Cuban Reacts to the Zoo in America - Emotional!

Yoel, a Cuban immigrant, reacts to the Zoo in America. Zoo in Cuba is VASTLY different but we took him to the world famous San Diego Zoo. Its incredible watching his reaction.
Follow us!
IG: MimaInCuba
TikTok: YoelandMari
write us recommendations! [e-mail]
Support this page: Patreon.com/yoelandmari

[@8catmom]

Someone should save all the zoo animals in Cuba

[@YoelAndMari]

They are trying actually!!

[@8catmom]

@@YoelAndMari as an animal lover to the max I pray they rescue all of them especially the big cats

[@mariaming2479]

It could really be worse now. So sad.

[@TalklikeAPirate]

Yeah..and the people too...

[@hummbaba33]

We should save the people

[@googleblockedme5543]

The San Diego zoo is the blueprint for almost all modern zoos in America. Giving shelter, space, natural habitat and stimulation for the animals has made a huge difference in the animals’ lives

[@michaelbcohen]

actually the San Diego Zoo was modeled after the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Zoo Model which was the first modern zoo to give space, stimulation, and a habitat. Bronx Zoo was started by the New York Zoological Society , which later became the Wildlife Conservation Society. In 1916 the San Diego Zoo brought them in to help make their zoo modeled after the one on the Bronx but larger. Bronx Zoo created what called the New York Zoological Society Standards back in 1895, the blueprint for modern zoos

[@zacharystephens982]

6:00... did she say.... she witnessed a cheetah kill a lion.....

[@nicholegallo1090]

@@michaelbcohen actually the Philadelphia zoo is the oldest zoo in America. That zoo was the blueprint. They opened their historic gates in 1874. Suppose to open in 59 but the civil war ensued causing a delay of 15 years.

[@Yerocco]

@@nicholegallo1090 where did you see something about the oldest?

[@michaelbcohen]

@@nicholegallo1090 Philly was an older zoo, but it followed the European model at until the early 1900s when they changed, had no resemblance to the modern Zoo and the method developed at the Bronx Zoo. It was a European cage style zoo

[@mrs.sherry]

As an American, I must say that we take for granted what we have here. I never realized that something as official as a zoo, would be so neglected in other countries. I am so happy for Yoel to have the chance to come here and enjoy the simple pleasures.

[@JasonRule-1]

What's ironic is that much of the natural beauty of Cuba including its coastlines is unblemished and pristine which is in complete contrast to the United States. You might think of it as a trade-off.

[@tn-titan6159]

​@@JasonRule-1 Cuba is small island. Much easier to keep clean. However America is definitely cleaner than China, India, or Russia, I guarantee you that. And besides no where on earth is "unblemished and pristine" anymore.

[@cajuncraftysue]

I love Yoel’s description “a Capitalist Lion”!! Breaks my heart for the poor animals in the Cuban Zoo. So pitiful! I wish I knew what I could do to save them! They don't understand political ideologies!! Looks like y'all had a wonderful time!!❤️

[@YoelAndMari]

Thanks for seeing us, what you see in Cuba is terrible, it's sad

[@theimmortalrain867]

It broke my heart too. I wish there was something we could do.

[@marywood8794]

You're never too old for a zoo!

[@YoelAndMari]

nooo ehehe is so nice

[@jeffadams3021]

It is fascinating watching your journey here in the United States and to see and hear your perspective. Far too many Americans have been spoiled by the freedoms and wonderful opportunities available here. Too many people take that for granted and those that hate this country have no clue what it's really like in other parts of the world. Keep doing what you're doing, and keep spreading your message many more need to hear it!

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks jeff,That's why I tell all Americans to take care of what you have.

[@zacharystephens982]

@@YoelAndMari 6:00... did you say.... you witnessed a cheetah kill a lion.....

[@danielryan8089]

The man feels blessed to look at a map! Unreal. The more I watch this show the more I realize how much I’ve taken for granted living my whole life here in the US. I think I can speak for all true patriots when I say thank you so much for sharing your journey with us, and reminding us to never take the small, sometimes insignificant, things for granted.

