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Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens

August 20, 2023

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 116-acre (47 ha) zoo and botanical garden located north of Orlando, Florida in Sanford. As a not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, providing experiences that inspire actions on behalf of wildlife. The Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1986.

Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
28°49′40″N 81°18′58″W / 28.827832°N 81.31623°W / 28.827832; -81.31623
Date opened1923
July 4, 1975 in current location
LocationSanford, Florida, United States
Land area116 acres (47 ha)[1]
No. of animals400[2]
MembershipsAZA[3]
Websitecentralfloridazoo.org

History

 
Entrance to the Central Florida Zoo

In 1923, the Central Florida Zoo (then called the Sanford Municipal Zoo) opened its gates for the first time with only a small collection of animals that were donated by the local fire department. In 1941, it was relocated to new facilities where Sanford City Hall now stands. It was moved to its current location on July 4, 1975.[4]

With the support from a group of dedicated citizens, and the donation of a 106-acre piece of land from Seminole County, the Central Florida Zoological Park opened at its current location along Lake Monroe, with Jack Hanna as Director. In 1986 the Central Florida Zoo became accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In 2005, The Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center and ZooLab opened. The buildings feature classroom and hands-on instructional space, as well as a multi-purpose banquet room available for private meeting and event rentals. In 2007, the Zoo officially announced its botanical garden status and became the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The same year, the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground opened.[citation needed]

The zoo closed for over 3 weeks due to Hurricane Ian.[5]

Animals

 
Gorilla.
 
Asian elephants.
 
Green-winged macaw.
 
Hornbill.
 
Aldabra giant tortoise.
 
American aligator.

The Zoo is now home to over 350 animals, representing over 100 species. Guests can take advantage of educational opportunities including keeper chats and animal encounters.

Mammals at the Zoo include black-handed spider monkey, cheetah, clouded leopard, goat, Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, llama, alpaca, lesser spot-nosed guenon, river otter, puma, red ruffed lemur, South African crested porcupine, warthog, Indian rhino, giraffe, fossa, Amur leopard, and more.

Birds at the Zoo include African red-billed hornbill, bald eagle, black-throated magpie-jay, blue-bellied roller, green-winged macaw, guira cuckoo, kookaburra, Palawan peacock-pheasant, Panama yellow-crowned amazon, silvery-cheeked hornbill, spotted thick-knee, wreathed hornbill, violaceous turaco.[6]

Reptiles at the Zoo include Aldabra giant tortoise, American alligator, American crocodile, Aruba Island rattlesnake, black-breasted leaf turtle, black caiman, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, eastern green mamba, eastern coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern hognose, Egyptian cobra, eyelash viper, Florida cottonmouth, Florida pine snake, Gila monster, Grand Cayman Island rock iguana, green tree python, jungle carpet python, king cobra, long-nosed viper, Madagascar tree boa, Neuwied's lancehead snake, New Caledonian giant gecko, New Guinea crocodile monitor, prehensile-tailed skink, red rat snake, red spitting cobra, scarlet kingsnake, southern copperhead, tiger viper, timber rattlesnake, and West African mamba.[6]

Attractions

Within the zoo, a small carousel and splash park can be found. Giraffe feedings and rhino encounters are available for an extra cost. The Little Florida Railroad, a 16 in (406 mm) gauge ridable miniature railway with a G-16 streamliner locomotive originally built in 1951, began operating at the zoo in 2003.[7][8] Following an incident in November 2019 in which a derailment required guests to be hospitalized, the train was closed indefinitely.[8]

Events

The Zoo hosts several annual events, including ZOO Boo Bash and Hippity Hop Adventure. Brews Around the Zoo, a 21 & up only event occurs yearly in the spring. In 2019, the Inaugural Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, was held at the Central Florida Zoo. In partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, 35 hand crafted illuminated lantern elements transformed the Zoo and more than 38,000 guests took part in the event.[citation needed]

Conservation

The Central Florida Zoo has teamed up with The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC/FWRI) and the Florida Museum of Natural History to monitor the state's 68 species of amphibians and help save the 16 species considered to be at greatest risk due to habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, and new wildlife diseases.[9] The Zoo also participates in several AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP), including those for the cheetah, ruffed lemur, Amur leopard, guenon, spider monkey, cotton-top tamarin, rock iguana, and clouded leopard.[10]

The Zoo also operates an offsite conservation center, the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation. This facility helps to breed and release eastern indigo snakes into the wild where they have disappeared.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ . centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  2. ^ "About the Zoo". centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  3. ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. ^ K.D. Tobik, Amy (April 24, 2008). . wpmobserver.com. Winter Park/Maitland Observer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  5. ^ Central Florida Zoo still closed due to Hurricane Ian flooding; here’s how you can help, WFTV, October 20, 2022
  6. ^ a b . centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  7. ^ G-16 History 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b . Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  9. ^ . centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  10. ^ "Species Survival Plan". centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. Retrieved 27 August 2010.

References

  • (PDF). centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.

