Emerald Coast Zoo

About Emerald Coast Zoo

Emerald Coast Zoo is a family-owned zoo at 5262 Deer Springs Dr. in Crestview, Florida. The zoo's mission statement reads, "We are a small zoo focused on God, working for the enjoyment of His people and the happiness of His animals in our care." The website also says the zoo relies on admissions and gift shop revenue and receives no governmental funding. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

History

According to the zoo's website, Debbie Mattox established the Sasquatch Zoo in 1989. The site says it began with a canoe ride on the Shoal River with a spider monkey, and that flooding on the river led her to move her animals to higher ground near Highway 90, the zoo's present location. In late 2017 the de Ridder family, Rick, Sara and their three children, moved from Cocoa Beach to Crestview, took over the zoo, moved onto the property and renamed it Emerald Coast Zoo. The site describes Rick, known as Rick the Reptile Guy, as the star of the A&E show Wild Transport. The website says Debbie Mattox still educates the community on animal conservation at the zoo, and that the zoo is building new exhibits.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's encounter listings name giraffes, sloths, a black bear, a hyena, kangaroos and wallabies, penguins, an Aldabra tortoise the site says was born over a century ago, a boa constrictor and an American alligator, and the site refers to a Reptile House and to free-range animals roaming the grounds. The Destin Fort Walton Beach tourism listing mentions sloths, kangaroos, giraffes and bears, an aviary where visitors can feed the birds, and a lion that is fed at noon every day.

Conservation and programs

The zoo offers paid animal encounters, listed on its website: feeding giraffes, petting a sloth, feeding birds, giving a treat to a bear, feeding a hyena, hopping with kangaroos and wallabies, helping a keeper feed penguins, meeting a giant tortoise, and holding a boa constrictor or an alligator. The bear and hyena encounters are listed for ages 12 and up and the penguin encounter for ages 5 and up. Pricing is on the zoo's website.

Events listed on the website have included Snake Yoga classes in the Reptile House, a free Night of Worship with speakers including Jason McLeod from the film Facing the Giants, and Trick or Treat days with a costume contest at noon. Birthday parties, field trips for school and homeschool groups, and private after-hours rentals and overnight camping events are also offered. The website also lists ways to support the zoo, including donor garden plaques, memorial benches, a sponsor wall and exhibit sponsorship.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, Emerald Coast Zoo is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays, and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The FAQ says the zoo is open year-round, rain or shine unless conditions are hazardous, and that visitors typically spend about two hours there. The site lists free parking, a Snack Shack with beverages, light snacks and ice cream, a picnic area, and wagon and golf cart rentals at the gift shop; outside food is allowed. Leashed pets are permitted, and smoking and vaping are allowed only in the parking lot. Ticket details are on the zoo's website. The phone number is (850) 682-3949.