Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and its collection

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, opened in 1923, is a zoo in Sanford, United States.

About 400 animals of close to 100 species are kept, and the zoo runs as a not-for-profit body.

History

It opened in 1923 as the Sanford Municipal Zoo with animals given by the local fire department. In 1941 it moved to the site of today's Sanford City Hall, and on 4 July 1975 to the present grounds. A derailment in November 2019 hospitalised riders on the railroad and the train shut for a time.

Exhibits

There is a splash park, and giraffe feeding and rhino encounters carry extra charges, while keeper talks and animal encounters are also offered. The Little Florida Railroad, of 16 in gauge and hauled by a streamliner locomotive built in 1951, started running in 2003.

Things to do

Things to do include Rhino Encounters, Tortoise Encounters, Giraffe Feeding, Barnyard Buddies and Keeper Chats.

Conservation and approach

The zoo works with the FWC's research institute and the Florida Museum of Natural History, tracking the state's 68 amphibian species, 16 of them most at risk.

What the venue says

• Rhino Encounters
• Barnyard Buddies
• On-site dining is available at the Graze & Swirl Café, which offers casual items like burgers, salads, and chicken tenders.
• Parking is completely free of charge in the zoo’s main lot, which is open daily and equipped with compatible EV charging stations.
• The zoo features flat, manageable walking paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs
• Manual wheelchairs are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the admissions window for a nominal fee
• service animals are warmly welcomed on grounds