History
The Municipal Zoo opened in the Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida on May 12, 1914. The first animal on exhibit was a red deer fawn.
On July 19, 1925, the Zoo moved to a 37.5-acre site on the Trout River off Heckscher Drive in North Jacksonville. Over the course of the next forty years, the Zoo continued to grow in area and in terms of animals on display.
Perhaps the most significant animal in the Zoo's history was a jaguar named "Zorro." Zorro was a male, wild-born black jaguar that arrived at the Zoo in August, 1967. At that time, black jaguars were very rare in captivity. During Zorro's 19 years at the Zoo (he died in September, 1986) he fathered numerous kittens that were sent to other zoos across North America. In the spring of 2003, the Jax Zoo investigated and could not find a current North American captive born black jaguar that was not a descendant of Zorro.
By the end of the 1960s, the Zoo was reputed to have the largest collection of exotic animals in the Southeast, but it had fallen on hard times and a great deal of money was needed to save the zoo. Community leaders, under the direction of Mayor Hans Tanzler, appointed a seven member committee to search for an alternative to closing the Zoo.
A major redevelopment of the Zoo began in 1992. Through a combination of public funds and private donations, over $20 million was raised to complete Phase One of the Zoo's Master Plan. Projects completed include a new front entry gate and parking lot, the Main Camp entrance, Birds of the Rift Valley Aviary, Great Apes, an expanded train ride, an elephant and breeding complex, RiverBranch Foundation Animal Medical Center, the PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus, and redevelopment of the 11-acre Plains of East Africa.
Front entrance of the zoo.
In December 2003, the zoo's name was officially changed from the Jacksonville Zoo to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Over the next five years, several new exhibits and services, including the famed Range of the Jaguar, the Savanna Blooms botanical garden, and the Children's Play Park successfully opened to the public. In addition, the zoo has endeavored to become recognized as a botanical garden.
Children's Play Park at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
Currently, the Zoo sits on 89 acres of land, over twice its original size on the Trout River location. The Zoo houses over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and over 1,500 unique plant species and participates in many preservation and breeding programs to ensure the survival of endangered and threatened species as well as local fauna and flora.
The Gardens at Trout River Plaza
The new garden space features a partially-walled botanical garden plaza that will serve as a gathering and event space and offers a beautiful view of the Trout River. Central to the plaza is a celebratory fountain with a spill bowl topped by a basking anhinga bird sculpture. The fountain is surrounded by pebble mosaic paving that features a menagerie of animals of the Trout River.
Springing from lush garden beds, thirteen Grecian-style “living” columns topped with overflowing flowering urns giving the Gardens a classical look. A planted trellis, lush and cool with colorful and fragrant vines, along with a number of large shade trees and themed lights all create a special area that can be enjoyed for private parties after hours. The Grand Opening was held September 2007.
Savanna Blooms (opened in spring 2005)
The first Themed Pocket Garden in the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Botanical Garden Concept Plan, Savanna Blooms, was completed in spring 2005. Nestled beneath the Giraffe Overlook, visitors will find acacia groves that flank two entrances into the one-half acre, “not so big garden”. This unique garden, fashioned after a South African oasis, transitions from soft grasslands and fine textured acacia leaves at each entrance into a bold contemporary garden at its core. Kopje outcrops erupt from the landscape, and a weep trickles down the face of the rocks. The spring feeds a serene pool that showcases African water lilies and water edge plants. Visitors rest beneath the curved trellis laden with fragrant flowering vines and view the garden’s splendor from an internal vantage point.
Botanical Garden Concept Plan: Setting a New Standard
For decades, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has given Jacksonville and Northeast Florida residents a place to love animals. Now our mission is to offer our community a public place to love plants, while setting a new standard for zoos in the process. We are in the process of building a first-of-its-kind botanical garden inside our Zoo that, unlike other zoos, is separate from the adjuncts to animals.
Unlike most other growing and culturally-rich cities, Jacksonville cannot list a botanical garden as one of its cultural treasures. Beyond filling an educational need, botanical gardens benefit their communities in many ways. They become tourist attractions, benefit the green industry, serve as an employer and pump millions of construction dollars and salaries into the regional economy.
Over the past 400 years botanical gardens evolved from a menagerie of medicinal plants to entering the 21st century with a strong focus on the concept of environmental sustainability. While some zoos have enhanced the natural habitat of their animal collection, none to our knowledge have committed to the idea of combining a zoo and botanical garden. This combination will only serve to strengthen each institution’s ability to foster a clear vision of sustainable conservation of our natural resources.
With the help of a nationally-renowned botanical garden design firm, the Zoo developed three major garden zones in its Botanical Garden Concept Plan:
The Garden Path: Visitors will begin their garden journey at the Main Camp and will be greeted with a celebratory display of striking foliage and flowering plants. They will be drawn toward the Garden Path by drifts of colorful bloom swirling through ribbons of contrasting foliage and textures in the distance. Throughout the Zoo, the Garden Path will be a linear garden that links garden destinations.