[@spanishdncr71]

I cry everytime I watch your videos with sadness for the people of Cuba which is such a beautiful country and the people are so amazing and I cry with happiness at Yoel’s reactions to the sights in America and his appreciation of what we Westerners have taken for granted our whole lives. ❤

[@ScottishDeeSideEye]

Fun fact - Flamingos get their pink color from their food. Carotenoids give carrots their orange color or turn ripe tomatoes red. They are also found in the microscopic algae that brine shrimp eat. As a flamingo dines on algae and brine shrimp, its body metabolizes the pigments - turning its feathers pink. ❤

[@Nightscream452]

I'm glad you enjoyed our world famous San Diego Zoo!! As a Native San Diagan, we really take pride in or zoo. The Zoo's try to create an enviroment that animals can thrive in while also providing education for visitors. I know a lot of ppl dislike zoos but they do serve a greater purpose of not only educaation, but rehabilitation & conservation of endangered animals, with out zoo's the California Condor and many other species would be extinct today. I hope you take the time while your're here to also check out Balboa Park itself, it has tons of wonderful Meusems & plantlife, also the Wild Animal Park. :D I also saw you're tweet response to JoshfromEngland, and I have to say, stay strong in the face of those that would shout you down. You know the Truth, you LIVED the truth! And those that would deny you are people so deep in their delusions of how bad America is that they can't see the freedoms they've been granted by just being born here. Those are people that NEED to visit other countries to see how blessed they really are.

[@YoelAndMari]

Thank you so so much! Yes we love Josh from England but his experience on TikTok is much different than ours. We have been ridiculed many many times.

[@cliffordschaffer5289]

@@YoelAndMari Ignore it and do what you do best - be happy and amazed.

[@jenlc1536]

As San Diegans, it's hard to not love animals when you experienced stuff like this growing up. I second the Wild Animal Park (now called the San Diego Zoo Safari Park). It's a little bit of a drive up but it feels more spacious. As an adult, when I figured out how close we lived to the Safari Park, I was kicking myself for how many times I would have loved visiting. But my parents weren't rich and I would be asking to go every day if I had known when I was a kid!

[@1COMIXMAN]

I too am from San diego in the 70s and 80s and yes balboa museums and wild animal park are good places to explore. The air and space museum is a good one too. Or take a trip up and see the presidio or sea world. San diego was such a cool place when I lived thee. You were alway within 2 hours of pretty much any kind of terrain known to man. The beach was west, mountains,alpine forests snow northeast, the desert east,huge forests north,farm lands for miles east and north east. Groves of citrus and avocado or date palms that stretched miles. I used to remember back in the day walking down alleys with friends and it seemed every house had either lemon,grapefruit,lime orange, pomegranate or avacado tree in their yards. Pickle weeds everywhere and licorice plants growing wild in every canyon or field. Exploring the cayons all over san diego. Going fishing at otay lake or Sweetwater lake.going to ocean beach or imperial beach. Or go to missions bay to watch the over the line games. Maybe ride the roller coaster at mission beach. One thing I hated though was the smell of mission bay. Ugh the sand in it used to stink like rotten eggs. Lots of memories there.

[@suzz1776]

Why on earth would cuba even have a zoo if they cant even feed their own people or the animals. That is just plain cruel. Btw, im glad y'all enjoyed the zoo. We San Diegons r proud of our zoo. 😊

[@LJBSullivan]

Every country thinks they should have a zoo. Also for years our zoos were like that.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

"Flexing" Must show that the Glorious Socialist system is as good if not better than everyone else. Fake it until you make it mentality.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

@@LJBSullivan Perhaps at the dawn of the 19th Century. Zoos evolved dramatically by the mid 20th Century by the 2000s there really shouldn't be any Zoos that look like something you'd see in 1920. Worse, I'd argue Cuban Zoos look like War time German Zoos from the 1940s.

[@pkmcnett5649]

Animals were NEVER starved. The enclosures were not great, but the animals were watched over.

[@AlejandroMartinez-it4qq]

Well in Cuba lions live in terrible conditions search up some videos.@@pkmcnett5649

[@Ted655687653]

Hey, I'm one of the guys that suggested a few years ago to come to the San Diego Zoo. I'm so glad you got to see it in all its glory. Sea World is really fun too.

[@msdarby515]

Watching you introduce Yoel to the beauty the world has to offer literally makes me tear up in almost every video. Seeing the awe and wonder of a child on his face makes me so happy, and so sorry; sorry he's had to wait so long...but so happy he's having these experiences. That does bring me joy. It also certainly makes me appreciate our country even more and so grateful to my great-grandfathers for seeing the United States as a beacon of hope, and the freedom to be whatever they could make of themselves. Because of them I was truly blessed to be born an American. Love you guys and God bless you!! Also, Yoel's identifying the lions as capitalists was hysterical!! 🤣 I truly believe he understands the freedom in the US better than many who were born and raised here. And he's so smart I often think he should be teaching what he knows.....or maybe have a podcast or a show on Telamundo....and when his English is better he can be on an English station!!! He'd be wonderful! (and you to Mari!!)

[@naomithomas6301]

I am so appreciative of Yoel's pure amazement and joy. We take so many thing for granted and Yoel is just a bundle of pure joy. When you grow up having little to nothing, you appreciate all the small things. Thanks so much for putting things in perspective. May God continue to bless yall.

