Northside Business Leaders

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The Northside Business Leaders are proud to partner with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  The Jax Zoo is a great place for the whole family.  It is entertaining, educational and fun.  We encourage everyone to join and to go to the Jax Zoo many times a year as they are always improving your trip to the zoo.

Butterfly Gardening 101 - Garden Tour

at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

September 4, 2010  

August 19, 2010 – Jacksonville , FL – The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ’ garden tour series for the fall starts with a Butterfly Gardening 101 garden tour, on Saturday, September 4, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Guests will learn how, with the right plants and a little patience, they can enjoy the wonders of the entire butterfly life cycle right in their own backyards.  There will be discussion on basic principles of butterfly gardening, butterfly appropriate plants, and the butterflies one may hope to attract.   Guests are to pre-register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org, and meet outside the Zoo’s ticket booths at 8:45 a.m. on the day of the tour.   

The cost is $10 for Zoo members and $20 for non-members (Zoo admission is included).  Pre-registration is required and tour size is limited.  For more information, visit: http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/botanical/first_saturday_garden_tours/     

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. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

CELEBRATES THE ARRIVAL OF ITS

29^TH BABY GIRAFFE

June 2, 2010 – Jacksonville , FL – The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the birth of a male reticulated giraffe calf on May 30 at 5:41 a.m.  The calf weighs an estimated 140 pounds, is six feet tall and doing well.  He will be in the giraffe outside holding area beginning today and can be seen up close from the train.

This is the first offspring for the mother, Naomi, a four-year-old that came to Jacksonville from Miami Metro Zoo in October 2007.  The calf’s father is Duke, the 13-year-old patriarch of the giraffe herd, who has sired a total of five offspring since he came to the Jacksonville Zoo from the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio, in April of 2003.    The Zoo now has nine giraffes in its collection. This is the 29^th giraffe born at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. 

“The neonatal or ‘well baby’ exam has been completed, and the calf is off to a good start,” said Tony Vecchio , executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “The calf was standing on all fours within an hour of the birth and is now walking, sitting, standing and nursing properly.  The keepers and Animal Health staff will continue to monitor the newborn closely,” he concluded. 

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 1,500 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

Zoo Officials Report Thistle, the Penguin,

 Is Showing Signs of Improvement

 May 19, 2010 – Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ Animal Health and Bird staff reported today that their efforts to save one of the Zoo’s new resident Magellanic penguins appear to be working.  Keepers for Thistle, a male penguin that came from the San Francisco Zoo in January 2009 say that the penguin’s appetite has increased during the past several days.  He’s alert, exhibiting good behavior, eating really well on his own and has been swimming and diving with the group.  

“Thistle’s recent increase in fish intake is really encouraging,” said Tony Vecchio, executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “Although his weight has increased, his prognosis is still guarded, given the long recovery needed in cases like these.”   

The penguin is being medicated for Aspergillosis, which is a fungal infection that is common among birds.  Those who contract it usually go through a prolonged treatment, and many do not survive.  The Zoo first reported the penguin’s illness in April, when he was lethargic and had stopped eating on his own.  Until recently, the penguin was being hand fed fish on an hourly basis.  

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. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.  

April 29, 2010 – Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced today that its Animal Health and Bird staff are working to save one of its new resident Magellanic penguins that arrived from the San Francisco Zoo in late January.  Thistle, a male penguin, was reported by keepers two weeks ago as being lethargic and not eating. He immediately received a thorough examination by the Animal Health staff which included taking blood samples. Aspergillosis, a fungal infection to which penguins are very susceptible, was suspected, and the bird was placed on treatment, which consists of anti-fungal medications placed in the fish fed to the bird.   

After treatment first began, Thistle first showed improvement but still wouldn’t eat on his own.  Additional medications were started to broaden the scope of treatment, including supportive care, such as fluids and nutritional supplements.  

Aspergillosis diagnosis and treatment in penguins is very challenging. This disease can be fatal and the treatment length could be quite prolonged. Thistle continues to remain with the group during treatment, only occasionally being separated to receive his medications to prevent undue stress. His condition is not contagious to the other birds.  

The animal staff has been offering food to Thistle hourly throughout the day, in an attempt to entice him to eat on his own. Staff is encouraged that he is taking fish by himself, but the prognosis is still guarded.  All animals here are continually monitored very closely for any changes in attitude or behavior, and we are doing everything humanly possible to save Thistle.  The Zoo will report on Thistle’s condition as new information or changes develop.  

