BREVARD ZOO

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is doing its part to help the critically endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow boost the population of the species. Florida grasshopper sparrows are found only in a few areas of Central and South Florida. Breeding season for the Florida grasshopper sparrow begins in the spring when males signal their interest to the females to breed, through a buzzing sound. Read: Brevard Zoo hatches critically endangered baby chicks to help boost wild population“Reproduction takes a lot of energy for animals to do,” said Kelly Currier, conservation coordinator for the Brevard Zoo. We are happy to share that our breeding season for critically endangered Florida grasshopper sparrows was wildly successful!

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo welcomed a new furry species earlier this month. Giblet hatched three Osceola turkey chicks on Sept. 9 and 10. Photos: Brevard Zoo welcomes first-ever turkey chicksExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Brevard Zoo welcomes first-ever turkey chicks Giblet hatched three Osceola turkey chicks on Sept. 9 and 10. (Brevard Zoo/Brevard Zoo)The zoo has kept a small family of turkeys since September 2020 and while the female turkeys did lay eggs before, they did not produce chicks. Read: Brevard Zoo flamingo lays first eggs, hatches baby chickThe zoo said it is possible that Cranberry could provide more turkey chicks in the future.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo’s newest resident is a tiny Chilean flamingo chick. The chick is the product of the first eggs laid by the zoo’s flamingo flock. The zoo said it still has other eggs being incubated, so more babies may be on their way. Photos: Brevard Zoo hatches Chilean flamingo chickExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Brevard Zoo flamingo chick This was the first time the Brevard Zoo’s flamingo flock had laid eggs. (Brevard Zoo)Zoo officials said chicks can start leaving their nest as young as 3 days old, and they’ll slowly start to expand their boundaries and explore the area around them.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Brevard Zoo’s aquarium project at Port Canaveral is slated to open in 2027 — and the details for that opening have become clearer. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. VIDEO: Fundraising for Brevard Zoo’s Aquarium and Conservation Campus project nearly half complete The fundraising campaign for the Brevard County Zoo’s Aquarium and Conservation Campus is nearing the halfway mark with more than $47 million raised. (Melonie Holt, WFTV.com/WFTV)©2022 Cox Media Group

If you have children 11 years old or younger, now is a great time to visit the Brevard Zoo.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo and its menagerie of animals are hosting a career fair for Health First on Tuesday. The fair will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nyami Nyami River Lodge in the zoo, which is located at 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Health First representatives to learn about a career in health care and currently open positions. Video: Health First hospital in Melbourne prepares for the worst with active shooter drills The drill is the first of five to practice necessary procedures and response tactics. (WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Brevard Zoo has a new baby in the family: a female white-tailed deer fawn.

Two white-nosed coatis have made their debut at the Brevard Zoo and are now part of the coati band, according to the zoo’s website.

At almost three weeks old, a Grévy’s zebra foal made his debut in one of his habitats at the Brevard Zoo on Wednesday, according to a news release.

VIDEO: “Kids Name Kids”: Brevard Zoo letting children pick names of baby goats VIDEO: “Kids Name Kids”: Brevard Zoo letting children pick names of baby goats (WFTV)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is giving kids the chance to name kids. Brevard Zoo is inviting children to help name the four new young goats that call the zoo home. The “Kid Naming Kids” contest takes place at the zoo this weekend, July 22-24. Kids can make their vote at the zoo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from July 22-24 just outside the Barnyard. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 “Kids Name Kids”: Brevard Zoo letting children pick names of baby goats “Kids Name Kids”: Brevard Zoo letting children pick names of baby goatsBrevard Zoom Animal Ambassador keepers, who care for the goats, came up with four themed names that kids get to choose from.

Brevard Zookeepers give inside look at day-to-day duties taking care of Spider Monkeys and Black Bears

Animal care staff at Brevard Zoo excitedly shared news Friday that a second of their endangered Grévy’s zebras had given birth to a foal.

A 19-year-old alpaca died Thursday after battling chronic kidney disease for several years and recently struggling to walk, Brevard Zoo said in a statement Friday.

