| Date opened |
16 February 1978 (as The Zoo Northwest Florida) |
|---|---|
| Location | Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA |
| Land area | 50 acres (20 ha)[2] |
| Major exhibits | train ride |
| Website | http://www.gulfbreezezoo.org |
Gulf Breeze Zoo (originally The Zoo Northwest Florida) is a 50-acre (20 ha) zoo located in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
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Plagued by financial troubles since Hurricane Ivan struck the area in 2004, the zoo closed on 17 August 2009, awaiting the decisions from the governments of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to provide $125,000 each in funding.[3]
On 20 August 2009, zoo officials announced that the closure of the Zoo would be permanent.[3]
The zoo was purchased by Virginia Safari Park of Natural Bridge, Va. in December 2009, and was reopened on 18 February 2010 as Gulf Breeze Zoo.[1][4]
A path through the zoo gardens lets visitors see many animals including primates, large cats, bears and birds. It leads to a large petting area, a giraffe feeding station, and indoor reptile and bat exhibits. A raised boardwalk lets visitors see herds of deer, wildebeest, and ostrich, as well as cape hunting dogs, and watch the activity on Chimp Island.[2]
A miniature train takes visitors on a 20-minute guided tour, where they can see deer, antelope, and zebras roaming in a 30-acre (12 ha) enclosure, and get a close view of gorillas and Nile hippos.[2]
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