I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida. It was overrun by nature, but eerie cages remained.

I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida. It was overrun by nature, but eerie cages remained. The author visited abandoned structures at the Crandon Park Zoo's ruins in Florida. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Elephants, monkeys, tigers, and reptiles once lived on a corner of a South Florida beach, where I found empty cages covered in graffiti and greenery.The Crandon Park Zoo opened in 1948 as Miami's first zoo, according to the Miami Herald. Then a hurricane in the 1980s left it in shambles. The park closed, and animals that survived the hurricane were moved to a larger area. In 1991, the zoo ruins reopened as gardens.I visited the park in October 2021 to see what remained of the abandoned zoo, and I found a natural wildlife sanctuary. The first thing I noticed was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present. The entrance to the zoo ruins. Joey Hadden/Business Insider According to Atlas Obscura, the ruins are also home to wild alligators, iguanas, and peacocks. The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free. Birds perch on a fence in the park. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Parts of the park were paved, while others felt wild. Some of the land was once a coconut plantation, according to the Miami Herald. In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks. An abandoned enclosure in the park. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I thought it looked like it could have been a unique, immersive attraction and wondered what animals may have lived there decades ago. Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti. A fence blocks access to an abandoned structure. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I peered over high, chain-linked fences and spotted remnants of vandalized structures. But one large structure remained accessible. The largest abandoned structure in the park. Joey Hadden/Business Insider It appeared to once house multiple cages. Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside. The cages were locked. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I was able to see inside a few of the animals' quarters, which were now empty aside from some leaves, branches, and overgrown vines. The doors were still locked. The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting. Inside one of the locked enclosures. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Peering inside made me think about the animals that might have gotten stuck inside as hurricane waters filled their enclosures.I tried to imagine what kind of animals could live in these spaces. Based on their size, maybe monkeys, I thought. I left the park thinking it's probably a better home now for the wildlife that has taken over. Trees inside the park. Joey Hadden/Business Insider After my visit, the zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the community in November 2022. Read next Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining Business Insider in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, including overnight rides lasting up to 53 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, Nightjet, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. When she's not taking trains, notes, or pictures, Joey spends her time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval. Lifestyle Photos Travel More Animals