Jacksonville Zoo by the Numbers: 112 Years, 122 Acres and More Than 2,000 Animals

Jacksonville, Fla. - The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has grown from a single red deer fawn in 1914 into a 122-acre attraction with more than 2,000 animals and more than 1,000 plant species. Now 112 years old, it draws more than 1 million visitors a year.

It has moved, changed its name twice and added exhibits for decades. Its newest additions, VyStar SkyScape and the Manatee River habitat, opened March 6, 2026.

Jacksonville Zoo by the numbers

From one deer to 122 acres

The zoo began May 12, 1914, in the Springfield neighborhood. Its first animal was a red deer fawn.

On July 19, 1925, it moved to a 37.5-acre site on the Trout River off Heckscher Drive on the Northside. Today it covers 122 acres, more than three times that original Northside property.

The name has changed too. Jacksonville Zoological Gardens became Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 2003. On May 19, 2025, it became the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, putting the gardens right in the name.

Who runs it and how it is paid for

The Jacksonville Zoological Society has operated the zoo since June 21, 1971, and has 30 trustees.

Money comes from a city subsidy plus admissions, memberships, concessions and sponsorships. The zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA.

30 years of new exhibits

The list runs from birds and primates to big cats and manatees, rather than focusing on one kind of animal.

A $50 million plan

In 2021, the zoo announced a $50 million redevelopment plan called "ReZoovenation." Phase 2 broke ground in 2023.

The 25,000-square-foot VyStar SkyScape and the Manatee River habitat, which opened in March 2026, are the latest additions on the timeline.

Jaguars, tigers and an elephant with a famous donor

Some animals have become part of the zoo's story.

• Zorro, a black jaguar who lived from 1967 to 1986, fathered many cubs.
• Harry (born 2009) and Babette are the zoo's current jaguars. Their cub, Banks, was born April 7, 2023.
• Four Malayan tigers live there as a family: father Bashir, mother Cinta and daughters Mina and Beppy.
• Ali, an elephant, was donated by Michael Jackson in 1997.

Conservation beyond Jacksonville

The zoo takes part in more than 50 national and international conservation programs and more than 95 Species Survival Plan breeding programs.

A local example: a wood stork colony began in 1999 and grew to 82 nesting pairs with 219 chicks in 2005.

Internationally, the zoo formed a partnership with Guyana's Iwokrama Forest in 2004.

Three names in 112 years

The newest name reflects what visitors see today: more than 1,000 plant species growing alongside more than 2,000 animals.

Then and now

Meet the big cats

The jaguars have their own exhibit history too: Range of the Jaguar opened in spring 2004 and won an AZA exhibit award in 2005.

What the numbers mean for Jacksonville

In 112 years, the zoo went from one deer in Springfield to a 122-acre Northside attraction that draws more than 1 million visitors a year. It is still adding to its story: the $50 million ReZoovenation plan announced in 2021 and the March 2026 openings show a zoo that keeps building.

Quick Q&A

How old is the Jacksonville Zoo? 112 years. It was founded May 12, 1914.

How big is it? 122 acres, up from 37.5 acres when it moved to the Northside in 1925.

How many animals live there? More than 2,000, plus more than 1,000 plant species.

What's new? VyStar SkyScape and the Manatee River habitat, both opened March 6, 2026.

Who runs it? The Jacksonville Zoological Society, since 1971.

Before you go

Check the zoo's website for current hours and prices; they are not included here.

How we did this

This report uses information from Wikipedia's "Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens" article, reviewed Oct. 23, 2026. Prices, hours and seasonal events were not verified and are not included.