Fifteen New Alligators Now at Home at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Fifteen New Alligators Now at Home at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Jacksonville, Florida – Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the arrival of 15 new American alligators that were released into its Wild Florida exhibit. On November 26th crowds of Zoo visitors watched in awe as the Herpetology staff carried the alligators into the exhibit, removed the tape from around their large mouths and coaxed them into the water as the animals hissed and snapped. The 15 females, range in size from four-to-seven feet long and weigh between 41 and 86 pounds and came from the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida where they were all hatched. The new alligators replaced the six that were over 50 years-of-age, three of which passed away over the last year, and the rest were shipped to other facilities to make room for the new residents.

Executive Director, Dennis Pate said, "The alligator is one of our most popular animals. They, along with our Zoo’s other native species that live in Wild Florida, help to educate and enhance our visitors’ experience."

The Alligator mississippiensis (scientific name) reach an average length of between 6 and 10 feet, with males rarely reaching 12 to 14 feet, and live approximately 40 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity. They were added to the Endangered Species list in 1967. American alligators have been a part of the animal collection at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens since 1914.

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 plant species. The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Located on Jacksonville’s north side two miles off I-95, the Zoo is open year-round, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.