Jacksonville Zoo breaks ground on expanded Manatee River habitat, new VyStar SkyScape entrance

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens broke ground Friday on Manatee River, a gift from J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, and the new VyStar SkyScape entrance.

The two transformational projects are part of Rezoovenation, the Zoo’s capital campaign to upgrade the entrance and expand and add new animal habitats.

DONATE: To give to the Zoo’s Rezoovenation program, click here.

The VyStar SkyScape will be the centerpiece of a new Zoo entrance as an iconic open-air roof structure covering 25,000 square feet and extending 50 feet high. It will include admissions, guest relations, retail, food and beverage space, a stage, a VIP lounge, meeting spaces, and a full-service catering kitchen.

Once through the SkySkape entrance, visitors will then see the new Manatee River habitat.

As an expansion of the current Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC), the Manatee River habitats will connect to four additional treatment pools, providing a total of 330,000 gallons of rehabilitation space.

The Zoo is one of six federally permitted acute care facilities for manatees in Florida and currently can treat up to six manatees at a time. The expansion will allow the Zoo to treat at least 15 more manatees at a time.

“We are so proud of the 35 animals that we’ve released so far,” said Dr. Jeff Ettling, President and CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “And it’s thrilling on the rare occasion when we hear of a sighting after their release.”

Mayor Donna Deegan and several city council members, including President Ron Salem, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Sadly, as many of you know, manatee rescue and rehabilitation not only is now more important than ever, it’s critical because of the lack of seagrass, the boat strikes, the illness from cold stress, all those things that threaten their very existence,” Deegan said. “I can’t think of a better way (than Manatee River) to welcome guests to the start of this wonderful Zoo experience.”

The Manatee River habitat will mirror the state’s waterways and incorporate native fish, reptiles and birds.

“We are hopeful that by showcasing manatees in their habitats and educating the public about them in such a fun and informative way the zoo will spark a renewed community interest in these magnificent animals,” Deegan said.

Other planned projects for Rezoovenation include a new education campus with an expanded lion habitat, a redesigned elephant habitat, and the introduction of orangutans. The overall cost for the projects is estimated at around $120 million. To learn more about the campaign and giving, visit jacksonvillezoo.org/rezoovenation.