Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

May 25, 2011 - Jacksonville, Fl -

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is celebrating the 30th birthday of Quito, a silverback gorilla on Wednesday, June 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  There will be an information booth at the Great Ape Exhibit with fun facts about Quito as well as conservation information on gorillas. Guests are invited to come at 9:30 a.m. and sing happy birthday to Quito where he will also be given his birthday cake. Stop by the Great Ape exhibit to sign his birthday card, hear from Zoo Keepers about Quito throughout the day, enjoy gorilla enrichment and stop for a visit from Jazoo, the Zoo mascot.  A power point presentation will be provided throughout the day in the Samburu Room located at Main Camp, where guests can stop in to see pictures of Quito and learn more about his story. This event is free with regular admission into the Zoo. 

For more than 96 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment.  Since its beginning in 1914, with an animal collection that consisted of only one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has become one of the top zoos in the nation.  It now features more than 1,800 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. Preservation of sustainable biodiversity is a key mission of the Zoo.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  It is open year-round, seven-days-a-week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information, go to jacksonvillezoo.org.