Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Entrance to the Central Florida Zoo
Date opened	1923 July 4, 1975 in current location
Location	Sanford, Florida, United States
Land area	116 acres (47 ha)
Coordinates	28°49′40″N 81°18′58″W / 28.827832°N 81.31623°W / 28.827832; -81.31623
No. of animals	400
Annual visitors	300,000
Memberships	AZA

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a fun and educational place located in Sanford, Florida. It's a large area, about 116 acres, filled with amazing animals and beautiful plants. This zoo is a non-profit organization. It works hard to protect wildlife and teach people about nature. Since 1986, it has been a trusted member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

History of the Zoo

A Green-winged macaw with a zookeeper

The Central Florida Zoo first opened way back in 1923. Back then, it was called the Sanford Municipal Zoo. It started with just a few animals that were given by the local fire department!

In 1941, the zoo moved to a new spot. Then, on July 4, 1975, it moved to its current home. This new location is along Lake Monroe. A group of dedicated people helped make this move possible. They even got a big piece of land donated by Seminole County.

In 1986, the Central Florida Zoo became officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care and education. Later, in 2005, the Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center and ZooLab opened. These buildings have classrooms and spaces for learning. In 2007, the zoo officially became the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. This means it's also a special place for plants! That same year, the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground opened for visitors to cool off.

Meet the Animals

Elephants at the zoo

The Central Florida Zoo is home to over 400 animals! These animals represent more than 100 different species. When you visit, you can learn a lot about them. The zoo offers special talks with zookeepers and even chances to get closer to some animals.

Mammals at the Zoo

You can see many cool mammals here. Some of them include:

• Black-handed spider monkeys swinging around.
• Fast cheetahs and sneaky clouded leopards.
• Friendly goats, llamas, and alpacas.
• Slow-moving Hoffmann's two-toed sloths.
• Playful river otters.
• Powerful pumas.
• Colorful red ruffed lemurs.
• Spiky South African crested porcupines.
• Big warthogs, Indian rhinos, and giraffes.
• Unique fossas and rare Amur leopards.

Birds of the Zoo

The zoo has many beautiful birds from all over the world. Here are some you might spot:

• The African red-billed hornbill with its big beak.
• Majestic bald eagles.
• Bright black-throated magpie-jays and blue-bellied rollers.
• Colorful green-winged macaws.
• Funny guira cuckoos and laughing kookaburras.
• Stunning Palawan peacock-pheasants.
• Chatty Panama yellow-crowned amazons.
• Large silvery-cheeked hornbills and wreathed hornbills.
• Unique spotted thick-knees and violaceous turacos.

Reptiles and Amphibians

The Herpetarium at the zoo is home to many reptiles and amphibians. You can see:

• Giant Aldabra giant tortoises.
• Native American alligators and American crocodiles.
• Venomous snakes like the Aruba Island rattlesnake and eastern green mamba.
• Colorful snakes like the green tree python and jungle carpet python.
• Interesting lizards like the Gila monster and Grand Cayman Island rock iguana.
• Many types of rattlesnakes, cobras, and vipers.

Fun Attractions

Besides seeing animals, there are other fun things to do at the zoo!

• You can cool off at the splash park, which is perfect on a hot day.
• For an extra cost, you can even feed a giraffe or have a special encounter with a rhino!
• The Little Florida Railroad is a miniature train ride. It started running at the zoo in 2003. A new train was unveiled in early 2023 for everyone to enjoy.

Exciting Events

The Zoo hosts several fun events throughout the year. These events are great for families!

• The ZOO Boo Bash is a popular Halloween event.
• The Hippity Hop Adventure is a fun event around Easter time.
• The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is a special event. During this festival, the zoo is lit up with beautiful, handcrafted lanterns. These lanterns are shaped like animals and plants, creating a magical experience.

Bird Lanterns

Helping Wildlife (Conservation)

The Central Florida Zoo is very involved in protecting animals and their homes. They work with other groups, like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to help save Florida's amphibians. These small creatures are at risk from things like losing their homes or new diseases.

The zoo also takes part in special programs called Species Survival Plans (SSPs). These plans help to breed and protect endangered animals. Some of the animals they help include:

• Cheetahs
• Ruffed lemurs
• Amur leopards
• Guenons
• Spider monkeys
• Cotton-top tamarins
• Rock iguanas
• Clouded leopards

The zoo also has a special center called the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation. This center helps to breed and release eastern indigo snakes back into the wild. These snakes had disappeared from some areas, and the zoo is helping them return.

Images for kids

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  Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) selected for conservation by the zoo

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  Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

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  Gorilla

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  Hornbill (Bucerotidae)

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  Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

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  American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

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  Blue heron

See also

• Gatorland