SANFORD, Fla. — Have you ever wanted to work for a zoo? The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, May 18. The fair will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside of the Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center, located at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. READ: Brevard Zoo hatches critically endangered baby chicks to help boost wild populationFor questions or to schedule an interview time, email HR@centralfloridazoo.org. READ: Free Florida reading program celebrates 100K enrolled studentsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Brevard Zoo chicks The zoo announced this week that it has hatched its first Florida grasshopper sparrow chicks. (Brevard Zoo)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is working to help boost the population of a critically endangered bird species. The zoo announced this week that it has hatched its first Florida grasshopper sparrow chicks. Once the little ones have matured and been medically cleared, zoo officials said the chicks will be released into the wild to help boost the species’ population. These young birds will eventually be released into the wild to boost the natural population of their critically endangered species.

3 lion brothers can now call Brevard Zoo home VIDEO: Rooooaaarrr! 3 lion brothers can now call Brevard Zoo home (WFTV)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo has welcomed a new species to its facility – lions. Photos: Lions Arrive at Brevard ZooExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 27 Lions Arrive at Brevard ZooThe 2-year-old brothers were born May 14, 2019 to first-time mom Shani and her mate, Masamba, at Naples Zoo. This was the first time lion cubs had been born at Naples Zoo in over 30 years. Overall lion numbers continue to decline due to illegal hunting, decreases in the populations of lion prey, and habitat loss.

Three lion brothers have joined the Brevard Zoo and if all goes well, they will be making their debut this weekend.

Lions arrive at Brevard Zoo Three young male lions arrived at Brevard Zoo on Wednesday from Naples Zoo. (Brevard Zoo)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard Zoo visitors will soon have a new mane event to add to their itineraries: visiting the zoo’s new pride and joy — a trio of lions. The three 2-year-old lions are brothers, brought to the zoo on Wednesday from Naples Zoo. Photos: Brevard Zoo welcomes trio of lionsExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Lions arrive at Brevard Zoo Three young male lions arrived at Brevard Zoo on Wednesday from Naples Zoo. (Brevard Zoo)The zoo said the lions’ temporary habitat will be in the zoo’s Wild Florida loop while a permanent living space is built in Expedition Africa.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo’s troop of black-handed spider monkeys has grown. On April 15, a baby spider monkey was born to 31-year-old mother, Shelley and father, 25-year-old Shooter. Brevard Zoo staff said the infant is doing well, holding on to its mom and nursing successfully. Zoo staff have said they have observed other members of Shelley’s troop occasionally checking on both Shelley and baby. Guests may be able to spot them in one of the zoo’s connected spider monkey habitats.

Brevard Zoo retirement homes Two ring-tailed lemurs, 28-year-old male Kamots and 15-year-old female Matilda, and living out their elder years on island time. When Brevard Zoo animals reach their “geriatric” years, or about 80% of their expected lifespan, animal care teams said they work to create “retirement homes” geared toward the aging animals’ needs. “Taking care of animals is a lifelong commitment, no matter the species,” zoo officials said in a recent blog post. Due to her advanced age and nocturnal nature, zoo officials said Flounder lives in a behind-the-scenes area of the zoo. Read more here: https://t.co/LitYVDsRqR pic.twitter.com/TzOPoJKSiD — Brevard Zoo (@BrevardZoo) April 21, 2022Josie’s lazy riverJosie, a 28-year-old Baird’s tapir, has lived at the Brevard Zoo since 1994.

