Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
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| Jacksonville Zoological Gardens | |
| Location | Jacksonville, Florida, US |
| Land area | 110 acres (0.45 km²) |
| # of Animals | 2,000 |
| Accreditations/ Memberships |
AZA |
| Website | |
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The Jacksonville Zoological Gardens (or Jacksonville Zoo) in Jacksonville, Florida, is the largest zoo between Atlanta, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida, on the eastern coast of the United States. The zoo occupies approximately 110 acres (44.5 hectares; 0.45 square kilometers; 0.17 square miles) and has over 2,000 animals in its collection.
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[edit] Exhibits
[edit] Birds of the Rift Valley
The Birds of the Rift Valley Aviary opened in April 1996. Home to 72 birds of 20 different species, the Birds of the Rift Valley attempts to duplicate the conditions of the wilds of East Africa. A two-story enclosure covering 9,000 square feet (836 square meters) allows such birds as yellow-billed storks, saddle-billed storks, golden-breasted starlings, lesser flamingoes, and turacos to fly about freely.
[edit] Plains of East Africa
Guests walk along a 1,400-foot (427-meter) boardwalk to see most of the animals. This exhibit was extensively renovated in 1996 and will undergo another renovation in the early 21st century. At over 10 acres (4 hectares), it is the largest exhibit on zoo grounds, in term of size. However, the Range of the Jaguar exhibit is larger in terms of number of animals present.
The Nile Crocodile Exhibit is the first exhibit at the Plains. The Nile crocodile is the largest of African reptiles and can grow 14-16 feet long. Mainly found in sub-Sahara Africa, Nile crocodiles specialize in preying on large mammals.
The Wart Hog Exhibit is across from the Nile crocodiles. Arriving in August 1996, this is the first time in Jacksonville Zoo history that wart hogs have been exhibited.
The Kori Bustard Exhibit is across from the center antelope exhibit and houses one male and three female Kori bustards, the largest flighted African bird.
The Antelope Exhibit is in the center of the loop around the Plains. Home to eastern bongo, impala, and African hornbills, the exhibit is spacious and tree-shaded. In addition, this exhibit has become a home for a large breeding colony for the highly endangered Wood Stork, native to Florida.
The Cheetah Exhibit, a 300-foot long, 50-foot wide area is home to the zoos two Cheetahs. Cheetahs are capable of running 70 mph, the fastest four-legged animal in the world.
White rhinoceros, greater kudu, sitatunga and Masai ostrich inhabit the areas at the end of the boardwalk. This 2.5-acre exhibit allows plenty of room for the animals to roam.
Cape Buffalo and Zebras are located further along the boardwalk.
Elephant Plaza offers an intimate view of the 4 African Elephants at the zoo in their 275,000-gallon pool. Included in the same area in the reptile building, home to some of the world's deadliest snakes, and outside there are vultures, bats, and a host of other animals.
Mahali Pa Simba ("Place of the Lion" in Swahili) is the one-acre home to the zoo's two male lions. This was the first of the new exhibits to open on the redesigned and expanded Plains of East Africa.
Colobus Monkeys live in the area in front of the lions. Colobus monkeys, from East Africa, move by leaping from tree to tree and can be seen in action in their lively exhibit.
Leopards are along the southern end of the boardwalk. The exhibit is highlighted by the gigantic artificial tree in the center of the exhibit that the leopards love to sleep and play on.
A short distance away is the renovated Giraffe exhibit. The renovation more than doubled the Giraffe exhibit from 3/4 of an acre to more than 2 acres. In addition, the zoo is expected to expand the heard from the current 4 Giraffes to as many as 8. Several antelope species share the yard with the giraffes.
[edit] Great Apes of the World
Great Apes of the World opened in August 1999 and allows visitors to take an up close look at all three kinds of primates. The three primates are the apes, monkeys, and the prosimians. The apes consist of the western lowland gorilla, the chimpanzee, and the bonobo. The monkeys consist of the mandrill and the pygmy marmoset. The prosimians consist of the ring-tailed lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur, and the red ruffed lemur.
[edit] Range of the Jaguar
This exhibit won the 2005 AZA exhibit of the year award. The exhibit is the largest in terms of number of animals. The exhibit features the largest Jaguar exhibit in North America, with many pools of water for the animals to play in. Currently, the zoo has 4 Jaguars in its collection. The Lost Temple serves as another animal exhibit, featuring Anacondas, bird-eating tarantulas, giant marine toads, poison dart frogs, vampire bats, alligator lizards, Amazon tree boas, sloths, fish, and more. The Rivers Edge features Anteaters, Bairds Tapir, Capybara, Squirrel Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, and White Faced Saki Monkeys. The Emerald Forest Aviary is the largest aviary on zoo grounds. The aviary houses over 100 birds, including Harpy Eagles, Macaws, Cuckoos, Herons, along with Otters, and one of the largest freshwater fish, the Arapaima.
[edit] Australian Adventure
Open March 2002, The Outback Steakhouse's Australian Adventure attraction is the first new major exhibit at the south end of the Zoo since 1995. Animals included in this South Pacific attraction include the cassowary, lorikeets, kangaroos, wallabies and the much-adored koalas.
[edit] Wild Florida
New Florida Wetlands "Wild Florida" Opened March 31, 2001. This new attraction includes a 2.5 acres of natural wetlands consisting of native animals and plants. "Wild Florida" is home to black bears, otters, red wolves, bald eagles, bobcats, alligators, Florida panthers, white-tail deer, two owl species and various reptiles and amphibians.
Reptile House at Wild Florida The Reptile House is home to more than 25 different species of reptiles and amphibians, including the eastern indigo snake, one of several threatened species protected by the State of Florida. The alligators are presently located just north of the reptile house, and are fed every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. during the warm weather months.
[edit] Play Park
Phase one of the Jacksonville Zoo's 2.5 acre Play Park opened in May of 2006 across from the Range of the Jaguar. When completed, the Play Park will include the Splash Ground and Plaza, a cafe, a discovery building, a forest play area, two mazes, a petting zoo, an otter exhibit, a squirrel monkey exhibit, and the adventure camp.
[edit] Future exhibits
[edit] Monsoon Asia
A major exhibit scheduled to be opened in two phases, the first in 2007. The first phase will feature Tigers, the first time the zoo has exhibited tigers since 1995. The second phase in 2008 will feature other South East Asian and Indian animals, such as Komodo dragons, Indian rhinoceroses, and orangutans.
[edit] Renovation of the Plains of East Africa
A renovation is expected of the Plains of East Africa Exhibit some time in the next few years, perhaps as soon as the winter of 2007. The planned renovations include replacing many of the old post railings and putting in plexi-glass so it is easier for small children and wheel-chair bound guests to see the animals. The boardwalk will be lowered in some spots to provide up-close encounters with the animals. In addition, the Cheetah and White Rhino exhibits will be reconfigured allowing for a new Hippo exhibit between them.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] External links
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Conservation biology | List of zoos | List of zoo associations | Zoological Garden | Menagerie | Tourist attraction | Wildlife Conservation | Endangered species |
