Zoos in Florida

Florida lists 52 zoos, sanctuaries and wildlife attractions, and its warm climate supports everything from big-city zoological parks to small private reserves. Zoo Miami, on almost 750 acres southwest of Miami, is accredited by the AZA and houses over 3,000 animals. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens opened in 1914 on 122 acres and combines animal exhibits with botanical gardens. On the Atlantic coast, Brevard Zoo in Melbourne sits on 75 acres, while Save the Chimps in Fort Pierce is a 150-acre sanctuary dedicated to chimpanzees and not open to the public. Naples Zoo and Palm Beach Zoo serve the southern coasts, Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is in Sanford, and many smaller exotic-animal facilities fill in the rest of the map.