[@YoelAndMari]

Thank you so much Naomi

[@naomithomas6301]

@@YoelAndMari you're very welcome. I get some much joy just watching yall. I pray Yoel's joy and wonderment continues. Seeing him happy makes me happy 😊

[@apumpkinsmom]

I would love to see Yoel's reaction to visiting one of our beautiful National Parks. My personal favorites are Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, and Big Bend.

[@YoelAndMari]

yellowstonee will try

[@waynewheeler7929]

I was thinking of the Grand Canyon as well.

[@Kovitlac]

If you ever have a chance, visit the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE. It's absolutely stunning. You can wander through a whole rainforest, a desert, a cave system, etc and see how the animals look roaming around being little to no glass. Very cool!

[@denikamichael844]

Facts!

[@YoelAndMari]

i hope one day go there

[@ettibbet5493]

​@@YoelAndMari if I can recommend, try going when the college world series is in town, can go to both during the same trip

[@debbers]

This was my first time sitting in with you folks today, thank you for allowing me to do that! I really appreciate it! I absolutely loved your reactions to the San Diego Zoo, having been to quite a few different zoos here in America I know what you are feeling! Awe and amazement to name a few things I know you must be feeling!

[@ChrisPBacon710]

so glad you say country of ours - because you two are just as American as I am. so glad you're enjoying the country! San Diego zoo is one of the highlights of my childhood :)

[@jorgeverdecia2197]

You guys are awesome!! I had the privilege and honor of being born in this country. ( I'm a good ole Hialeah boy). My parents immigrated from Cuba in the late 60's and started their American dream. Yoel, le agradezco su perspectiva sobre cómo una persona de origen humilde puede mostrarle al resto de nuestro país lo que necesita ver. Que fácil olvidamos lo que tenemos aquí en esta gran nación. God Bless and keep on keeping on! DALE!!!

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks you for see us , gracias mi hermano ojala que cuba sea libre algun dia

[@billiebuffalo]

Been here many times. Occasionally have to go alone because my family doesnt want to go AGAIN. 😂 Its such a beautiful zoo.

[@YoelAndMari]

yes beautiful zoo

[@maritzarodriguez6256]

His joy, brings me joy and tears at the same time. I'm so happy this was such a great experience for him. Always so grateful!❤

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks you for see us , and how beautiful is this country

[@HBC423]

His English is coming along pretty well

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks , thanks i try

[@melissastapleton5384]

That was so fun! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@YoelAndMari]

Thanks for watching :)

[@rebeccataylor8981]

Hi, Yoel and Mari; I really enjoy your videos! It's probably already been said in some of the other comments, but the San Diego Zoo is an accredited member of AZA -- the Association of Zoos and Aquariums -- an American organization whose members help each other carefully raise endangered species, work to save and restore natural environments, and education the public about ways that they, too, can understand and help our natural world. For 15 years I was a teacher in a small AZA-accredited zoo, giving programs to groups of all ages on all these topics, along with basic compassion lessons, such as "Please don't try to kill snakes, kids; it's cruel and the snake is NOT evil; if it snaps at you it's because it's simply scared and/or confused; no, I don't care WHAT your grandpa says." (Just kidding about that last part; we're always careful to not insult their critter-crushing relatives. My actual wording was usually along the lines of "Well, your grandpa may not understand the way that snakes think, and now that you DO, you can treat them safely and nicely. Oh, and here's some first aid steps if you do get bitten.") So look for an "AZA member" sign at the entrance to any aquarium or zoo that you visit; it's a good indicator that the place is helping wildlife, not exploiting it.

[@chadgray5120]

Just found your videos. Thank you for putting your story out. As natural born Americans, we forget the gifts and blessings we have. Welcome Yoel to your new American family. I hope you get a chance to see more of this nation. Come up to Oregon and you must see Crater Lake National Park.

[@sansbazinga9821]

This was awesome! These videos remind to be grateful for how good we have it here in the US despite our issues. That said, You should DEFINTELY plan to go to a national park like Yellowstone or Yosemite! I'm sure ya'll would love it. Much love, God bless.

[@scottinphilly]

The Las Vegas Strip and Fremont Street!

[@cmc5394oparva]

I still remember my first trip to the San Diego Zoo back in 1998. It's definitely a must-see for anyone visiting that city for the first time; glad you got to experience it as well!

[@Laura-kz7kh]

I hope you guys enjoy the zoo. He looks so happy taking in all the beautiful animals. I'm so happy for him for enjoy the zoo .🐯🤩🥳🤩🐨🐅🐆🦒

[@lilyj9924]

MY EXACT SENTIMENTS 😊

[@nolaknowles9888]

I have been to the San Diego Zoo. It is amazing.