Themed Pocket Gardens: Distinct and unique garden jewels of horticultural display that immerse the visitor into strongly themed forecourts to the animal exhibits that follow. Each garden is about one half acre in size.
The Primary Gardens: In Jacksonville, visitors to the Zoo have, over the years, recognized the unique relationship the Zoo shares with the Trout River. The beautiful native water-edge plants and spectacular panoramic views over the River set this are aside as something quite special. Recognizing this potential, we selected this area as the home for the Primary Gardens will cover approximately twelve acres.
Photo Tour
Photos by Daniel Herbin
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Keith-N-Jax
June 26, 2009, 05:45:34 AMYou know I just went to the Zoo a few weeks ago. It really has come along way. They have a new sting ray habitat also, not sure how new it is, but it wasnt there when I was there last. The Zoo's landscaping is top of the line. Trout River Plaza is very nice and new Asian area. I am proud of the Jacksonville Zoo. Certainly a positive for the city.
Hurricane
June 26, 2009, 06:47:29 AMOut of sight, out of mind. I keep forgetting about the JAX Zoo. Definitely planning a visit now, thanks for the reminder...
heights unknown
June 26, 2009, 07:19:07 AMWow...I wanna go! I was with my Grandmother in Jasper, Florida and in second grade when we made a trip to the Jacksonville zoo; this was a loooooong time ago and I won't tell what year; but I barely even remember what the zoo was like but I remember us going.
Heights Unknown
copperfiend
June 26, 2009, 07:21:45 AMEvery out of towner I have brought to the zoo in the last few years absolutely loves it.
thelakelander
June 26, 2009, 08:13:59 AMGreat article! Jacksonville has a top rate zoo.
Cliffs_Daughter
June 26, 2009, 08:48:43 AMI took my son there on Monday for his birthday - it was GREAT! He was a little upset that they didn't show zebras this week, but overall it was a very lovely place. Exhibits looked in beautiful shape, landscaping was very nice, and we even got to feed the giraffe!
Jason
June 26, 2009, 09:02:21 AMFantastic tour and history MJ!!! Very well done!!
I've been 3 or 4 times in the past year or two and still want to go back for more. The changes that the Zoo has gone through in the last 10 years is astonishing. The Oriental Gardens, kids play park, and the Trout River Plaza are all fantastic. And I've said this before, the Range of the Jaguar exhibit is second to none. Anyone who hasn't been to the zoo in the last 3 years is missing a lot.
The only things I see becomming a potential thorn for the zoo is the aging wooden boardwalk system and the lack of substantial expansion room. Within the next fews years the boardwalk will likely need an overhaul and without a whole lot of room to grow, the zoo may face some limitation on the types of exhibits it can include.
adamh0903
June 26, 2009, 09:16:19 AMMy wife and I took our daughter to the zoo a month or so ago. It was the first time we had been in probably 20 years. I was blown away. Its first class all the way around. If you havent been in a while. Go!
copperfiend
June 26, 2009, 09:21:56 AMI would like to see them do something with the gorilla exhibit. It is depressing.
Deuce
June 26, 2009, 09:33:33 AMLove the zoo. It's one of the things this city has gotten right. The new Asian gardens and Komodo dragon exhibit are spectacular. We're scoping the zoo as a possible place to get married. I hope they'll figure out a solution to expansion as I would love to see this zoo continue to grow and add more exhibits.
Keith-N-Jax
June 26, 2009, 10:01:24 AMSomething like what,, any ideas, just curious?
copperfiend
June 26, 2009, 10:31:40 AMGet more gorillas.
blizz01
June 26, 2009, 10:52:11 AMI've plugged this before in other threads - If you arrive by boat, admission is free.
copperfiend
June 26, 2009, 10:54:28 AMAlso, for anybody that does go. Go out the dock in the back. When I was there last summer there were manatees in the river.
BridgeTroll
June 26, 2009, 11:55:08 AMThat might be a great expansion idea for the zoo... a manatee rescue enclosure. Wounded or hurt manatees are brought to the zoo where they can stay in native habitat yet be fed and rehabbed from boat injuries all while people observe from the dock. Of course you then sell manatee hats, pins, soft drinks, and various other worthless baubles to the enthralled crowds...
Shwaz
June 26, 2009, 11:58:51 AM^Great idea^
I said it beofre and still think a thrill ride would be a great addition to the zoo.
copperfiend
June 26, 2009, 12:04:32 PMThe Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa had a great manatee exhibit last time I was there. We could do that here.
shanshan1218
June 26, 2009, 03:28:47 PMI took my son in March for his birthday. I personally had not been in about 2 years. I was amazed at how much it has grown up! I love it!!