The Brevard Zoo has a new, adorable baby spider monkey.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is asking Central Florida to help choose a new name for the road leading into the zoo after enlisting the help of the students from Brevard Public Schools. Students from 24 schools sent in 24 options for the road that leads visitors from Wickham Road into the zoo. The zoo’s education department selected 3 of those and is asking the public to vote for the final pick. “Brevard Zoo has seen such support from the community from its start,” said executive director Keith Winsten. The contest will close at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 18.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Did you know sea turtles can’t hiccup? But when a green sea turtle was rescued from the shores of Brevard County last October, rescuers said its twitch made it flick its head up in a way that looked like a hiccup. Five months after Hiccup’s rescue, the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center returned the turtle to the sea this week. READ: It’s sea turtle nesting season: Here are 9 ways you can help hatchlings surviveHiccup was released near where it was initially found in Cape Canaveral. Photos: Sea turtle sightings along Central Florida shoresExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 SeaWorld sea turtle release After months of rehabilitation, SeaWorld returned 10 rehabbed, critically endangered sea turtles to the ocean in Brevard County on Monday.

MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — After three failed attempts, rescuers were finally able to capture a distressed manatee this week. Biologists with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Brevard Zoo and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region had tried to capture the adult female manatee previously after she was spotted on Merritt Island several weeks ago. Officials were able to identify the manatee as the same one found emaciated and swimming abnormally in southeast Florida last year. Read: Central Florida tourism group adopts manatee, ‘Gator,’ to support Save the Manatee ClubWATCH: Brevard County reports increased number of manatee deathsReport sightings of sick, injured, orphaned or dead manatees to our Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Confirmed cases of the avian flu were reported in birds in Brevard, Volusia and Indian River counties, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tuesday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The bird flu is becoming an issue in the Sunshine State. Last week after several cases of bird flu were reported in Brevard County, the Brevard Zoo announced it was closing its bird experiences to the public as a precaution. Zoo officials said the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reported positive cases of the illness in wild birds in parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Florida. -Prevent contact of domestic or captive birds with wild birds (especially waterfowl). -Hunters and others handling birds should follow the routine precautions listed below when handling wild birds.

Galah chicks The Brevard Zoo hatched its first two galahs last month. (Brevard Zoo)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — After several cases of bird flu were reported in Brevard County, the Brevard Zoo announced it is closing its bird experiences to the public as a precaution. This week, the zoo said state wildlife officials reported that several ducks in Brevard County have tested positive for bird flu. Officials said zoo birds susceptible to bird flu will be moved to indoor habitats, while other species will receive habitat modifications to prevent contact with wild birds. Photos: Brevard Zoo hatches two baby galah chicksExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Galah chicks The Brevard Zoo hatched its first two galahs last month.

The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne says it’s closing its free-flight walk-through aviaries will be closed to the public until further notice.

Brevard Zoo announced Friday afternoon that their nearly 21-year-old jaguar, Mulac, had died after battling chronic kidney disease and arthritis, zoo officials said.

MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is bringing back its Rhino Encounter experience, more than three years after a toddler was injured. WATCH: Brevard Zoo: Rhinos will not be ‘punished’ after 2-year-old girl stumbles into exhibitVisitors will have to be at least seven years old to participate. Brevard Zoo reopens Rhino Encounter 3 years after 2-year-old girl stumbled into exhibitAfter the accident, the girl was taken to a hospital for treatment. WATCH: Brevard Zoo to build new world-class aquariumThe zoo said the girl was retrieved in a matter of seconds. More information about the Brevard Zoo Rhino Encounter can be found here.

The Brevard Zoo reopens its Rhino Exhibit after a 2-year-old was injured at the encounter.

Eastern bongo calf Do you think Brevard Zoo’s Eastern bongo calf looks like a Ginger, Sage or Nutmeg? (Brevard Zoo)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo is asking for the community’s help naming its Eastern bongo calf. Brevard Zoo’s animal care team came up with three herb- and spice-themed names for voters to choose from, inspired by the calf’s mother, Clover. Each vote costs $5 and all proceeds will be used to cover the cost of animal care at Brevard Zoo. Photos: Meet the Brevard Zoo’s Eastern bongo calfExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Eastern bongo calf Do you think Brevard Zoo’s Eastern bongo calf looks like a Ginger, Sage or Nutmeg?

It’s a unique way to experience sea life without having to go to the beach.

The Brevard Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its giraffes.

