- Gulf Breeze Zoo
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Gulf Breeze Zoo Date opened 16 February 1978 (as The Zoo Northwest Florida)
18 February 2010 (as Gulf Breeze Zoo)[1]Location Gulf Breeze, Florida, USA Land area 50 acres (20 ha)[2] Coordinates 30°24′04″N 86°59′22″W / 30.40121°N 86.98956°WCoordinates: 30°24′04″N 86°59′22″W / 30.40121°N 86.98956°W Major exhibits train ride Website http://www.gulfbreezezoo.org Gulf Breeze Zoo (originally The Zoo Northwest Florida) is a 50-acre (20 ha) zoo located in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Contents
History
Plagued by financial troubles since Hurricane Ivan struck the area in 2004, the zoo closed on 17 August 2009, awaiting the decisions from the governments of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to provide $125,000 each in funding.[3]
On 20 August 2009, zoo officials announced that the closure of the Zoo would be permanent.[3]
The zoo was purchased by Virginia Safari Park of Natural Bridge, Va. in December 2009, and was reopened on 18 February 2010 as Gulf Breeze Zoo.[1][4]
Exhibits
A path through the zoo gardens lets visitors see many animals including primates, large cats, bears and birds. It leads to a large petting area, a giraffe feeding station, and indoor reptile and bat exhibits. A raised boardwalk lets visitors see herds of deer, wildebeest, and ostrich, as well as cape hunting dogs, and watch the activity on Chimp Island.[2]
A miniature train takes visitors on a 20-minute guided tour, where they can see deer, antelope, and zebras roaming in a 30-acre (12 ha) enclosure, and get a close view of gorillas and Nile hippos.[2]
Notes
- ^ a b Leavenworth, Christina (18 February 2010). "Former Northwest Florida Zoo reopens". fox10tv.com. WALA-TV. http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/mobile_news/former-northwest-florida-zoo-reopens. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ a b c "Gulf Breeze Zoo". gulfbreezezoo.org. Gulf Breeze Zoo. http://www.gulfbreezezoo.org. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ a b "Zoo Northwest Florida closes for good". fox10tv.com. WALA-TV. 20 August 2009. http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/on_the_money/local_economy/Zoo_Northwest_Florida_Closes_For_Good. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
- ^ Barker, Jeff (12 February 2010). "The Zoo Northwest Florida to reopen this month". nwfdailynews.com. Freedom Communications. http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/reopen-25723-breeze-zoo.html. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
External links
Aquariums & Zoos of Florida Aquariums Zoos - Brevard Zoo
- Butterfly World
- Center for Great Apes
- Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- Dade City's Wild Things
- Flamingo Gardens
- Gulf Breeze Zoo
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Lion Country Safari
- Lowry Park Zoo
- Naples Zoo
- Palm Beach Zoo
- Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
- Zoo Miami
Animal Theme Parks Zoos, aquariums, and aviaries Types of zoos Conservation Lists Animals Other topics - Animals in captivity
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- Frozen zoo
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Categories:- Zoos in Florida
- Buildings and structures in Santa Rosa County, Florida
- Visitor attractions in Santa Rosa County, Florida
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