Editing The Zoo Northwest Florida
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|visitors= | |visitors= | ||
|opened=[[1984]] | |opened=[[1984]] | ||
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|location=5701 [[Gulf Breeze Parkway]]<br/>Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 | |location=5701 [[Gulf Breeze Parkway]]<br/>Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 | ||
|mapcode=<googlemap lat="30.400714" lon="-86.983223" zoom="13" width="288" height="200"> | |mapcode=<googlemap lat="30.400714" lon="-86.983223" zoom="13" width="288" height="200"> | ||
30.40114, -86.984425, The ZOO Northwest Florida | 30.40114, -86.984425, The ZOO Northwest Florida | ||
</googlemap> | </googlemap> | ||
| − | }} | + | }}'''The Zoo Northwest Florida''' (also called '''The Gulf Breeze Zoo''' or simply '''The Zoo''') hosts over 900 animals on more than 30 acres of preservation land. The Zoo is located at 5701 [[Gulf Breeze Parkway]], 10 miles east of [[Gulf Breeze]] and 19 miles west of [[Fort Walton]]. In addition to the animals themselves, the Zoo features amenities such as the Safari Line Train, Jungle Café, Whistlestop Snack Bar, and a gift shop in the main building. |
| − | '''The Zoo Northwest Florida''' (also called '''The Gulf Breeze Zoo''' or simply '''The Zoo''') | ||
| − | The Zoo was founded in [[1984]] by four businessmen, including [[Pat Quinn]], who became its director. On [[September 1]], [[2004]], weeks before being damaged by [[Hurricane Ivan]], control was transferred to the non-profit '''Gulf Coast Zoological Society'''. After many years under the leadership of [[Doug Kemper]], inurance executive [[Danyelle Lantz]] was named executive director in October [[2007]] | + | The Zoo was founded in [[1984]] by four businessmen, including [[Pat Quinn]], who became its director. On [[September 1]], [[2004]], weeks before being damaged by [[Hurricane Ivan]], control was transferred to the non-profit '''Gulf Coast Zoological Society'''. After many years under the leadership of [[Doug Kemper]], inurance executive [[Danyelle Lantz]] was named executive director in October [[2007]]. |
| − | + | The Zoo has faced a number of [[#Problems|problems]] in recent years, including extensive damage from [[Hurricane Ivan]], dying animals and dwindling attendance. | |
==Animal exhibits== | ==Animal exhibits== | ||
| − | :'' | + | :''In order of a roughly clockwise progression through the Zoo. Please correct missing or inaccurate information. |
*'''Gibbon Island''' and '''Lemur Island''' – The first exhibit to greet guests outside the gift shop, a pond with two islands inhabited by lemurs (including Omega) and gibbons (including Mai Lang). | *'''Gibbon Island''' and '''Lemur Island''' – The first exhibit to greet guests outside the gift shop, a pond with two islands inhabited by lemurs (including Omega) and gibbons (including Mai Lang). | ||
*'''The Farm''' and '''Petting Zoo''' – Featuring an assortment of barnyard animals. | *'''The Farm''' and '''Petting Zoo''' – Featuring an assortment of barnyard animals. | ||
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==Facilities & other features== | ==Facilities & other features== | ||
| − | *'''Lion's Lair Gift Shop''' – Zoo entrance, ticket sales and gift shop, plus administrative offices and guest relations. Enclosures | + | *'''Lion's Lair Gift Shop''' – Zoo entrance, ticket sales and gift shop, plus administrative offices and guest relations. Enclosures hold a variety of animals including snakes (One-Eyed Willy, Lucifer and One-Way), hedgehogs (Bubba, Hedge and Snowball) and a Leopard Gecko (Pepe). |
| − | *'''Karibu Restaurant''' and '''Serengeti Room''' – | + | *'''Karibu Restaurant''' and '''Serengeti Room''' – Currently filled with terrariums holding frogs, tarantulas, etc.*'''Nairobi Snack Bar''' |
| − | *'''Nairobi Snack Bar''' | ||
*'''Wildlife Theater''' | *'''Wildlife Theater''' | ||
| − | *'''Boardwalk''' – | + | *'''Boardwalk''' – Overlooks the African Adventure wildlife preserve and terminates near Chimp Island, with coin-operated telescopes for viewing the animals. |
*'''Camellia Walk''' | *'''Camellia Walk''' | ||
*'''Japanese Garden''' | *'''Japanese Garden''' | ||
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==Problems== | ==Problems== | ||
===Finances=== | ===Finances=== | ||
| − | The Zoo operated in the red since its opening in [[1984]]. It sustained massive damages in [[Hurricane Ivan]], including a number of completely destroyed exhibits. Despite a $2.7 million policy, the Zoo's insurance company only paid $59,000 of more than $600,000 in damages.<ref name="closing">"The Zoo could be closing." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 7, 2007.</ref> | + | The Zoo has operated in the red since its opening in [[1984]]. It sustained massive damages in [[Hurricane Ivan]], including a number of completely destroyed exhibits. Despite a $2.7 million policy, the Zoo's insurance company only paid $59,000 of more than $600,000 in damages.<ref name="closing">"The Zoo could be closing." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 7, 2007.</ref> The ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' reported in July 2007 that the Zoo is in danger of closing unless $1 million is raised by the end of [[2007]].<ref name="closing"/> |
===Loss of accreditation=== | ===Loss of accreditation=== | ||
