Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jacksonville, FL
This AZA-award winning South American project features the largest jaguar exhibit in North America, a Lost Temple herpetarium and small mammal building, the Emerald Forest Aviary, additional exhibits and the relaxing, Spanish Colonial-themed Palm Plaza.
Design Framework Characteristics
Project Type
This Central and South American exhibit, the Zoo’s largest upon completion, includes a wide variety of species from the jaguar’s extraordinary natural habitat throughout the Americas. A large breeding collection of jaguars is seen in two natural habitats, one of which has an underwater viewing pool. Two rotation exhibits provide viewing of giant anteater, capybara and tapirs on the ground and four species of monkeys in the trees overhead. A large walk-through aviary, the Emerald Forest Exhibit, provides an immersive experience to view birds, small primates, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Harpy eagles, king vultures and giant river otters are viewed in their own habitats from the walk-through aviary.
A pre-Columbian temple ruin provides an air-conditioned setting to view the wide diversity of life from the neo-tropics. Among the winding halls of the captivating Lost Temple, visitors can see bushmaster snakes, boa constrictors, anaconda, poison dart frogs, cotton-topped tamarins, pygmy marmosets and more.
A themed Spanish Colonial café/bistro, gift shop and restrooms buildings complete this exciting addition to the Jacksonville Zoo.
Project Characteristics
- AZA Top Exhibit Award
- Rotational exhibit
- Highly Themed “Temple” Complex
- Immersive Guest Experience
- Part of a Greater Exhibit Complex that Includes Event Space, Birds & Mammals, and Café