[@craigdilcher9802]

If you ever get the opportunity the national aquarium in Baltimore Maryland is just an amazing place to visit

[@YoelAndMari]

no but we try , thanks thanks

[@vickiechandler3112]

@@YoelAndMari and the national aviary in pittsburgh, pa and hit up the pittsburgh zoo while you are in the area..your calf muscles will get a workout

[@damionmarkham9835]

Thanks Craig , I have some family in Virginia I would like to visit someday, I'll put that on my list 😁

[@liahawkins8281]

and CRABCAKES !

[@coleensakamoto6844]

Years ago the San Diego Zoo had a program called "Roar and Snore". After the park closed, they let you in (if you had reservations, of course) to spend the night in their "Wild Animal Park". This was only available in the Summer months. They provide the tents & you bring your sleeping bags. They also provided a battery operated lantern. There were 2 excursions into the park that they took everyone on. Later, they had a campfire time with Smores and a zoo keeper who brought out 3 or 4 wonderfully beautiful (smaller) animals that they would teach us about. If you asked a good question about that animal, you could go up an touch it. At night, in our tent, I could hear the lions roaring in the disdance. I felt like I was in Africa. Thrilling! In the morning they fed you an all you can eat breakfast and you could spend the whole day in the park. If the still have this, it would be wonderful to experience it through both of your eyes. So glad you enjoyed this zoo. It's really a wonderful experience. Love your exploration of your new Country with your lovely wife, Yoel. It reminds me to pray for Cuba & all it's captive people there.

[@tn-titan6159]

🤩 Sign me up!

[@devito26]

You both are incredible people, I'm so glad you're enjoying it here!

[@YoelAndMari]

thnaks devito T,hat is Italian last name I love Italian if you are from there I say your roots

[@rx7what]

The SanDiego wild animal park of the zoo is even better. It has much more open areas and most of the babies and pregnant animals are there. If you go at just the right time you can get to see and maybe hold a baby lion or tiger or something.

[@YoelAndMari]

WOWW THANKS , I WILL LOVE GO THERE

[@kelmac1618]

@@YoelAndMari yes!!! It’s called San Diego Zoo Safari Park now. The Lion section is bigger there with more lions. There are big pastures for the giraffes and zebras, etc.

[@Supergirl-rz8yi]

I have an idea for you.... Not many Americans even do this but we have one in my home town and I grew up going all the time as a kid in the 90s and it's still going strong today. Look for a drive in theater . So much fun! The one we have they play two movies for the price of one and you can bring in all your own drinks and snack but they also have a snack bar.

[@YoelAndMari]

That is what we want Americans to see how beautiful their country is and to try to go out and see them.

[@vickiechandler3112]

@@YoelAndMari great attitude....people dont appreciate what they have and dont even know about a lot of places or realize how diverse even state is. We live in Pennsylvania (PA) and take small day road trips to see fun things. Tell people about it later and get a blank look, as they have never even heard of that place. Lots of unique natureal, manmade and roadside attractions to .see.

[@emmef7970]

San Diego still has two drive in theatres. I live about two miles from one of them. Can remember going to it as a kid with my family in the 60's. In the 70's it was one of the weekend teen hang-outs. In the 90's my kids did the same. Now, 60+ years later my last grandkids are graduating high school. I hope it's around for the next generation of our family to enjoy. Our local drive-in has the same set up except there are three screens that show 2 movies each, twice a night.Snack Bar or bring your own. Summers are fun to bring lawn, camping chairs to enjoy the nice summer nights. Lots of good memories.

[@janethays3408]

Yoel needs to see the Grand Canyon in person. Pictures don’t do it justice.

[@alhainmccallister3383]

If you like zoos, you really should come to Omaha to the Henry Doorly zoo. There isn't a whole lot to do here but Omaha has what was officially named the best zoo in the world. It's really beautiful. If you come out during the College World Series you can also see a really big event here too for college baseball.

[@kizmo2317]

I wish Yoel could run for President. He'd have my vote.

[@LT81baller]

Definitely gotta check out Balboa Park with the museums and friendship garden. Also can't pass up the USS Midway Museum.

[@jackicarl8372]

Fun fact…. Flamingos are pink from the shrimp they eat 😉🫰🏻💜

[@YoelAndMari]

HEHEHE YESS ,WE CUBANS DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS HEHEH

[@Annonymous0283745]

yeah in Cuba the flamingos are white because there's nothing to eat in Cuba

[@TheJudiBambiPurrsParadox]

The Arizona Sonoran Zoo is splendid, as is Reid Park Zoo In Tucson, Arizona. The were also on the forefront of open, natural enclosures that mimic their natural homes. They include enrichment items for play, learning, etc. The Sonoran Zoo uses invisible netting made of wire, which the inmates in the prisons make. It's like there are no fences at the exhibits and picture taking is not blocked by regular enclosures. They are also in the midst of the desert...with all the natural flora and fauna.

