The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has plenty going on this summer and into fall, from manatees inching closer to wild release to a popular beer festival returning in September. Zoo staff recently shared a wide-ranging look at what visitors can expect in the months ahead.
On the manatee rehabilitation front, one rescued manatee named Alpine has already been released back into the wild in Crystal River after reaching a healthy weight. Two others — Cullen, who currently weighs around 600 pounds and needs to get to roughly 700 before release, and Francesco — are both making steady progress. Staff feed the animals hundreds of pounds of lettuce daily as part of their recovery. Zoo representatives noted that more than 90% of the manatees they help rescue are recovering from boat strikes, and they hope the exhibit encourages visitors to respect no-wake zones on Florida waterways.
On the events calendar, the Dinosauria traveling exhibit runs only through August 2, so families have a narrow window left to catch the dinosaur displays before staff begin transitioning the space toward Spooktacular. Brew at the Zoo returns September 12 — early-bird ticket pricing is available through August 1, and the event has been close to selling out in recent years. Budget-conscious visitors can also still take advantage of the Endless Summer Pass, which allows unlimited return visits through September 30 when purchased with a regular admission ticket.
The zoo also introduced Samwise, a 9-year-old blue-tongued skink born at the North Carolina Zoo who serves as an ambassador animal at schools and community events. Named alongside a fellow skink called Pippin — both inspired by characters from The Lord of the Rings — Samwise is more than a foot long and uses her vivid blue tongue to startle potential predators. Zoo staff used the introduction as an opportunity to caution anyone considering exotic pets: blue-tongued skinks can live 15 to 20 years, and animals released by overwhelmed owners can threaten Florida's native wildlife.
Staff also offered a few everyday conservation reminders, including checking for gopher tortoise burrows before any digging or construction and always moving a road-crossing turtle in the direction it was already heading. This coverage originally appeared on 104.5 WOKV.