External links

  •   Media related to Central Florida Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website

August 20, 2023
central, florida, botanical, gardens, acre, botanical, garden, located, north, orlando, florida, sanford, profit, organization, leader, conservation, providing, experiences, that, inspire, actions, behalf, wildlife, been, accredited, member, association, zoos,. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 116 acre 47 ha zoo and botanical garden located north of Orlando Florida in Sanford As a not for profit organization it is a leader in conservation providing experiences that inspire actions on behalf of wildlife The Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums AZA since 1986 Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens28 49 40 N 81 18 58 W 28 827832 N 81 31623 W 28 827832 81 31623Date opened1923July 4 1975 in current locationLocationSanford Florida United StatesLand area116 acres 47 ha 1 No of animals400 2 MembershipsAZA 3 Websitecentralfloridazoo wbr org Contents 1 History 2 Animals 3 Attractions 4 Events 5 Conservation 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksHistory Edit Entrance to the Central Florida ZooIn 1923 the Central Florida Zoo then called the Sanford Municipal Zoo opened its gates for the first time with only a small collection of animals that were donated by the local fire department In 1941 it was relocated to new facilities where Sanford City Hall now stands It was moved to its current location on July 4 1975 4 With the support from a group of dedicated citizens and the donation of a 106 acre piece of land from Seminole County the Central Florida Zoological Park opened at its current location along Lake Monroe with Jack Hanna as Director In 1986 the Central Florida Zoo became accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums AZA In 2005 The Wayne M Densch Discovery Center and ZooLab opened The buildings feature classroom and hands on instructional space as well as a multi purpose banquet room available for private meeting and event rentals In 2007 the Zoo officially announced its botanical garden status and became the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens The same year the Wharton Smith Tropical Splash Ground opened citation needed The zoo closed for over 3 weeks due to Hurricane Ian 5 Animals Edit Gorilla Asian elephants Green winged macaw Hornbill Aldabra giant tortoise American aligator This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience Please help by spinning off or relocating any relevant information and removing excessive detail that may be against Wikipedia s inclusion policy May 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Zoo is now home to over 350 animals representing over 100 species Guests can take advantage of educational opportunities including keeper chats and animal encounters Mammals at the Zoo include black handed spider monkey cheetah clouded leopard goat Hoffmann s two toed sloth llama alpaca lesser spot nosed guenon river otter puma red ruffed lemur South African crested porcupine warthog Indian rhino giraffe fossa Amur leopard and more Birds at the Zoo include African red billed hornbill bald eagle black throated magpie jay blue bellied roller green winged macaw guira cuckoo kookaburra Palawan peacock pheasant Panama yellow crowned amazon silvery cheeked hornbill spotted thick knee wreathed hornbill violaceous turaco 6 Reptiles at the Zoo include Aldabra giant tortoise American alligator American crocodile Aruba Island rattlesnake black breasted leaf turtle black caiman dusky pygmy rattlesnake eastern green mamba eastern coral snake eastern diamondback rattlesnake eastern hognose Egyptian cobra eyelash viper Florida cottonmouth Florida pine snake Gila monster Grand Cayman Island rock iguana green tree python jungle carpet python king cobra long nosed viper Madagascar tree boa Neuwied s lancehead snake New Caledonian giant gecko New Guinea crocodile monitor prehensile tailed skink red rat snake red spitting cobra scarlet kingsnake southern copperhead tiger viper timber rattlesnake and West African mamba 6 Attractions EditWithin the zoo a small carousel and splash park can be found Giraffe feedings and rhino encounters are available for an extra cost The Little Florida Railroad a 16 in 406 mm gauge ridable miniature railway with a G 16 streamliner locomotive originally built in 1951 began operating at the zoo in 2003 7 8 Following an incident in November 2019 in which a derailment required guests to be hospitalized the train was closed indefinitely 8 Events EditThe Zoo hosts several annual events including ZOO Boo Bash and Hippity Hop Adventure Brews Around the Zoo a 21 amp up only event occurs yearly in the spring In 2019 the Inaugural Asian Lantern Festival Into the Wild was held at the Central Florida Zoo In partnership with Tianyu Arts amp Culture 35 hand crafted illuminated lantern elements transformed the Zoo and more than 38 000 guests took part in the event citation needed Conservation EditThe Central Florida Zoo has teamed up with The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute FWC FWRI and the Florida Museum of Natural History to monitor the state s 68 species of amphibians and help save the 16 species considered to be at greatest risk due to habitat loss invasive species climate change and new wildlife diseases 9 The Zoo also participates in several AZA Species Survival Plans SSP including those for the cheetah ruffed lemur Amur leopard guenon spider monkey cotton top tamarin rock iguana and clouded leopard 10 The Zoo also operates an offsite conservation center the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation This facility helps to breed and release eastern indigo snakes into the wild where they have disappeared See also Edit Animals portal Trains portal Florida portalGatorlandNotes Edit Fairwinds Credit Union and the Central Florida Zoo Partner to Bring Rhinoceros Exhibit to the Zoo centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo November 17 2011 Archived from the original on June 15 2012 Retrieved June 15 2012 About the Zoo centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo Retrieved 27 August 2010 List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums aza org Association of Zoos and Aquariums Retrieved 27 August 2010 K D Tobik Amy April 24 2008 New surprises at Central Florida Zoo wpmobserver com Winter Park Maitland Observer Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved June 15 2012 Central Florida Zoo still closed due to Hurricane Ian flooding here s how you can help WFTV October 20 2022 a b Animals and Plants at the Central Florida Zoo centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo Archived from the original on 12 June 2010 Retrieved 27 August 2010 G 16 History Archived 2016 03 03 at the Wayback Machine a b Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens Statement Regarding the Little Florida Railroad Miniature Train Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens February 28 2020 Archived from the original on September 22 2020 Retrieved June 30 2021 Conservation Projects centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo Archived from the original on 5 October 2011 Retrieved 27 August 2010 Species Survival Plan centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo Retrieved 27 August 2010 References Edit Zoo Map PDF centralfloridazoo org Central Florida Zoo Archived from the original PDF on 27 September 2012 Retrieved 23 September 2012 External links Edit Media related to Central Florida Zoo at Wikimedia Commons Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens amp oldid 1168603132, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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