Tourism Industry Recognizes

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens with Award  

Jacksonville, FL – May 18, 2010 – On Thursday, Mary 13, 2010, Visit Jacksonville, the City’s convention and visitors’ bureau, presented Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens with its “Partner of the Year” award at a ceremony held at The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

This and other awards presented showcased many individuals, businesses or organizations in Jacksonville that have championed economic growth of the City through tourism.  The Zoo’s Executive Director, Tony Vecchio, accepted the award on behalf of the Zoo.  

The Zoo received top honors as a Visit Jacksonville partner based on a set of criteria involving participation in activities and its support of Visit Jacksonville’s mission.  

“The Zoo is an important component of the Jacksonville tourism industry and over the past year has been instrumental in creating new tourism product for visitors and locals to enjoy, including the Asian Bamboo Gardens and Komodo Dragon Exhibit, which opened in March 2009 and the Tuxedo Coast Penguin exhibit opened in March 2010,” said Mya Carter, Interim President and CEO of Visit Jacksonville.

 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. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.    

Jacksonville, FL – April 12, 2010 – A record-breaking 30,258 people visited the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on April 2nd and April 5th through 9th, which was spring break for Duval, Nassau and Clay County schools.  Visitors “flocked” to see the Zoo’s new Tuxedo Coast penguin exhibit to watch as the Magellanic penguins swam, bobbled and waddled their way into their hearts.  The new record is a 12 percent increase over the 27,102 that attended in 2004 when the Zoo hosted its Grand Opening of the national award-winning Range of the Jaguar exhibit. 

“After a rough start to the Zoo’s 2009/2010 fiscal year due to the extremely cold weather, strong winds and rain, we are finally gaining ground on meeting our goals for attendance and revenue,” said Tony Vecchio, executive director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “Now that people are obviously taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we are very happy many of them have decided to make the Zoo their outdoor fun destination.”  

The new record did not include a whopping 8,363 who attended this past Saturday, April 10th, during the Zoo’s 18th annual Teddy Bear Affair event, sponsored by Nemours, a children’s clinic.  The next Zoo event is its Earth Day celebration, “Party for the Planet”, on April 24th and 25th. There will be a “Walk for the Planet” to raise funds for animal conservation projects at the Zoo on Saturday morning of the event.  To purchase tickets for the Walk and for more information on Earth Day and other events and activities at the Zoo, go to jacksonvillezoo.org.  

In addition to the new penguins, the Zoo has added sharks to Stingray Bay, two rare okapi and two female gorilla companions for Quito (the very popular and formerly solitary male silverback), to its animal collection.  It’s no wonder that the Zoo made Parents’ Magazine’s list of the 15 top zoos in the nation for kids. 

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. The Zoo is open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from March to Labor Day.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—(March 15, 2010) — After a few years of planning, a year of waiting and month of quarantine, for the first time in its history, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens now has okapi on exhibit, which can be viewed from the African boardwalk. Kisangani, a 20-year-old female, came from the White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, Florida, and Kimacho, a nine-year-old male, came from the Houston Zoo.   These additions to the animal collection take the Jacksonville Zoo to a new level among zoos nationwide.  

“All Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ 21 okapi holders must have appropriate facilities and demonstrate a commitment to okapi conservation,” said Delfi Messinger, director of animal programs for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “Their numbers in the wild are precarious, so we want to help protect them.”  

Discovered in 1901, the okapi is a most unusual yet beautiful animal.  Although at first glance they look like they might be in the zebra family, they are in fact the only living relative of the giraffe.  But the okapi’s head is the only part of this animal that resembles a giraffe.  It has a long nose and a tongue that’s 14 to 18” in length -- long enough to lick their eyelids. They are 6 to 7 feet in height and weigh approximately 500 to 700 pounds.  Their chocolate-brown coat feels like velvet to the touch, while the white stripes on their hindquarters and front legs, provide excellent camouflage in the tropical rainforests of the Congo region of Africa. Their average life span in the wild is unknown, but in captivity it is 20 to 30 years.

The acquisition is also an important milestone in the Zoo’s conservation efforts.  The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ascribes habitat loss as a major threat to the continued survival of okapi in their natural environment.  This loss is brought about by the clearing of the forests for agriculture and infrastructure development for human settlements, as well as hunting.   Through a partnership with White Oak Conservation Center, Jacksonville Zoo now has the opportunity to contribute to the Okapi Breeding and Research Station, near the village of Epulu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Here, the conservation partners work with the Congolese Institution for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) to provide a reservoir for new genetic stock into the captive okapi population as well as creating alternative strategies for economic development to the local community.  

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, 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).  For more information on the Zoo, log on to jacksonvillezoo.org.   

Eight New Penguins and Their Exhibit, Tuxedo Coast, Are Welcomed to the Jacksonville Zoo