

"The Zoo Northwest Florida to reopen this month".

The Zoo has several interactive feeding areas including a large petting area, a giraffe feeding area, and a walk-through budgerigar enclosure. The walking portion includes many animals including American black bears, lions, tigers, clouded leopards, red kangaroo, Galapagos tortoises, and a large variety of exotic birds such as American flamingos, Indian peafowl, owls, macaws, king vultures, laughing kookaburra, ostriches and toucans.

#GULF BREEZE ZOO GRAND OPENING FREE#
The Gulf Breeze Zoo is divided into 20 acres of walking exhibits and a 30 acres free roaming preserve area that guests take a guided train ride through. In February 2019, a family of six orangutans arrived at the zoo from a conservation center in Connecticut. In 2018, the zoo, which at that time was about 50 acres, purchased 35 acres of additional land on the west side of the current site on U.S. She was the first ever rhino calf to be born in its 34-year history. On Januthe first baby white rhino was born at Gulf Breeze Zoo. It was renovated and reopened on February 18, 2010, as Gulf Breeze Zoo. In December 2009, the zoo was purchased and rescued by a team of zoological professionals from Virginia Safari Park of Natural Bridge, Virginia. On August 20, 2009, county officials announced that the closure of the zoo would be permanent. It closed temporarily on August 17, 2009, awaiting the decisions from the governments of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to provide $125,000 each in funding. In 20, hurricanes Ivan and Dennis struck the area with devastating effect to the Zoo. In 2004, unable to make a profit, the founders handed over ownership to the nonprofit Gulf Coast Zoological Society. The zoo began with about 60 animals on 19 acres of land. Pat Quinn, one of the founders, became its first director. It was established in its current location in 1984 by four local businessmen. The zoo started on an acre of land on Burgess Road and later on a larger tract in Cantonment, Florida. Activities include hand-feeding of some animals including giraffes. It has over 900 exotic animals including rhinos, hippos, Western lowland gorillas, and orangutans that visitors can view during an African preserve train ride. The Gulf Breeze Zoo (originally The Zoo Northwest Florida) is a 50-acre (20 ha) zoo located in Woodlawn Beach, Florida, neighboring Navarre and Gulf Breeze, Florida.
