Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

April 30, 2012 - Jacksonville, Fl -

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced its 20th annual Teddy Bear Affair, sponsored by Nemours, on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special admission offer! Children ages 12 and under who bring their teddy bears or other stuffed animal on that day will receive free admission to the Zoo.

“We sometimes forget how important a child’s animal friends, be they pets or plush, are to them,” said Tony Vecchio, executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “To acknowledge this by giving kids a chance to bring their plush pals to our Zoo for a day of fun and some tender-loving-care is so rewarding.  In fact, watching this experience should bring a smile to the face of most anyone who was ever a kid.”
“Injured” teddy bears will receive special treatment by Nemours’ skilled staff, along with Build-A-Bear, who will be assisting with the teddy bear check-ups.  There will be animal encounters, prize drawings, and visits from Jazoo, the Zoo mascot and his mascot friend, the bear.

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, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 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.