Jacksonville Florida Zoo’s main facility has a 26,000 square foot thatched roof that was created by 24 Zulu craftsmen from South Africa. It is the only structure of its kind in North America. It houses the Mombasa Import/Export Company, a 2,500 square foot gift shop; The Main Camp Cafe, a food kiosk; First Aid/Security, Stroller and Wheelchair rental; The Samburu Room, a 1900 square foot meeting room; Shaba Terrace, a 69,000 square foot open air facility directly under the thatched roof. Both the Samburu Room and Shaba Terrace can be rented.
The Birds of the Rift Valley
The Birds of the Rift Valley attempts to duplicate the conditions of the wilds of East Africa where the Great Rift Valley’s vast geological fracture is home to spectacular glaciers, volcanoes and lakes and offers some of the most breathtaking scenery and wildlife on earth.
This two-story enclosure covering 9,000 square feet (836 sm) is home to some 72 birds of 20 different species and allows winged-creatures such as the yellow billed stork, gold breasted starling, lesser flamingos and turacos to fly about freely.
The Plains of East Africa
Cheetahs are capable of running 70 mph (105 kmph); the fastest four-legged animal in the world.
Walk along the quarter of a mile (427m) boardwalk overlooking the Plains of East Africa and see the native animals in their large, open-air environment. Here guests will see the Nile crocodile, the wart hog, the kori bustard (largest flighted African bird), the zebra, the white rhinoceros, the gazelle, Cape buffalo, the antelope and cheetahs along the walk.
Elephant Plaza offers an intimate view of the elephants 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. The Mahali Pa Simba (Place of the Lion in Swahili) is the one acre Home to our two male lions. The colobus monkeys and leopard can also be seen at the southern end of the African boardwalk.
Wild Florida
Florida's Bald Eagles make up approximately 86% of the entire southern Bald Eagle population.
This attraction includes 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, various reptiles, whitetail deer and various wetland owl species.
Reptile House at Wild Florida
The Reptile House is home to more than 25 different species of reptiles, including the Eastern Indigo snake, one of several threatened species protected by the State of Florida. The alligators are presently located across from the reptile house, and are fed every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. during the warm weather.
The Outback Steakhouse’s Australian Adventure
Australia Koalas are actually marsupials, not bears, which mean that they carry their young in a pouch.
Animals in this South Pacific attraction include the cassowary, lorikeets, kangaroos, wallabies and the widely admired koalas. A highlight of this attraction is the lorikeets that can be fed by visitors to the zoo.
Wildlife Carousel
The carousel features 34 beautifully hand designed and hand painted animals, such as a jaguar, giraffe, manatee and ostrich. With its timeless appeal and classic design, the Wildlife Carousel is destined to become one of the Jacksonville Zoo’s most beloved attractions for generations to come.
Giraffe Overlook & Savanna Blooms
Giraffes are the tallest of all animals and can reach up to 20 feet (almost 7 meters) in height.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens redesigned the viewing area for the Giraffe exhibit allowing guests to get eye to eye with the giraffes. This allows for a true appreciation of how tall Giraffes can be. As part of this viewing area the first of many Botanical Gardens was created, called Savanna Blooms. The plants that are part of this garden can all be found in the African Savanna.
Great Apes
This exhibit allows visitors to take an up close look at the apes including the western lowland gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees. 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.
Range of the Jaguar
Jaguars are the largest cats in the Western Hemisphere.
Range of the Jaguar won the 2005 AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) exhibit of the year award. The exhibit features the largest Jaguar exhibit in North America and has numerous pools of water for the animals to play in.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens currently have four Jaguars, “Bruno” and “Gigi” which were brought to the Zoo in the summer of 1998 on loan from Venezuela, and “Salsa” and “Onca”, who were raised by Zoo staff after fear that their mother would harm them. Although this attraction highlights the jaguars, other animals that guests will encounter include golden lion tamarins, tapirs, capybaras, giant river otters, anteaters and a variety of reptiles, fish and bird species.
Kids’ Zone
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens new 2.5 acre Kids’ Zone includes of a splash zone area that incorporates life size models of Florida’s costal animals, including whales, dolphins and manta rays. In addition, there is a forest play area, a maze and a dining deck. As part of the Zoo’s continued dedication to education, the Kids’ Zone focuses on various aspects of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms that also allow for children to learn through play. An otter exhibit and a squirrel monkey exhibit are part of the Kids’ Zone as well as a discovery building and animal care facility where children can get up close and actually touch the animals.
The Jacksonville Florida Zoo has a land area of 120 acres and has about 700 volunteers working in all areas of zoo operations. For more information, tickets for Jacksonville zoo, news & events and hours & admission visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens website.
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