Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Central Florida Zoo

The Asian Elephants of the Central Florida Zoo
Date opened	1923 July 4, 1975 in current location
Location	Sanford, Florida, USA
Coordinates	28.827832°N 81.31623°W / 28.827832; -81.31623
Number of animals	400
Memberships	AZA
Website	www.centralfloridazoo.org

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located north of Orlando, Florida at the intersection of I-4 and Hwy 17-92 near the city of Sanford.

The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

History

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. For many years, starting in 1941, the zoo was relocated several times and finally settled down to its current location on July 4, 1975. The zoo is now home to over 400 animals, visitors can take advantage of educational opportunities including keeper chats and animal encounters.

Animals

Mammals at the zoo include Amur leopard, black-footed cat, black-handed spider monkey, black howler monkey, brown lemur, caracal, cheetah, clouded leopard, coati, cottontop tamarin, goat, Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, llama, lesser spot-nosed guenon, prehensile-tailed porcupine, puma, red ruffed lemur, siamang, South African crested porcupine, zebu.

Birds at the zoo include African Red-billed Hornbill, Bald Eagle, Black-throated Magpie-Jay, Blue-bellied Roller, Green-winged Macaw, King Vulture, Kookaburra, Panama Yellow-crowned Amazon, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Tawny Frogmouth, Wreathed Hornbill, Violaceous Turaco.

Reptiles at the zoo include Aldabra giant tortoise, Amazonian palm viper, 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, lance-headed rattlesnake, 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.

Events

The zoo hosts several annual events, including ZOO Boo Bash, Breakfast with Santa, Fiesta del Coquí, Hippity Hop Adventure, and its annual Independence Day and zoo birthday celebration, Red, White, and ZOO.

Conservation

The Central Florida Zoo had 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. The zoo also participates in 11 AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP), including those for the cheetah, ruffed lemur, elephant, Aruba Island rattlesnake, gibbon, black-footed cat, guenon, spider monkey, cotton-top tamarin, rock iguana, and clouded leopard.

References

• "Zoo Map". centralfloridazoo.org. Central Florida Zoo. http://www.centralfloridazoo.org/flash-map/zoo-zoomer.html. Retrieved 27 August 2010. 

External links

• Official website