Though not endangered, this bird is a rare find on the North American continent, and has, in this case, taken up permanent residence in a tree overlooking the Plains of Africa.

In the spring of 2003, the Jax Zoo investigated and could not find a current North American captive-born black jaguar that was not a descendant of Zorro.

Community leaders, under the direction of Mayor Hans Tanzler, appointed a seven-member committee to search for an alternative to closing the zoo.

Projects completed include a new front entry gate and parking lot, the Main Camp entrance, Birds of the Rift Valley Aviary, Great Apes, an expanded train ride, an elephant and breeding complex, RiverBranch Foundation Animal Medical Center, the PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus, and redevelopment of the 11-acre (45,000 m2) Plains of East Africa.

Over the next five years, several new exhibits and services, including the famed Range of the Jaguar, the Savanna Blooms botanical garden, and the Children's Play Park successfully opened to the public.

All other zoo expenses are paid through revenues earned from admissions, concession sales, memberships, the Animal Care Club program, the Annual Fund, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events.

In late 2008, the zoo began to add Asian animals to the aviary, including a muntjac and a Victoria crowned pigeon.

It lies across a water break from the larger exhibit containing white rhinoceroses, kudu, ostrich and crowned cranes inhabit the areas at the end of the boardwalk.

[12] Their habitat is now home to yellow-billed storks, African spoonbills, northern bald ibises and southern screamers.

Here, manatees from the waterways of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia that are found to be suffering from injury, illness, or cold-stress, can be brought for treatment, recuperation, recovery, and eventual release.

[16] Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Opened in March 2002, the Outback Steakhouse's Australian Adventure attraction was the first new major exhibit at the south end of the zoo in seven years.

The exhibit includes a Splash Ground water park (open seasonally) for children, an outdoor jungle gym, and a hedge maze.

It features plantings and design elements drawn from throughout Asia, and is not intended to represent a specific country or culture.

A large lotus pond and koi pool incorporate rock and water features intended to evoke Chinese yin and yang principles.

Each of the tigers are given access to a state-of-the-art exhibit which features a walk-through tunnel system, that allows the large cats to choose where they would like to roam.

Mammals Birds Reptiles Fish With the opening of the Range of the Jaguar exhibit, the zoo also unveiled its project with the nation of Guyana and the Iwokrama Forest.

[20][21] The antelope exhibit in the Plains of East Africa has become home to a large breeding colony of wood storks.

Nestled beneath the Giraffe Overlook, visitors will find acacia groves that flank two entrances into the one-half acre garden.

Visitors rest beneath the curved trellis laden with fragrant flowering vines and view the garden's splendor from an internal vantage point.

The heart of the new addition is the 1/4 acre garden space, partially walled with a fountain with an anhinga sculpture, flower beds and a lot of hardscape.

Seven live oaks and other native trees - red maples, magnolias, and forest pansies - have been planted in the area around the garden to provide shade.

Some of the significant features of this garden include the Moon Gate, Lotus Pool, Weeping Tree Bridge, and the Orchid Pavilion.

Classes take place PepsiCo Foundation Education Campus located at the south end of the Zoo's main parking lot.

JZG is a field trip destination for nearly 100,000 school students, teachers and chaperones every year from as far away as Columbia, SC & Savannah, GA, Orlando & Tallahassee, FL.

Zoocademy is a unique experience for Homeschool students ages 5–18, covering a range of topics in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science and Conservation.

The Education Department's After Dark Adventures are unique events that take participants behind the scenes to meet the exotic animal collection up-close.

Camp programs include Zoo tours, activities and games, crafts, and hands-on encounters with animals every day.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a part of Miami University’s graduate-level Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP).

AIP Master's students earn 35 credit hours by experiential learning at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as well as core curriculum courses that occur on the web.

[39] The area along the Trout River waterfront at the zoo is set to become formal botanical gardens in the future, as funding is obtained.