Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a place where nature rules and wildlife lives in the middle of the busy city of Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens started out small in 1914 with just one red deer fawn. Since then, it has grown into one of the best places to visit in Jacksonville, giving more than a million people amazing experiences every year. The zoo and gardens cover 117 acres and have more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 plant types. It's a great place for families, people who love nature, and people who like to take pictures.
When you go to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, you won't just see animals in cages. Instead, you'll be immersed in wildlife scenery from all over the world. The award-winning shows at the zoo, like "Land of the Tiger," "Plains of East Africa," and "Wild Florida," are set up in naturalistic ways that are good for the animals and help people learn more about the different species and where they live. In the "Land of the Tiger" exhibit, tigers and babirusas can move around easily thanks to a new trail system. The 'Range of the Jaguar' was named the best zoo exhibit in the country by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It takes you to a lost Mayan city full of jaguars, giant river otters, and spider monkeys.
The zoo doesn't just care about animals when it comes to protection. The Gardens at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens are a big part of what the zoo and gardens are all about. The botanical gardens are one of only seven zoos in the country with a formal botanical garden. They have a number of special gardens, such as the Asian Bamboo Garden and the Savanna Blooms garden. The gardens are an important part of protecting plant species, and their many colors and shapes make the zoo a more interesting place to visit. Animal feedings and other opportunities to interact with animals are important parts of a trip to the zoo. You can feed and touch Atlantic stingrays and bonnethead sharks in "Stingray Bay," and "Giraffe Overlook" gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to feed the largest land animals.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens wants to teach the next generation to love nature, so there are many kid-friendly things to do there. The "Play Park and Splash Ground" is a great place for kids to cool off in the summer, and the "4D Theater" is an intense movie experience that brings nature to life. Annual events like 'Spooktacular' Halloween and 'ZOOLights' winter light show make the zoo a fun place for the whole family to enjoy. These events and the zoo's other teaching programs, workshops, and camps show how much the zoo cares about education and getting people involved.
There are more than just animals and plants at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. It is a living, breathing testament to nature’s wonders, fostering respect for wildlife, highlighting the importance of conservation, and providing unforgettable, fun-filled experiences. So, try something different. Let the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens take you on a journey around the globe, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the splendor of wildlife and the serenity of lush gardens. Meet a tiger's majestic roar, a bonobo's funny antics, a giraffe's slow, steady walk, and the foreign beauty of bright plants. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is waiting to reveal the magic and mystery of the natural world.