Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and its collection

Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, opened in 1914, is a zoo in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.

The grounds cover about 122 acres and hold more than 2,000 animals alongside 1,000 plant species. Attendance runs to more than a million visits a year. A jaguar called Zorro is named its most significant animal.

History

It began as a municipal zoo in the Springfield district on 12 May 1914, a red deer fawn being the first animal shown. On 19 July 1925 it shifted to a 37.5-acre site on Heckscher Drive beside the Trout River.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include reticulated giraffes, lorikeets and rays.

Exhibits

Lorikeet Landing arrived in March 2002 as a sponsored Australian Adventure, the first new exhibit at the southern end in seven years, and spring 2004 brought Range of the Jaguar, which took an AZA exhibit-of-the-year award for 2005. Land of the Tiger arrived in 2014, its tigers given a novel system of walk-through trails. Manatee River opened on 6 March 2026, after which the Wild Florida section became the route in from the main gate.

Things to do

Things to do include 4D Theater, Train, wildlife carousel, The Nature Agent Adventure and Animal Feedings.

What the venue says

• Train
• The Nature Agent Adventure
• There are multiple options for food, desserts, and refreshments available for purchase inside the park, including a cafe
• Visitors benefit from free parking onsite, which includes plenty of regular spots as well as sufficient designated handicap spaces
• The facility is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring accessible entrances, parking lots, restrooms, and seating areas