| ABBryant/SFCTZ edit | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 29°40′55″N 82°26′18″W / 29.6819°N 82.4382°W | |
| Location | Gainesville, Florida |
| Land area | 10 acres (4.0 ha)[1] |
| No. of animals | 200+[2] |
| No. of species | 75[2] |
| Memberships | AZA[3] |
| Website | www |
The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) zoo in Gainesville, Florida. As part of Santa Fe College, It is the only zookeeper training facility in the United States with its own AZA-accredited zoo on grounds, and has been accredited since 2000.[2]
Guided tours led by zookeepers and students are available at the teaching zoo for a fee.[1]
History
editThe Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo was established in 1970. It comprises 10 acres (4.0 ha) of forested land on the west side of the Santa Fe College main campus.
Animals
editThe zoo is home to over 220 individual animals representing more thatn 75 species,[citation needed] including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and birds. The collection includes lar gibbons (Hylobates lar), Matschie's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei), and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
The zoo participates in several AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, for Lar Gibbons and Matschie's Tree-kangaroo as well as Oriental Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus), red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra), and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis)[citation needed]. The programs have been successful with, most recently, the birth of a red ruffed lemur. [4]
The Zoo Animal Technology Program
editStudents spend 18 months learning about animal husbandry, breeding, nutrition, medical care, physiology, taxonomic relationships, conservation, enclosure construction, proper zoo sanitation, and other topics through classwork and actual work as keepers in the zoo.
Students of the Zoo Animal Technology Program are known as Zooies.[citation needed]
Events
editThe zoo is a popular destination for both local residents and tourists. The zoo hosts several events open to the public throughout the year, including S.T.A.R.S (Sea Turtles At Risk).[citation needed]
The annual "Boo at the Zoo" (BATZ) Halloween festival features a trick-or-treat and extended hours. The 2011 "Boo at the Zoo" attracted over 6000 guests. Admission cost only a can of food.[5]
Notes
edit- ^ a b
"Visit Us". sfcollege.edu. Sante Fe COllege. Retrieved 20 march 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c
"Zoo Fact Sheet". sfcollege.edu. Sante Fe COllege. Retrieved 20 march 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Hernandez, Amanda (9 August 2012). "Zoo Welcomes Baby Red Ruffed Lemur". Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ^ Warren, Georgia (31 October 2011), "Children, animals combine for Boo at the Zoo", The Gainesville Sun