[@sallyintucson]

If you ever make it to the Tucson area go to The Desert Museum (animals and plants are all marked) and Old Tucson. Old Tucson is known for being the place where many of the old Western movies were filmed. It’s presently being fixed up after it switched ownership during COVID.

[@YoelAndMari]

NO SORRY , BUT WE TRY

[@sallyintucson]

@@YoelAndMari Some time in the future.

[@sallyintucson]

Have you been to the Grand Canyon yet? You can get a package deal where you take the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon, you get a room up there and take a tour bus to see different things up there. I’ve done it and it’s fun!

[@katrinaprescott5911]

American Zoos do not only care for the physical well being of the animals in their care, they worry about the psychological well being also. The Cincinnati Zoo provides "enrichment" activities for animals to keep them from being bored. It often involves special food treats hidden in a block of ice or a cardboard box that the animal has to figure out how to get into. Baby cheetahs that don't have a sibling are provided with a puppy as a companion to grow up with because they develop better and are happier than they would be alone. The cheetah and companion dog are usually together about three years and when the cheetah starts to drift away from the relationship (about the same time they would separate from siblings in the wild) the dog is adopted into a forever home. Most zoos in the US genetically test their animals and, in a network with other zoos, trade them around so that genetic diversity is maintained and the species all stay healthy. Zoos have done great work in breeding endangered and threatened animals to expand genetically healthy populations and, when circumstances allow, return some animals to sanctuaries in their natural range to bolster wild populations. The Cincinnati Zoo, along with others, rehabilitates manatees injured in the wild so that they can be returned to their natural habitat once they are healed. Zoos raise money for conservation projects in countries that could not afford them otherwise and being able to see animals close up encourages people to care about endangering species and to donate to organizations that help protect and maintain them. Zoos are fun to visit , but they are also an important part of the effort to conserve threatened animal populations and their environments.

[@YoelAndMari]

wow that great for the cincinnati zoo

[@rebeccataylor8981]

Thank you so much for your post, Katrina! You've mentioned so many details that my post likely left out. I taught environmental education programs in an AZA-accredited zoo several years ago, and am used to babbling all those things out at lightning speed in the brief time frame of each presentation in a desperate attempt to cover all things important; slowing down and typing it all out is almost more than my crappy computer can handle. ;D

[@katrinaprescott5911]

@@rebeccataylor8981 I don't have the practical experience you do. I am just a season pass holder and fan of my local zoo. I am proud of all they do.

[@rebeccataylor8981]

@@katrinaprescott5911 Hey, if you support a decent zoo then you're not just a fan, you're a part of it, and deserve saluting! ~salutes~

[@gabebriel9359]

I'm glad you both were able to come down to the world famous iconic legendary award winning San Diego Zoo. All of Balboa Park, which also includes plenty of museums (photography, human body, modern art to name a few) that also includes the zoo is one of our best jewels that we greatly appreciate. The Spanish architecture where most of the museums are at are all truly amazing. The joy in Yoel's eyes is truly heartwarming. His appreciation for this new journey can be seen in his eyes. haven't been in years, now you've both inspired me to go lol. Love watching your videos. Ty for keeping me grounded with your amazingness. You're both greatly appreciated 😊🫶🏾🙏🏽

[@YoelAndMari]

wow that be nice to go ,thanks

[@FleshGolem420]

@@YoelAndMari Balboa park has an amazing model train museum he might enjoy as well.

[@Uberbeaster_]

just found you guys' channel today and it makes me so happy to see Yoel enjoy this country and everything it has to offer. people in my generation (i'm 26) could learn a thing or two about how to appreciate how good we really have it in this country. much love from Tennessee

[@Allaiya.]

If you’re near Columbus, Ohio, I have heard the Safari park/camping in The Wilds is really neat. Also the Monterey CA aquarium is really good. Or seeing the redwoods /sequoias if you haven’t before. I’ve been to Muir Woods & it was neat. I believe I read somewhere the increasing California wildfires supposedly risk destroying them one day.

[@richarddoucet6617]

I love that he wears the Dallas Stars hat and it is great to see the game experience has imprinted on him enough that he wears the gear. I love all of the videos and seeing his reaction gives me a deeper appreciation for all the things we have around us. Keep being awesome.

[@leamacleod5903]

Do you send your videos home to Cuba to your family to see? Bet they would be so thrilled and happy to see your adventures and how well you are doing.

[@YoelAndMari]

I want that but it makes me very sad that they see how beautiful the world is if knowing that he can't do it is sa

[@theboogeyman9813]

Zoos make me sad. But you guys make me happy.

[@Gonk]

If ur still in California check out those Giant sequoia trees, Farmlands, Dessert, and beaches.

