Editing The Zoo Northwest Florida
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{{Infobox Park | {{Infobox Park | ||
− | |park= | + | |park=The Zoo Northwest Florida |
|image=TheZooEntrance.jpg | |image=TheZooEntrance.jpg | ||
|caption=The Zoo's entrance | |caption=The Zoo's entrance | ||
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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=" | + | |mapcode=<googlemap lat="30.400714" lon="-86.983223" zoom="16" width="288" height="288"> |
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 | + | The Zoo was founded in [[1984]] by four businessmen, including [[Pat Quinn]], who became its director. On [[September 1]], [[2004]], weeks after 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. | |
− | == | + | ==Exhibits & animals== |
− | :'' | + | :''List incomplete. Cost per year to feed each animal is listed in parentheses.''<ref name="closing"/> |
− | * | + | *Asia, a female Bengal tiger ($3,000) |
− | + | *Mwelu, a Western lowland gorilla ($2,500) | |
− | + | *Gabby, a female giraffe ($2,000) | |
− | + | *Larry, a male African lion ($3,000) | |
− | + | *Jafar, a male greater one-horned rhino ($2,000) | |
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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=== | ||
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===Animal deaths=== | ===Animal deaths=== | ||
− | In the first seven months of [[2007]], a total of 44 animals had died in the Zoo from various causes.<ref name="woes">"Zoo woes take center stage." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 29, 2007.</ref> In January, four kangroos died of bacteria-related illness within a three-day period.<ref>[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/1956 String of kangaroo deaths plagues zoo] - [[Northwest Florida Daily News]], January 17, 2007</ref> Two popular animals were found dead by zookeepers in July. Baby hippopotamus Niles died on [[July 7]] from a punctured lung caused by her father, Kiboko.<ref>"Father's bite killed baby hippo." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 13, 2007.</ref> On [[July 17]], 10-year-old giraffe Sammy died from "acute stress and increased body temperature" resulting from a neck injury, possibly incurred by one of the posts or cables that surround the giraffes' enclosure.<ref>"Zoo loses Sammy the giraffe." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref> | + | In the first seven months of [[2007]], a total of 44 animals had died in the Zoo from various causes.<ref name="woes">"Zoo woes take center stage." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 29, 2007.</ref> In January, four kangroos died of bacteria-related illness within a three-day period.<ref>[http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/1956 String of kangaroo deaths plagues zoo] - [[Northwest Florida Daily News]], January 17, 2007</ref> Two popular animals were found dead by zookeepers in July. Baby hippopotamus Niles died on [[July 7]] from a punctured lung caused by her father, Kiboko.<ref>"Father's bite killed baby hippo." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 13, 2007.</ref> On [[July 17]], 10-year-old giraffe Sammy died from "acute stress and increased body temperature" resulting from a neck injury, possibly incurred by one of the posts or cables that surround the giraffes' enclosure.<ref>"Zoo loses Sammy the giraffe." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref> |
===Injuries and escaped animals=== | ===Injuries and escaped animals=== | ||
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*Taking blood from the Zoo's goats to feed vampire bats. | *Taking blood from the Zoo's goats to feed vampire bats. | ||
*Housing reptiles for months on end in a concrete building without sunlight. | *Housing reptiles for months on end in a concrete building without sunlight. | ||
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==References== | ==References== |