The Brevard Zoo is expanding its oyster shell program to begin accepting shells from Central Florida restaurants that go toward its efforts helping the Indian River Lagoon, according to zoo officials.

More than a month after the death of the Brevard Zoo's two North American river otters, zoo officials have determined the cause of death.

With cruising slowly restarting at Port Canaveral, leaders at the Central Florida port are looking ahead at expanding their tourism offerings. After three years of...

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo has plans to build a world-class aquarium and conservation campus that will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Port Canaveral every year. WATCH: Port Canaveral celebrates rising economic tide in the cruise ship industryThe Brevard Zoo is now planning a three-year fundraising campaign for the new $85 million aquarium. Photos: Brevard Zoo to develop fundraising campaign to build new, world-class aquariumExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Brevard Zoo to develop fundraising campaign to build new, world-class aquarium $31 million is already committed to the project that is expected to generate 1,000 jobs and attract half-a-million visitors to the area every year. “Like Brevard Zoo, it’s actually going to be a covered walkway that’s a loop and then indoor pavilions that are climate controlled,” said Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten. John Murray, CEO for the Canaveral Port Authority.

After years of planning, the Brevard Zoo received approval Wednesday to build an aquarium at Port Canaveral.

The Brevard Zoo announced two North American river otters died Sunday.

Turtle release A juvenile green sea turtle named Pearl was released back into the Atlantic on Wednesday after a four-month rehabilitation stay at the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center. (Brevard Zoo)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A juvenile green sea turtle named Pearl was released back into the Atlantic on Wednesday after a four-month rehabilitation stay at the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center. Zoo officials said Sea Turtle Preservation Society members found Pearl on March 13 at Blockhouse Beach. READ: It’s sea turtle nesting season: Here are 9 ways you can help hatchlings surviveThey said she was emaciated, covered in barnacles and had an inflamed shell. SEE: Loggerhead, green sea turtle returned to the ocean in Brevard CountyIndividuals who find distressed sea turtles in Brevard County should contact the Sea Turtle Preservation Society at 321-206-0646 or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC.

Kids will be able to get into the Brevard Zoo for free in August and September with a paid entrance by a Florida resident.

A baby sloth born less than a month ago is receiving specialized care at Brevard Zoo after its mother rejected it.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Two sea turtles returned to the Atlantic Ocean on Monday with some help from Brevard County Ocean Rescue and the Brevard Zoo. The organizations released a green sea turtle named Schnitzel and a loggerhead named Sunflower, weighing in at 130 pounds, back to the ocean. READ: It’s sea turtle nesting season: Here are 9 ways you can help hatchlings surviveSea turtle nesting season started back in March and runs through October. READ: When turtles fly: Rehabbed sea turtles flown to Kennedy Space Center to launch new lives in the AtlanticExpand Autoplay 1 of 4 Move Left Move Right Move Left Move Right Sea turtle release The organizations released a green sea turtle named Schnitzel and a Loggerhead named Sunflower, weighing in at 130 pounds, back to the ocean. (Brevard County Fire Rescue)READ: Worth shell-ebrating: Brevard Zoo releases largest-ever sea turtle patient

Officials say a baby klipspringer antelope is bonding with its mother before making a public debut at a Florida zoo.

For those of you who love sloths, this news will make your day.

Caretakers at the Brevard Zoo are determined to get to the bottom of the health issues for a Florida black bear cub discovered in the Ocala National Forest a little more than a year ago using the latest technology to make sure he has the best life possible.

Meet the latest two additions to the Brevard Zoo.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Due to the rough seas created by Tropical Storm Eta along Florida’s coast, newly hatched baby sea turtles are being washed up along the shore in Brevard County, according to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. “STPS is seeing an influx of post-hatchling, or washback, sea turtles on our beaches. Sea turtles are protected by law, and it is illegal to touch one of any size. STPS discourages the public from going out to look for these post-hatchling sea turtles. The nonprofit said storms, waves and wind can disrupt the Sargasso Sea, where new hatchlings swim to every summer and live in the floating seaweed beds, causing the baby sea turtles to wash ashore with the seaweed.

