Brevard Zoo’s 2024 Year in Review – Most Memoriable Moments of the Year
By Beth York, Space Coast Daily // January 1, 2025
open New Year's Day 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
ABOVE VIDEO: The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is a ‘small zoo, that does big things’. Take a look back at some of the most memorable animal moments in 2024.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne is a ‘small zoo, that does big things’. Take a look back at some of the most memorable animal moments in 2024.
From conservation wins to important animal care, the dedicated staff and volunteers are central to Brevard Zoo’s mission of sharing the joy of nature to help people and wildlife thrive.
The East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was formed by a small group of people with a big dream: building a zoo. A world-class zoo that would serve as a conservation hub where people could gather to learn about animals and nature. A place to escape from the manmade world and reconnect with the diversity of the life with which we share this planet.
They had the vision, but they needed the resources. Executives from the major aerospace companies collaborated to craft architectural designs and provide labor for this ambitious project. A. Duda and Sons graciously donated a large tract of land just east of Interstate 95—a prime location for the Zoo.
The next major show of support came from the county commissioners. Through the Tourism Development Council, they committed a $2.5 million loan to be paid back with 15% of the one-third penny hotel tax.
Another fundraising effort included the establishment of a 303-member Founder’s Society that helped the Zoo match a $500,000 grant from the state. More money was raised by selling T-shirts and thousands of memberships, all before the Zoo was even built!
More than anything, these early fundraising successes illustrate the incredibly high level of community support the Zoo has enjoyed since its inception. This small band of dedicated people had raised $3.5 million and recruited more than 16,000 volunteers to construct the largest community-built zoo in the world.
In March 1994, the Zoo opened its gates to the public. Visitors delightedly meandered the newly built boardwalks, exploring a thick native Florida forest as the animals settled into their new homes. A jaguar, tapirs, anteaters and a myriad of monkeys and birds inspired fascination and a passion for conservation.
La Selva, Wild Florida and the innovative Paws On play area were the first areas of the Zoo to be constructed. Australasia made its debut in 1996 and Expedition Africa opened in 2003. Treetop Trek, a parallel attraction consisting of five expansive aerial obstacle courses, welcomed its first guests in 2011.
As the Zoo itself grew, so did its commitment to conservation and education. The Zoo is involved in efforts to restore native oysters and mangroves in the Indian River Lagoon to ensure cleaner water and stable shorelines. The Sea Turtle Healing Center opened in early 2014, and it is the only sea turtle rehabilitation center in Brevard County.
Through daily presentations, summer camps, field trips and an onsite “Zoo School,” the Zoo’s education department impacts tens of thousands of children each year. As part of the “Lagoon Quest” program, every fourth grader in Brevard Public Schools is brought to the Lagoon for two full days of hands-on exploration and learning.
As we look towards our future and what the next 30 years might look like, Brevard Zoo wanted to make sure you knew about the transformative project they are working on through Our Legacy Campaign to build a future Aquarium and Conservation Center in Port Canaveral. This second campus will be an expansion of the work they do at Brevard Zoo and so much more. With your support, Brevard Zoo can continue to ensure a future for wildlife and the health of our planet. Please make your tax-deductible gift online.
“We Share Our Joy of Nature to Help Wildlife and People Thrive.” To support that mission, Brevard Zoo focuses on:
- Caring responsibly, professionally and passionately for our animals
- Connecting visitors to the natural world through a relevant, unique and enjoyable Zoo experiences
- Educating diverse audiences through authentic learning activities and through our on-going partnership with -Brevard Public Schools and other educational providers
- Inspiring and engaging our community in conservation action through participation
- Achieving conservation results by working directly with Florida species, supporting international programs and developing training programs and workshops
- Contributing to the financial health of the region through prudent, accountable and entrepreneurial management
Brevard Zoo is located at 8225 North Wickham Road in Melbourne 321 – 254 – 9453.
Brevard Zoo is open New Year’s Day 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Last Admission 3:30 p.m.
For more info CLICK HERE.
