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Category: Featured

10/21/22

Local Eaglet Rescued and Rehabbed is Now at the Zoo

The story of Alita the bald eagle was documented by the EagleWatch Coordinator for Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties and the EagleWatch Coordinator for Hillsborough County. The Beginning Alita’s story began in a tall pine tree nest in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, Florida. Due to a construction disturbance in the area, Audubon EagleWatch volunteers have a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permit to monitor this pair. The eagle nesting season begins October 1 and runs... Read More
at 10/21/22
Featured

1/26/22

Fewer Than 3,000 Zebras Left

Today, there are 3,000 Grevy’s Zebras in their remaining habitats in Northern Kenya. However, not too long ago, Zebras were present in Northern Kenya, parts of Ethiopia, and Somalia. Because 99% of Grevy’s Zebra populations are in non-protected areas, conserving this species is dependent on community activity and participation. Grevy's zebras are easily distinguished from other zebra species as they have narrower stripes, large fuzzy ears, a brown muzzle, a black dorsal s... Read More
at 1/26/22
Conservation Featured

1/11/22

How to Plant a Tree in Florida

Providing shade, wildlife habitat and aesthetics; trees are an important part of any landscape. Having a basic knowledge of tree selection, planting and care are important to keep your trees healthy and vigorous. Generally, the winter months in Florida are a great time to plant a tree, though really any time of year works too! Trees should be chosen carefully to avoid having specimens that will one day be too large for their chosen location. Often trees are planted too close to hom... Read More
at 1/11/22
Featured Horticulture

11/24/21

Protecting Jags in South America with the Help of Locals

It is no surprise the jaguar, a powerhouse of the big cats, was chosen through a fan contest as our own NFL team’s mascot in 1991. Today the jaguar is a part of the Jacksonville identity. But we are not alone; the jaguar is an iconic symbol of the wild for South America and Mexico, celebrated as a symbol of power.  Like all traits of this magnificent creature, their eye structure makes them perfectly suited for spotting prey in the dark and in the daylight. As the largest cat... Read More
at 11/24/21
Conservation Featured

10/25/21

Are Jaguars the Strongest Animal?

The name jaguar originated from the indigenous word “yaguar,” which means “he who kills with one leap.” Jaguars are the biggest cat in The Americas and the third biggest cat in the world after tigers and lions. Although jaguars and leopards have similar spots, you can tell the difference between the two based on the size of the cat and the shape of their spots. If you notice dark rosettes and spots on a stunning coat, short legs, and large round head, then you’ve... Read More
at 10/25/21
AIYI Conservation Featured

9/1/21

Help Protect Our Primate Relatives

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to many primates, and while they may have similar features, not all primates are the same. Key differences between them give us clues about their evolutionary history, and what is important for their care. Because primates are found throughout the world, different species face different challenges. So, what is a primate? WE are primates! Primates are a group of diverse mammals including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes and humans (a type of ape)... Read More
at 9/1/21
Conservation Featured

8/31/21

How Does the Zoo Feed More Than 2,000 Animals?

All the food that goes to any animal in the Zoo first goes through Jacksonville Zoo and Garden’s Animal Nutrition Center (ANC). The ANC is the area in which all food is stored and prepped for our animal meals. To put it simply, without this team, our animals wouldn’t eat. The ANC opens at 5 am every morning, and staff members are present almost every day until about 4 pm. The first part of the day is dedicated to putting diets out for keepers to pick up, as well as preparing diet... Read More
at 8/31/21
Featured