After celebrating its 50th anniversary last year, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden has been creating new ways to engage visitors through experiences, adding new animals to its colorful collection of creatures from around the world.
In response to the influx of spring break camping and family visitors, the zoo is preparing Easter-themed fun and educational opportunities for the whole family. Find out what you can do at Sanford’s 116-acre zoo and botanical garden.
Insider tour
Learn more about the zoo’s residents. Recently launched Insider Tour, Offered Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The guided experience shares stories about how specific animals came to the zoo and the care that goes into each animal’s care.
These story-driven encounters highlight the zoo’s history and encourage animal lovers and curious explorers to come prepared with questions and eager to learn. The 60-minute tour, tailored to each group’s interests, helps visitors get to know the zoo better.
Tours cost $12 for zoo annual passholders and $15 for non-members. Advance purchase is recommended.
Other ways to get up close to animals include rhino encounters and giraffe feedings.
virtual reality
Last year, the Central Florida Zoo launched a virtual reality experience where you can see polar bears, dinosaurs, gorillas and sharks without having to travel far from home. The attraction’s motion platform seating increases immersion in the adventure.
This experience is open to all visitors who are at least 35 inches tall. Tickets are $8 each, $7.50 for 2-3 tickets, and $6.25 for 4 tickets.
wellness garden
Last fall, the Central Florida Zoo held a ribbon-cutting for its newly renovated Wellness Garden, sponsored by AdventHealth. This is an educational space that conveys the “healing power of plants” through cooking, medicinal herbs, and greenery.
Arboretum tours are typically held on the first Saturday or Sunday of each month.
new animals
Fossa puppies are the headliner in new animal news at the Central Florida Zoo. Last year, the zoo’s female Alina gave birth to two female cubs, Anansi and Mahaly. The news was important because less than 2,500 fossas, native to Madagascar, remain in the wild due to habitat loss and disease.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended breeding zoo males and females to produce offspring under Fossa’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps ensure the continued survival of endangered species. Currently, there are only 34 fossas in the SSP population.
The zoo also welcomed a new herd of 12 Nigerian dwarf goats and recently welcomed three Chacoan peccaries, two from New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo and one from the San Francisco Zoo.
In smaller news, the Central Florida Zoo currently has two majestic jumping spiders and an emperor scorpion, all of which are in quarantine. The Western Green Mamba Snake is also a new addition to the zoo’s collection, but is currently kept behind the scenes.
Provided by/Central Florida Zoo
Hippie Hop Adventure returns to the Central Florida Zoo to celebrate Easter with family-friendly fun. (Courtesy of Central Florida Zoo)
special events
Just in time for Easter, the Zoo’s Hippity Hop Adventure returns on April 4th. There will be a treasure hunt throughout the zoo, a DJ dance party at the splash pad, and even a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Kids Night Out on April 11th, celebrating Earth Day, is open to visitors ages 5-12. This experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at the Ambassador Animals, a flashlight tour of the zoo, games, crafts, snacks, and more, all after dark. The event cost is $32 per child of an annual passholder and $37 per child who is not a passholder.
On May 16, the zoo will host an all-day Party for the Planet. This will be the largest comprehensive Earth Day celebration in North America. Participate in Earth-focused activities, crafts, and games.
The Zoo’s Night Hike on June 20 will see the zoo in a “whole new light” with a guided tour by flashlight after dark for visitors ages 5 and up. Tickets are $30 for adults and $23 for children ages 5-12, with discounts available for passholders.
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Detailed information
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden: 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford, 407-323-4450; centralfloridazoo.org
