We want to be bold. Revolutionary.
To become the #1 Zoo in the United States while doubling down on our commitment to environmental education and global conservation.
But first, it’s time to renovate. We can’t increase our care of critically endangered species without the addition of new, wellness-inspired habitats and technology to help us bridge the gap between modern life and the natural world. And our summer camps, educational opportunities, and events are severely limited by space constraints.
The new entrance will reimagine the guest experience, with nods to education and conservation efforts as the backdrop to premium hospitality in a multifunctional space. Florida’s most beloved and charismatic species will greet guests from their new habitat, Manatee River, paying homage to the vibrant life surrounding us all.
WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN BECOME EXTRAORDINARY.
Lions have been residents at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for nearly 100 years! The New Lion Ridge habitat will create a wellness-inspired space for these majestic creatures, with new scenic overlooks from Lion Camp—the renovated and renamed Main Camp. Improvements will also be made to foster robust educational programming in the lower level, providing more options for summer camps, Zoo overnights, and other learning experiences.
REZOOVENATION will allow us to welcome a new species: the orangutan. Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, they will feel at home in our warm Florida climate. More tree-based than their ape cousins—the chimpanzees and gorillas—their new exhibit will provide plenty of places for them to climb and sleep aloft.
Our African Elephants and Zoo guests will both appreciate the newly imagined and immersive wellness-inspired Elephant exhibit, with many new vistas from which to view the elephants. Guests can wander along a new trail, watching the animals interact in a naturalistic environment. The flexible habitat will allow keepers to easily move the elephants to different areas of the exhibit for animal enrichment. In addition, a new elephant demonstration area will give guests the opportunity to watch educational training and enrichment activities up-close.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens invites you to help make this bold, innovative vision a reality. The REZOOVENATION campaign will not only benefit our beloved animals, but also improve the guest experience. Together, we can ensure the Zoo continues to inspire our kids, grandkids, and broader community for years to come.