@DavidBrown the Houston Zoo also has plans to get giant otters for their new pantanal exhibit that’s opening next year
Thanks @DavidBrown for this information !
Was at the zoo yesterday and they have Joel Sartore's Photo Ark exhibition set up on the main path.
The zoo is caring for a beached manatee that may be suffering from cold stress.
Beached manatee rescued from Mayport being treated at Jacksonville Zoo
Beached manatee rescued from Mayport being treated at Jacksonville Zoo
Went to the zoo today and the Eastern Bongo keeper said they will be acquiring a new male soon probably within a month or two to replace Tambo who passed away in March. Also, construction on the front entrance manatee exhibit has begun and the boardwalk leading up to the Reticulated Giraffe feeding platform in Savanna Blooms has been widened to accommodate lines for the giraffe feeding experience.
Four Asian Short Clawed Otter pups were born on December 28, 2019 to parents Carlisle and Harley.
Florida zoo welcomes adorable otter pups
Florida zoo welcomes adorable otter pups
The Jacksonville Zoo will re-open this weekend (May 8-10); the exact plan and guidelines are TBD: Reopening Jacksonville: Restrictions lifted at Duval beaches Wednesday, Zoo reopens this weekend
I was at the zoo today and at the Giraffe Overlook a keeper told me that a new adult giraffe bull is coming from Arizona to replace Duke who passed away in December 2018. Also, there are a lot of Covid-19 precautions still up at the zoo. The popular elephant statues are fenced off and there are signs saying "Caution High Touch Area: Please Be Advised For Your Safety" at popular spots where touching is common. Also, the gorilla glass viewing window in the African Forest is fenced off.The divided main path is still in place and certain attractions such as the 4-D theater and the campground critters show remain closed. However, the aviaries are back open and everything seems to be more normal since the zoo is open again from 9:00am-5:00pm. I was surprised to see many people not wearing masks (I wore one). I was even more surprised that guests are allowed to feed the giraffes.
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The AZA awarded the zoo with Innovation in Exhbit Design award for their African Forest! Having only see photos and a couple videos, it truly deserves its namesake and worthy winner of its award 
It’s strong lineup of primates almost like an All Star game 
Honors & Awards: Association of Zoos & Aquariums
It’s strong lineup of primates almost like an All Star game Honors & Awards: Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Nicolai the elderly Amur leopard has died:
Nicolai, An Elderly Amur Leopard, Dies At The Jacksonville Zoo
Nicolai would have turned 19 this month, and had been fighting renal failure and other age-related complications.
Nicolai had lived at Jacksonville's zoo since 2013, when he was transferred from the El Paso Zoo.
Nicolai mate, Makarii, died in 2014, aged 18 years. They had three litters together:
Aug 27, 2010 - 1 cub surviving cub
May 31, 2012 - 2 surviving cubs
Nov 16, 2013 - 2 surviving cubs
Nicolai, An Elderly Amur Leopard, Dies At The Jacksonville Zoo
Nicolai would have turned 19 this month, and had been fighting renal failure and other age-related complications.
Nicolai had lived at Jacksonville's zoo since 2013, when he was transferred from the El Paso Zoo.
Nicolai mate, Makarii, died in 2014, aged 18 years. They had three litters together:
Aug 27, 2010 - 1 cub surviving cub
May 31, 2012 - 2 surviving cubs
Nov 16, 2013 - 2 surviving cubs
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May he rest in peace poor fellow
I hope they get a pair of African Leopards so they won't be suffering in the heat like how Nicolai was, always panting up a storm.
Unfortunately, Amur leopards are the only leopard subspecies that the AZA is focused on. I agree it would be good to have a leopard subspecies adapted to warmer climates, but that won't be Africans; there are no pure ones in human care in the country as far as I know.
I would stick with jaguars.
A bull giraffe has arrived at the zoo:
AJ is a 12-year-old bull giraffe who was born at Disney Animal Kingdom. He later spent some years at the El Paso Zoo before the Jacksonville Zoo acquired him.
Jacksonville Zoo has new giraffe | firstcoastnews.com
AJ is a 12-year-old bull giraffe who was born at Disney Animal Kingdom. He later spent some years at the El Paso Zoo before the Jacksonville Zoo acquired him.
Jacksonville Zoo has new giraffe | firstcoastnews.com
Two female Eastern bongo calves have been born:
Jacksonville Zoo celebrates birth of two Bongo babies
Both female calves, one born Dec. 17, the other on Jan. 8, are the first babies born from adult females, Sienna and Shimba, and dad, Mickey.
The calves’ mothers were born at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 2018. Sienna is the mother of the first calf born, who weighed 42 pounds at her neonatal exam on Dec. 22. Shimba is the mother to the second calf, who weighed 38 pounds at her exam on Jan. 11.
Jacksonville Zoo celebrates birth of two Bongo babies
Both female calves, one born Dec. 17, the other on Jan. 8, are the first babies born from adult females, Sienna and Shimba, and dad, Mickey.
The calves’ mothers were born at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 2018. Sienna is the mother of the first calf born, who weighed 42 pounds at her neonatal exam on Dec. 22. Shimba is the mother to the second calf, who weighed 38 pounds at her exam on Jan. 11.
On February 19th, it was reported that 5 resident West Indian manatees (3.2) have been moved from the zoo to Blue Spring State Park.
PHOTOS: Five Jacksonville Zoo manatees released from Blue Spring State Park
PHOTOS: Five Jacksonville Zoo manatees released from Blue Spring State Park
It means some of the Floridan and US zoos with rescuee manatees have rehabilitated 9 individuals over the last week back to the wilds!