[@YoelAndMari]

We already went, it's great, we made a similar video, it was incredible, beautiful

[@cliffordschaffer5289]

@@YoelAndMari FYI, as a result of the recent snowstorms, the Sierra waterfalls will be at record levels this year, if you are in the area again.

[@PaulMeyer]

Y'all need to visit the State Fair of Texas in September. That'll blow his mind. It still blows mine after all of these years.

[@ginadarco2440]

You should plan a trip to Philadelphia to see all the historic sites.

[@YoelAndMari]

yeess we will try

[@jillcrowe2626]

The lions in the San Diego Zoo are basically in a geriatric facility. The young ones are kept 30 miles north at the San Diego Safari Park, a breeding facility that is also a zoo, but has newer animals in small, 2 acre enclosures. At the Safari Park, they're working on breeding endangered species to populate the American zoos without taking anything from the natural environment. Our young female lions are from Texas.

[@jillcrowe2626]

The 9 elephants at the Safari Park are in an 18 acre enclosure where they get much exercise.

[@yugioht42]

Unfortunately a lot of animals you don’t see because they are endangered to the point of them being kept in the back and underground for breeding programs for reintroduction into the wild. Certain frog species are so endangered and so specific to a single ecosystem that every zoo is desperate to bring them back from the brink. The New York Zoo in Central Park is also worth a look into along with the aquarium on Coney Island. They help bring back some rare species back as the are so endangered.

[@YoelAndMari]

I SUPPORT THE CARE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

[@DrForester54]

@@YoelAndMari Good to hear. In that case, you might be interested to learn about some of the endangered plant species in the U.S., particularly tree species. For example, I am involved in restoration efforts for Ozark Chinquapin, a chestnut species that was decimated by chestnut blight (introduced fungal disease) along with American chestnut and Allegheny Chinquapin. Through the hard work of the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation and others utilizing naturally blight resistant genetic lines, there is actually some hope for this species. Unfortunately we have not been as fortunate with many others. Anyway, I love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@pisces228]

I grew up in San Diego and loved to go to the zoo on school field trips. When I was a teen, I even got to ride an elephant at the zoo! It's so beautiful there. Thank you for sharing! ❤

[@krisshell4773]

Come to Ohio and visit Amish country. It is amazing to see a culture thrive that does not use the main stream life like electricity. The food is awesome. The shopping is great with home made items. If you're lucky you could see a barn raising. The have zoo where you ride in wagons an feed the animals. A lot of things you can do.

[@amyseals4880]

The Amish are the biggest animal abusers. They have horrible puppy Mills.

[@tremo2731]

There is another zoo down there in San Diego County that you HAVE to check out next time. It's called the Wild Animal Park.

[@badgodsit]

Seriously can’t believe that you guys were in San Diego!?!? I’m as San Diegan as they come!! I really hope you two had a blast at the zoo. I’ve been going there my whole life, and bought memberships for my family after my son was born (speaking of which…donde esta el bebe?😳). But I really hope you guys had an amazing time, and maybe even took a drive to In-N-Out before heading back home. It’s just a hamburger, but I grew up on that 💩…and damn it’s delicious. Love you both, and keep spreading truth about the horrors of Socialism!!!! ☺️🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@YoelAndMari]

helen gracais por vernoss ehehe is bello el zoo , el bb todabia heheeh

[@badgodsit]

@@YoelAndMari “todabia” jajajaja, pues nos vemos.😜 Y sigue hechandole ganas! Mucho amor 😌🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@mexi72]

When I was 7 my class went on a field trip to the San Diego Zoo. Can't remember much about it cause it was 44 years ago. All I could think about was the I was at the Zoo from Three's Company.

[@SherriLyle80s]

I hope you guys can visit Animal Kingdom ar Walt Disney World one day. The park is absolutely huge and they let the animals roam in acres of reserved areas.

[@YoelAndMari]

we try hehe

[@timfeeley714-25]

The Bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle! The Space Needle with the world's only revolving glass floor at 500 feet above ground, the first Starbucks, the Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Rainier National Park, The Museum Of Flight etc... etc... And the famous Paseos Caribbean restaurant for the best sandwiches you've ever eaten! P.S. July, August and September are best for absolute cloudless blue skies and incredible views.

[@YoelAndMari]

Isnt Seattle always gray though? jeje

[@timfeeley714-25]

@@YoelAndMari It has that reputation and yes a good part of the year can be gray and drizzly, but summers are usually glorious, some years we have less rain in July August September and October than Phoenix, every so often we have years when it only rains a few times from May thru October It's also a major port and diverse international city. Who knows though this may be the year it rains on Hydroplane Sunday 🤣 P.S. I'm not kidding about those sandwiches, look them up on Google.

