by Nate Beck -
At only half the size of the famous San Diego Zoo, the Brevard Zoo epitomizes that “great things come in small packages.” Spanning only 50 acres, Brevard Zoo is home to more the 900 animals from over 195 species. The zoo focuses on species from South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and our own backyard in Florida.
16,000 volunteers came together in 1994 to build the Brevard Zoo, making it the world’s largest community-built zoo. Their goal: to “serve as a conservation hub where people could gather to learn about animals and nature. A place to escape from the manmade world and reconnect with the diversity of the life with which we share this planet.”
They hit the mark. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last year the Brevard Zoo was named the 5th Best Zoo in North America by Readers of USA Today and it was the highest-ranked zoo in the Southeastern U.S.
Paved walking loops that branch off the main circle loop make for an easy flow for visitors through the zoo’s exhibits.
Photo by Nate Beck
Rainforest Revealed Loop
The first loop to your right upon entering Brevard Zoo is Rainforest Revealed. This loop houses the zoo’s tropical species including jaguars, tamarins, iguanas, tapirs, capybara, and the two toed sloth. For an authentic rainforest feel, the zoo has planted heavy foliage and tropical plants to shade the area creating a rainforest canopy. Wind your way past the jaguars, monkeys, sloth and tapirs before joining back up with the main loop. Be sure to look up. Enclosed pathways overhead link the various primate enclosures allowing visitors to be surrounded by the animals at all times.
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Photo by Nate BeckWild Florida Loop
After reconnecting with the main loop, the next loop to your right is Wild Florida. Wild Florida focuses on the wildlife that has called Florida home for centuries. Some of the animals exhibited are black bear, river otters, crocodiles, bobcats, the nearly extinct red wolf, and, of course, the Florida alligator. Viewing these magnificent creatures is much more satisfying at the zoo, then finding one in your pool!
To further immerse yourself in Florida, Brevard Zoo offers an area to kayak back into the natural 25 acre wetlands located behind this loop.
Photo by Nate BeckLands of Change: Australia and Oceania Loop
One of the highlights of the zoo lies inside Lands of Change. As the name implies, this area of the zoo features animals from down under such as red kangaroo, emu, wallaby, as well as galahs, lorikeets, cockatiels, kookaburras, and shelducks.
Unlike most zoos, Lands of Change lacks enclosures. Visitors are invited to walk amongst free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies and emus. While petting or touching is not allowed, it’s quite special seeing these beautiful animals bound around you with no ropes, fences, or barriers. It brought back memories of my time in Australia; the only other place I’ve walked among kangaroos. While in Australia, I was actually kicked by a Roo as he balanced on his strong tail and gut punched me with his powerful back legs. But that’s a story for another time! And also the reason you can’t touch them here at the Brevard Zoo.
Across from the kangaroo walkabout, is the free-flight aviary. Once again, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a natural world without barriers. Lastly, before moving on, take a moment to see one of Australia’s more dangerous animals, the Komodo dragon. Brevard Zoo is home to two large Komodo dragons and since Komodo dragons are responsible for human fatalities with venom that can kill an adult within hours after a bite, this exhibit is housed behind inches of plexiglass.
Photo by Nate BeckExpedition Africa
The last and largest loop is Expedition Africa. What Brevard Zoo has created here is quite a sight to see. Upon entering Expedition Africa, you walk into a great expanse that mimics the African safari. Instead of individual exhibits, the giraffe and zebra, coexist within the same large enclosure that allows both of them to run freely. The rhino shares an enclosure with the now extinct scimitar oryx.
Brevard Zoo is home to these now wild-extinct species and have even worked towards saving the species with a new oryx calf being born at the zoo on February 3rd, 2017. The Brevard Zoo does not stop there.
With their goal of conservation through education, they have built a platform in the middle of the giraffe and zebra enclosure for guests to walk out onto and experience these animals face to face, bringing Africa to Florida. Brevard zookeepers offer a “feed a giraffe” experience where they speak with guests about the beautiful species during the encounter and educate them on one of the safari’s most stunning species.
Continuing with their unique way to experience the animals, Brevard Zoo visitors can kayak through a portion of the exhibits with no barriers.
Other animals in Expedition Africa include ostriches, meerkat, camels, and cheetahs.
Photo by Nate BeckPaws On
Helping youth cultivate an interest and affinity for animals of all types is instrumental in conservation and Brevard Zoo has dedicated an area for just that. For the little explorers, Brevard Zoo offers a petting zoo with alpacas, pygmy goats, tortoise, and armadillos.
Also located in Paws On is an aquatic petting zoo with horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs and Florida Crown Conchs. This allows children to have a beautiful experience with animals with something a little less intimidating than a 20 foot-tall giraffe!
With the zoo’s unique layout, diversity of animals, and brilliant encounters, a family could easily spend 3-4 hours at the Brevard Zoo. Consider visiting earlier in the day as the animals tend to be more active in the morning hours, opting for a snooze in the afternoon’s warm Florida sun.
Photo by Nate BeckEnd your trip with a surprisingly delicious lunch at the Brevard Zoo café.
Nourish 321—located between Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond and Wild Florida— serves an extensive menu of both classic American burgers and healthy wholesome sandwich and salad options to keep you just as well fed as their animals. I opted for the turkey and cranberry relish sandwich, which I highly recommend. Fresh, voluminous and delicious, it rivaled any sandwich I’ve enjoyed in a restaurant.
If you prefer something on-the-go, Slice is a walk up café serving pizza and sandwiches. Slice is in the Paws On area and overlooks the Indian River Play Lagoon.
Brevard Zoo is located at 8225 North Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32940. Open daily from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
See more Brevard Zoo photos here.