Nestled inside a blue-and-black animal crate, a baby spider monkey rescued from a suspected smuggler has flown from Dallas to Melbourne to — hopefully — start a new chapter with a foster family at Brevard Zoo. Florida Tech pilots Shayne Inniss and Zachary St. Amand made refueling stops in Baton Rouge and Panama City en route to Orlando Melbourne International Airport. The spider monkey — whose favorite food is grapes — was promptly whisked into a Toyota Sienna van for transport to Brevard Zoo in Viera. Brevard Zoo’s new spider monkey complex was constructed as part of the $4.4 million Rainforest Revealed expansion project. “It’s important for us to spread the word about how impactful the illegal animal trade is on endangered species, like spider monkeys,” Proctor said.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – A tiny spider monkey that was confiscated by customs agents at the Mexico-Texas border in June will soon be housed at the Brevard Zoo. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said a 23-year-old Texas man tried to smuggle the monkey into the United States by hiding the animal in the center console of his 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck. “Finding this monkey is certainly unusual but not a first for our officers at Hidalgo,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. This spider monkey will be coming to the Brevard Zoo on Friday, and officials are hopeful the little guy will be able to fit in with the monkey troop at the zoo since he cannot go back into the wild. The monkey is currently in quarantine at the Dallas Zoo.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Brevard Zoo isnt letting go of summer yet. Its offering free admission for children throughout the month of September. This offer is for children ages 11 or younger when accompanied by a paying adult. [RELATED: Brevard Zoo to reopen with new guidelines amid coronavirus concerns]Families looking to take advantage of the offer will need to reserve time-entry tickets in advance. The zoo reopened in May with several changes to ensure the safety of animals, guests and staff.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - The Satellite Beach City Council has approved a resolution backing the Brevard Zoo aquarium project to be built in Port Canaveral. Council members said each government agency is voting on a similar resolution as a show of support for the project. City Council documents show the aquarium will be partially funded by tourism development taxes. Projections from the Aquarium Project website predict the aquarium would create at least 900 jobs and would bring in $85.5 million in area sales. The aquarium will serve as an area for the Indian River Lagoon restoration, according to City Council documents.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - A nearly one-year-old Masai giraffe has died at the Brevard Zoo following a parasitic infection, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. This is a significant loss for our zoo and the community at large, Keith Winsten, the Zoos executive director, said in a statement. Gastrointestinal worms are commonly found in giraffe both in human care and the wild as part of their gut fauna, albeit in smaller quantities. The same parasites remain present in the zoos other giraffe at normal levels. The zoo is examining its parasite mitigation protocol to reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future.

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Here's something you don't see every day, a giant anteater getting a checkup at the Brevard Zoo. Boo, a 17-year-old giant anteater, underwent a routine wellness exam at Brevard Zoo Tuesday. In order to protect the zoo staff, Boo's claws were wrapped with medical gauze. According to the zoo, the procedure lasted about 2 hours and medical staff found no concerns with her health. Watch Boo's wellness exam below.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – After a stay at the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center, a juvenile green sea turtle named Kona will be returned to the ocean at Bonsteel Park in Melbourne Beach on Tuesday. Kona will make his way back to the big old blue at 4 p.m. through a partnership with the Barrier Island Center. Kona arrived at the healing center April 7. Kona also had trouble staying underwater and was treated with medication, fluids and nutritious food by zoo staff and volunteers. You can read more about Kona's journey by clicking or tapping here.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Brevard Zoo is ringing in the new year with a new nighttime zip lining experience at Treetop Trek. The "night zipping" experience will be on Treetop Trek's "Zip Only" course, which features nine zip lines over the zoo's wetlands habitat. "Wild animals like owls, bobcats and unusual insects are commonly heard and sometimes seen," the zoo said in a news release. "Guests will also have the chance to experience Treetop Trek’s new continuous belay system, which eliminates the need to clip in and out before and after each zip line." Private zip tours will be available on demand Fridays and Saturdays through March when no public tours are available.