[@DCXLVIXIII]

Snoqualmie Falls and Salish Lodge are great, We've got some zoos too, Point Defiance zoo and aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium and Northwest Trek where you can drive your car through a free-range area and see grizzly bears black bears wolves coyotes mountain lions bison elk mountain goat's bighorn sheep etc... It's awesome!

[@MrBill-MustDie]

And the hills the greenest green in Seattle Like a beautiful child, growing up free and wild Full of hopes and full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears Full of dreams to last the years in Seattle

[@willkels9196]

San Diego Zoo is a masterpiece of a zoo. The first time we were there the employee at the entrance gave us a great tip. The zoo is basically built into a huge hill and the entrance is at the bottom. They told us to go directly left first thing, check out everything there then catch the gondola UP the hill to the top and THEN work your way down zig-zag style so you are walking downhill all day instead of up hill. She said people with small kids usually get gassed half way through going up hill and have a meltdown.

[@lilburro3]

Go Stars!!! As a Texan I love seeing you representing Big D! So happy and proud for you guys!

[@solominded]

Very cool video and that lizard was cool 😏. You guys should do a guided tour of Yosemite or Sequoia National Park during spring, its breath taking. Edit: Talk to the park rangers, they are basically a bunch of tree huggers and some of the coolest people i know.

[@YoelAndMari]

hehehe goodd idea

[@bellalibelula684]

Muchas gracias familia.

[@peripilot]

The quality of your videos is just getting better and better Yoel & Mari. Well done! Re: evolution or God? Definitely evolution IMHO. P.S. Did you see Donald Trump behind a cage with a load of other monkeys by any chance? 🤣

[@YoelAndMari]

THANKS ,THANK YOU, IT MAKES ME FEEL GREAT

[@labratamber]

Your life just shows how much we take advantage of what we have here.

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks , that is truth

[@officialJOY1229]

🙏 🌎

[@garyballard179]

Our local zoo, Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX, started in Mr Caldwell's backyard, and overtook his neighborhood. He left the zoo in the city's care, with the stipulation that admission remain free forever. The zoo was funded by Caldwell's personal fortune and by private donations for decades, but by the turn of the millennium it was too expensive to maintain by private donations and was forced to start charging for admission. It remains my favorite zoo, and it's also involved in endangered animal breeding programs, including work with the San Diego Zoo. When my family took a trip to San Diego, one of the rhinos at the wildlife park was from our very own zoo. We flew halfway across the country only to encounter a rhino we'd seen dozens of times at home 😂

[@rebeccataylor8981]

DUDE! I'm a retired staff member of that zoo! :D (no idea how to work the smiley emoji) I was a teacher in their education department for 15 years -- from about 1984 to 1999, if I remember correctly. If you came as part of a school group during that time period, I may have given your class a program. I'd have been the skinny brunette young adult white girl with glasses who told kids that the snake's skin felt like the surface of a football, while pretending I didn't notice that said snake was slowly disappearing up my shirt sleeve or sticking its face practically up my nose, as the children wet themselves laughing. But one of the funniest moments was when my elderly co-worker, Ben, showed his group a tarantula (she was very docile and used to being held) and a kid asked in a quavering voice, "Can't it bite you?" Ben smiled angelically and said, "Yeah." The kid looked alarmed and asked, "Then why are you letting it sit on you?" and Ben replied with that same innocent smile, "'Cause I wanna get paid on Friday."

[@friartalk6060]

It was definitely the artistry of CHRIST ALMIGHTY that designed the beauty of nature. Don't sell out to the world, what good to gain the whole world and lose one's soul?

[@jocelynb8669]

If you are still in San Diego the Midway is amazing and all the memorials to The Greatest Generation.

[@mj6962]

So who is Marissa??? LOL

[@YoelAndMari]

the hipo hehehehe

[@chrismcdaniel6035]

when I was a kid the Fort Worth Zoo had the pool at the corner of the tiger cage and one of the tigers would wait until 20 people would stand at the corner then it would jump in the water and splash everyone and go back to it's rock to sit and I swear the tiger would smile about what it did. was o funny

[@YoelAndMari]

woww so nicee eheheh

[@chuiyi7751]

Is the zoo in Cuba really that terrible?

[@marcieharreld286]

Thank you for visiting our beautiful zoo!! It's one of the best things about San Diego!!💕💕

[@ryanawilson8549]

Totally thought it only had one zoo

[@YoelAndMari]

I mean the other ones are pretty small lol

[@terrieosterhout7176]

I love you both. Prayers for Cuba

[@hankhaney3785]

Cuba is a "communist" govt., not just a socialist one...glad to help !

[@tessaburris7386]

Out of Africa in Arizona is A WONDERFUL Place

[@ryanawilson8549]

You were "shipped" to Africa?

