Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

February 23, 2012 - Jacksonville, Fl -

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announces Leaping Ahead of Extinction event on February 29, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To coincide with leap day, Amphibian Ark, an amphibian conservation organization, is coordinating an international event, Leaping Ahead of Extinction: A celebration of good news for amphibians in 2012. The event focuses on captive breeding programs for threatened amphibian species, by encouraging people to visit their closest zoo or public facility that is involved with amphibian conservation, on or around leap day 2012. Fifty eight institutions from seventeen countries, including Australia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, England, New Zealand and the US are participating in this celebration.

This year, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be participating in this international event. Join us on leap day at the Zoo’s Save the Frogs: Amphibian Conservation Center to learn more about amphibian conservation programs and what the Zoo is doing in response to the global amphibian crisis. There will be amphibian-themed face painting from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as well as prize drawings. Guests can also join in on an amphibian scavenger hunt. Don’t forget to head to the Great Lawn at 2:00 p.m. for a leap frog contest! Special admission offer! Guests born on February 29th will receive FREE general Zoo admission on leap day! Adults must present a valid photo id with birth date. Children with birthdays on February 29th must present valid birth certificate.  This offer is good for general Zoo admission only and cannot be combined with any other offers, including Zoo Value Tickets. This offer is good on February 29, 2012 only. 

Amphibians (frogs, toads, newts and salamanders) are in dire need of our help because they are one of the most imperiled groups of living organisms. “For every one species of bird or mammal in trouble, there are two to three amphibian species on the brink of extinction” said Kevin Zippel, AArk program director. “The current amphibian extinction crisis is reminiscent of the disappearance of the dinosaurs, making it one of the greatest conservation challenges in the history of humanity.”

For nearly a century, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens now has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 plants. It has won national acclaim for its South American Range of the Jaguar exhibit and has the largest botanical garden in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas Day, and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org.