Finding friends at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is truly one of a kind. Throughout its nearly 110 years of operation, it has received countless awards, both nationally and locally. Additionally, it is home to over 2,000 animals and over 1,000 varieties of plants, has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for over 30 years and runs over 25 education programs for different age groups. With these extraordinary statistics, it may be difficult to imagine the zoo's beginnings. So, what is the zoo's story, and what does it offer for guests today?
The story began with a simple, singular red-tailed deer on May 12, 1914. The deer was gifted to the city, and so a small zoo known as the Municipal Zoo was opened to house the deer in Springfield Park, on the corner of 3rd and Broad streets. After discovering the public's abundant interest in the animal, the city opted to add more, and by 1915, the zoo had expanded to offer multiple exhibits, mostly including local and native wildlife, such as black bears and foxes. It was the first of its kind in the area, and the visitors loved it.
A big change came later in 1915, when the zoo decided to become home to an exhibit of primates. This marked the first “exotic” animal exhibit, a change which would stay for the rest of the zoo's longevity. The reception was positive, and thus, by 1916, more exotics had been added.
As the years went on, it became apparent that a change was needed. The zoo had reached its maximum occupancy, and besides that, some neighbors began to complain. Then, a flood in December 1916 overtook the zoo. Though there were no fatalities, animals were supposedly up to their necks in water; the danger was clear. Springfield Park was no longer a suitable venue for the zoo's ever-growing exhibits, and so the city set out to find a new home for it.
Nearly a decade later, their efforts were rewarded in July 1924. The 37.5 acres known as the Trout River location off Heckscher Drive, was selected to become the zoo's forever home. From then on, it continued expanding. Two years later, their first Asian elephant arrived at the zoo; her acquisition was funded as a community effort by schoolchildren. This elephant exhibit, funded by locals and love, would later receive national attention.
Despite the zoo's status as the best zoo in the southeast, it experienced a financial crisis beginning in the 1960s. However, just as the community had stepped together to help it grow, it stepped together to keep it afloat during the difficult time, and with success! By the 1990s, the beloved zoo had not only been saved, but began to expand again courtesy of a combination of public funds and private donations amounting to over 20 million dollars.
Not long after, the zoo decided to widen its focus to include more than just animals. Botany was identified as another way for guests to connect with the natural world and learn, and so, a new secondary focus on botanical gardens was instituted. There are gardens dedicated exclusively to plants, but the zoo also strives to incorporate its gardens inside the animals' exhibits for a natural and immersive experience. This led to a name change in 2003, when it rebranded from Jacksonville Zoo to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. It has kept this name ever since.
The growth the zoo has undergone is clear by seeing it today—over 100 acres of land are occupied by over 2,000 animals and over 1,000 plants. Despite this growth, the zoo has remained a nonprofit organization with a clear focus on their mission: connecting communities with wildlife and wild places. They have continued to play an essential role, not only in educating their guests, but conserving wildlife through its many programs. To this day, a portion of each purchased ticket is set aside to support over 45 conservation initiatives, both local and worldwide.
The zoo's impact extends far beyond just entertaining its guests. It has also played an essential role in the preservation of threatened and endangered species of plants and animals, which visitors can help support simply by buying a ticket. Currently, one of the zoo's most extensive undertakings is their Marine Mammal Response Team, which works hand in hand with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This program is centered on rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing manatees, a local endangered species. One such patient was Asha, a manatee who was successfully rehabilitated despite her dire circumstances in March 2021. She was found at Halifax River in Volusia County, where she was underweight and severely cold-stressed. Much like with frostbite in humans, cold stress in a manatee is very dangerous. For her, it was so serious that much of the skin on the right side of her body was lost, leaving her rescuers unsure if she would survive. However, Asha was not willing to give up so easily. Not only did she recover, but she thrived. She became a very social manatee, and as a result, learned the skills she needed to live, not just in captivity, but in the wild. This led to her release on Feb. 13, 2023 at Blue Spring State Park. Since then, Asha has been spotted and is happy and strong with other manatees. That is just one of the zoo's many success stories.
There is never a dull day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Given its size, it is no wonder that things are always changing. There are always exciting new developments taking place—new exhibits to see, and in turn, new things to learn! So what does the zoo have to offer for guests today?
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens experience is one of education and enjoyment. Aside from the enriching opportunity to marvel at unique animals and plants, there are also plenty of exciting activities for guests of all ages, especially if they purchase a Total Experience ticket. Total Experience tickets truly live up to their name, offering guests the opportunity to visit exclusive exhibits, take an exciting train ride tour around the zoo, enjoy the 4D theater, and attend animal feedings and share in other fun activities.
One such activity is the Nature Agent Adventure, which began Aug. 15. This is a unique wildlife scavenger hunt designed for ages four and up. It combines technology and real-world sights to create an interactive adventure full of discovery. This activity utilizes a completely free app connected with a Nature Agent Smart Compass to help guide you to each discovery point. Along the way, participants of all ages will conquer challenges and learn about the zoo's fascinating population of plants and animals. Even adults may learn new things throughout their adventures!
More exciting events are just around the corner. The annual Spooktacular Halloween celebration will be arriving in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep up with the latest developments on the zoo's website. There are always new events to celebrate the holidays and welcome the seasons. They host plenty of other opportunities for fun experiences, such as camps during summer, winter and spring; they even host overnight sleepovers. Make sure you keep an eye out so that you don't miss any chance of having a bold new adventure!
An iconic, permanent feature of the Total Experience is being able to attend animal feedings. Feedings are an excellent way to closely observe unique animals and their behaviors and get to know them better than ever before. Feedings are available for several kinds of animals, such as giraffes, lorikeets and stingrays. Speaking of stingrays, guests will even have the opportunity to pet them! It is certainly an experience that will never be forgotten.
Best of all is that every ticket bought helps fund the zoo's important work, such as their conservation efforts and strides in education. It is a way for people, not only enjoy a fun day out, but to help make a real impact on the natural world beyond. Though it may seem to only be a small contribution, just as there is no such thing as a species too small to cherish, there is no such thing as a small impact we can make—and perhaps supporting Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens may be your first step in making it. For more information on Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, please visit their website, www.jacksonvillezoo.org.