The Central Florida Zoo was initially established as the Zoo in Sanford in the 1920s when a rhesus monkey was given away to the Elks Club by a traveling circus. Over time, more animals were added to the collection that the Sanford Fire Department held. This including a bulldog, a female monkey, an opossum, a skunk, a raccoon, and a squirrel! During the summer of 1975, the Zoo moved to its current location across from Lake Monroe. Similar to people relocating to Orlando looking at Orlando real estate.
Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, and Invertebrates, oh my! Today, with 23 acres of the property featuring animals and plants, the Central Florida zoo houses approximately 350 animals representing over 100 species! From the tiny scorpion to the long-necked giraffe, the zoo has the animals you long to see! So when moving to Orlando, come for a visit and meet some of the rarest animals on the planet and get to know the species from your own backyard safely, like the Florida black bear or the American alligator.
The Central Florida Zoo is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is supported by private donations and gate admission to be an affordable family destination. The quality of life offerings is enhanced in Central Florida by offering a one-of-a-kind animal experience. In some cases, the zoo goes mobile and is brought to those who don’t have the opportunity to see these animals in the wild. This zoo is also dedicated to the preservation and conservation of all animals worldwide. In addition, educational experiences for school children, who relocate to Orlando, are offered each year through summer camps, programs, and community outreaches to see real estate in Orlando.
The Central Florida Zoo empowers guests to respect and take care of the planet’s natural resources, conservation, and wildlife preservation through education. Creative solutions to problems through collaborative efforts are providing practices and partnerships around the world. This is helpful for relocation in Orlando.
Like many zoos, The Central Florida Zoo seeks these core values. To protect saving animals for long-term survival, discover solutions through practices and partnerships, engage people with wildlife, and empower guests, staff, and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to make positive action for all species on the planet.
Fortunately, the Central Florida Zoo is only about 30 minutes from Downtown Orlando and close to just about everything. So, if you are looking for fun and fabulous things to do with children, you must see this zoo!
Check out the Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo. Visitors can feed and interact with llamas, pygmy goats, alpacas, and many more animals. Or go on a roping adventure throughout the treetops with Seminole Aerial Adventures. Feed a giraffe or even meet an Indian rhinoceros. Finally, stay cool with a run through the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground.
If botanical beauty is your thing, the Central Florida Zoo has several gardens to catch your eye on the zoo property.
In the Butterfly Garden, explore a variety of perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs that are purposefully selected to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. As you make your way through the garden, you can find varieties of nectar and host plants supporting the butterfly’s life cycle. How magical!
In the Health and Wellness Garden, observe plants that play a unique role in our health and wellness as they are the foods we eat and some of the medicines we take. Visitors can explore the history of plants and medicine, plus discover culinary, aromatic, and medicinal herbs.
Plants have developed some quirky defense mechanisms to prevent being eaten. In the Spines, Thorns, and Prickles Garden, visitors learn about three different defenses: thorns, spines, and prickles.
Central Florida Zoo boasts an extensive collection of Bromeliads. A Bromeliad is a group of flowering plants belonging to the Bromeliaceae family. Within the Zoo, you will find groups of ground growing and tree growing bromeliads. Visitors can also see a variety of ferns with your Orlando relator.
Suppose you’re in Central Florida and looking for fun things to do with your kids. In that case, the Central Florida Zoo’s animals, gardens, and attractions are sure to make for one unforgettably fun day for the entire family and your realtor in Orlando.