Gulf Breeze Zoo

Story

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50acre zoo located in Gulf Breeze, Florida.HistoryPlagued by financial troubles since Hurricane Ivan struck the area in 2004, the zoo closed on August 17, 2009, awaiting the decisions from the governments of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to provide $125,000 each in funding.On August 20, 2009, zoo officials announced that the closure of the zoo would be permanent.The zoo was purchased by Virginia Safari Park of Natural Bridge, Virginia. in December 2009, and was reopened on February 18, 2010, as Gulf Breeze Zoo.ExhibitsA path through the zoo gardens lets visitors see many animals including primates, big cats, marsupials, Procyonidae, tortoises, and birds. It leads to a large petting area, a giraffe feeding station, and a walk-through parakeet enclosure. Some other exhibits throughout the park include Rocky the red river hog, black bears, a flying fox, otters, an alligator, and camels.Primate exhibits include lemurs, gibbons, siamangs, tamarinds, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, chimps, gorillas, including baby Kigali, a moustached guenon, and marmosets.