[@YoelAndMari]

Hahaha for lack of a better word

[@ryanawilson8549]

@@YoelAndMari I'm picturing you in a wooden box with air holes in it 🤣🤣🤣

[@theneurologist1]

​@@ryanawilson8549 hahaha same here! Like in the movie Madagascar! 😂

[@ryanawilson8549]

@theneurologist3060 yes!

[@vickiechandler3112]

yeah i want to know more of the story there too. lol

[@randygonzalez1375]

You guys should definitely come to New Mexico and check out the balloon fiesta and also try out our food n culture here !!!

[@hominem3731]

I love how grateful you are and I am humbled because sometimes we take it for granted. Dios the bendiga hermano, mucho aprecio de un hermano de Puerto Rico.

[@jaythomas9909]

Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee.

[@marichele]

If you go to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo you can feed the giraffes. They have 15+ giraffes.

[@YoelAndMari]

woow that go plan

[@marichele]

@@YoelAndMari They have a youtube channel!

[@pattiwhite9575]

I use to live in San Diego. The zoo was so good even then when it was smaller. I got a chance to go back and revisit San Diego and the zoo 25 years later with my teenage son, sister and nephew. We were blow away at what a great zoo it is. My favorite was the gorilla's. They did such a great job of creating that area. So happy you too got to enjoy a day full of a great zoo.

[@patrickunderhill2901]

Disney World, extremely expensive but all the different theme parks. At least a week to enjoy everything! 😄

[@markthompson9056]

I lived near the San Diego Zoo during my college years. Great zoo. Glad the both of you enjoyed the experience.

[@AngelaSealana]

Mother Nature is beautiful ❤ Thank you for sharing your experience with us

[@jocelynb8669]

Come to Northern California and see where the Redwoods meet the sea. The redwoods are so majestic. Crescent City Ca in Del Norte County has some great Redwood trails Stout Grove and Walker Road loop trail and The Smith River is cleanest River in the nation. Home of The Yurok Tribe and many other Natives. The Redwoods are a MUST SEE.

[@cliffordschaffer5289]

Correct. The Redwoods are a MUST SEE. There are a number of places to see them. There is one nice park just north of Santa Cruz, near Monterey.

[@valkyrie1066]

LOL I love this! Yes, we enjoy the San Diego Zoo!!! I lived in Cuba (GTMO) for seven years, LOVED the people there! So happy to see you HERE now! Our favorite was the Okapi!

[@waynewheeler7929]

I'm enjoying watching your videos! You both are so entertaining on camera. With all the gripes I have of the US these days, I appreciate being reminded that we really are very fortunate overall. As a side note, I've been to Cuba (Havana, Camaguey, Matanzas, and Veradero Beach) and the Cuban people were fantastic- very friendly and welcoming. I wish all the best for Cuba and its people. Muchimas gracias.

[@MaLeaAnya]

When I was a kid we would go to the San Francisco zoo. My favorite part was the 2:00 feeding time for the lions. The building was concrete and if you roared they would all roar back and the whole building would shake you would shake too. ❤🦁

[@gingermama7823]

Georgia Aquarium!!!! My brother lives in Georgia and every time I visit I make him take me there! It is one of the best, if not THE best, Aquarium in the U.S.

[@Ajs8180]

I just stumbled on your page in the last day and I’ve binged watched so many of your videos. I’ve learned from social media to ignore the negativity that people give they’re either trolling or miserable people. I enjoy seeing Yoel’s reaction and I’ve had my kids sit and watch some so they can see that we all take for granted what is natural for all of us…. Welcome to America and I look forward to watching more of your content. 🤍

[@david5544g]

That was beautiful.... Your kids are lucky.. take care.

[@mysticrow3578]

My wife & I are so happy for the both of you. We are from San Diego. Now that you have seen the SD Zoo. You need to see it's sister Zoo, The San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido. It's even better! God bless you both. ❤

[@WILD__THINGS]

He was overwhelmed by the beauty and they hadn't even entered the zoo yet 😂

[@denisesbona7738]

So happy your doing these videos..I get to travel along with you

[@YoelAndMari]

thanks Denise , came one day eheheh

[@Seven_Craig]

You guys are great! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. I frequently travel around Florida and when I have the chance to meet and eat with Cuban Floridians I always ha e a great time. The stories they tell are all the same. It really makes one appreciate whay we take for granted in the US. Welcome. I hope to see more of your travels. It would be great to see a video of you guys in south Florida. Take care.

[@Idealdeath8304]

The Bronx zoo in New York is my favorite. Love that place. Never been to the San Diego zoo. But one day I will

[@YoelAndMari]

try is so nice

[@toddhendricks8239]

White water rafting from jackson hole whyomie on the snake river.. It is a real blast in high water