the serene ambiance of the place.

Ardastra Gardens is not just a tourist attraction but also a conservation center that works toward the protection and preservation of local wildlife. The center relies heavily on philanthropic support from the public to meet its operating costs and fulfill its educational and conserving missions.