Tripoli1711
June 26, 2009, 10:42:39 PMDid you all see how many people were on that train? See.... passenger rail can definitely work in Jacksonville!
I-10east
June 27, 2009, 02:54:49 AMI'm surprised that people aren't saying things like......
"The Jax zoo needs more walkability, and I hate that massive sea of concrete in the front! The Bronx, and SD Zoos has some upscale selections of Louis Vuitton bags in their souvenir shops; Why not Jax! I hate the gauge of track on Jax Zoo's train ride; It's too small! The animals at JZ are too lazy, and alot of times you can't even see them". LOL!
On the real, it's good to see that people are positive about the Zoo; I think that it's definitely underrated.
Keith-N-Jax
June 27, 2009, 09:14:20 PMCredit is given where credit has been earned.
oreo0579
June 27, 2009, 10:12:42 PM1. I have an annual membership which I enjoy using often.
2. The zoo's website states their size as 120 acres.
3. I-10 East - The animals may seem lazy to you, but most of them natually rest/sleep during the heat of the day. Consider changing the time of your visit next time.
4. Another plus for our community: Over 90,000 school children visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens each year
either on teacher- led field trips or to participate in formal education programs at the PepsiCo Education Campus.
I-10east
June 28, 2009, 12:28:01 PM^^^I was just joking, the animals are fine; I was just imitating the pessimistic (some not all) MetroJax members. I'm sorry that I confused you.
jaxlore
June 29, 2009, 12:46:29 PMi will admit whoever does the advertising for the zoo on I-95 rocks, rest of jax businesses need to take notice.
Shwaz
June 29, 2009, 01:36:20 PMI liked the billboard with one of the Jaguars on a leather couch that read "don't make us bring the zoo to you"
Lunican
July 09, 2009, 04:18:54 PMThe male calf was born Tuesday night
RICK WILSON/The Times-Union
The baby did not take to the physical exam easily. It bleated loudly and struggled when the handlers first got ahold of it. And it took three of them — one around its neck, two wrapping up its legs — to finally hold it still enough for the veterinarian to step in and begin his work.
Of course, the baby was less than two days old.
Jacksonville Zoo and Garden’s latest arrival is a giraffe, born Tuesday evening. At its first exam Thursday morning, veterinarian Nick Kapustin put on his glove, stuck his hand in, felt around and made the pivotal announcement: “It’s a male,” he said.
http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/2009-07-09/story/its_a_boy_zoo_welcomes_birth_of_baby_giraffe
Jason
July 09, 2009, 04:33:27 PMCool stuff.
I can't get enough of the Zoo.
copperfiend
July 09, 2009, 05:08:42 PMI am going to Zoo Atlanta this weekend. We get half price admission because we are Jax Zoo members.
stephElf
July 09, 2009, 05:12:29 PMADORABLE!
i love, love, love the giraffe habitat
this is baby #2 born here right?
Keith-N-Jax
July 09, 2009, 07:21:44 PMThe Giraffe habitat is nice. Our zoo is landscape very well.
mtraininjax
July 10, 2009, 08:12:39 AM100 degree heat, zoo animals, sounds like fun! I'll wait until the winter time.
fsujax
July 10, 2009, 08:33:57 AMIt isn't that bad at the zoo in the summer. Besides if you wait till the winter you may risk seeing all the tropical vegetation they have planted there being brown and not in bloom. I think late summer/early fall is the best time to go.
blizz01
July 10, 2009, 09:54:31 AMLunican
July 10, 2009, 10:21:40 AMThere are fewer crotchety old guys there in the summer...
avonjax
July 10, 2009, 10:33:57 AMyeah like mtrain who is crotchety about everything
blizz01
July 11, 2009, 11:17:16 AMZoo May Close, Euthanize Animals
Seriously?
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/20021259/detail.html
Lunican
July 29, 2009, 07:13:25 PMIn his third week, Tony Vecchio says Jacksonville feels like home
Tony Vecchio has moved into his corner office at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the one overlooking the train tracks and cheetah exhibit. He’s in his third week as the zoo’s new executive director, coming from the same position at the other corner of the country: The Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore.
He hasn’t really settled into Jacksonville yet. He’s living in an extended stay motel while his wife and children are back in Portland, trying to sell their house there. His son will start Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland this fall. His daughter will enter Douglas Anderson School of the Arts as a dancer.
The 54-year-old Vecchio, who replaces Dennis Pate, worked at his first zoo in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He’s also worked at zoos in South Carolina, Atlanta and Rhode Island before Portland and now Jacksonville.
Full Article:
http://www.jacksonville.com/lifestyles/2009-07-29/story/qa_zoos_new_director_wants_more_volunteers_greener_practices