Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

February 23, 2010 - Jacksonville, Fl -

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is proud to announce that it’s Stingray Bay with Sharks! exhibit will be opening daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning February 27th.  This popular exhibit has been open on weekends only since mid-October, 2009.  Guests will now have more opportunities to interact with the stingrays by petting and feeding them as they swim in a 17,000-gallon pool.  Bamboo sharks have also been added to this interactive exhibit. 

Bamboo sharks are among the smallest sharks reaching a length of about 40 inches.  They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the east coast of the Indian Peninsula to northern Australia and north as far as Japan; they are also common in coral reefs.  Their diets consist of small fish and crustaceans, and they are harmless to humans, making them a great addition to Stingray Bay.

This temporary exhibit will be open through September of this year, with a reduced admission price of $2 per person and $1 for members.  Food for the stingrays can be purchased for $1.

Also, on February 27th and 28th only, the Zoo is teaming up with Dignity U Wear to offer a $2 discount on Zoo admission for each person that brings in one ore more new packages of children’s underwear.  These donations will go to needy children and families throughout the First Coast to help restore dignity and self-confidence to those in need.  “It’s great to have a partner like the Jacksonville Zoo and zoo visitors who realize they will be helping a great cause,” said Radha Weeder, director of development for Dignity U Wear.  For more information go to http://www.dignityuwear.org 

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,400 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. 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. – 5 p.m. 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

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