Jacksonville, Fl — The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is opening the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River and VyStar Skyscape today.

The habitat operates as a federally permitted critical care facility.

REZOOVENATION will revitalize nearly every part of the Zoo, starting with the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River habitat and the immersive VyStar SkyScape entrance.

Dozens of people lined up outside the zoo as early at 4:00 am to be part of a behind the scenes experience.

JMN is live at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens with Dr. Jeff Ettling, President of the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens. While crowds celebrate the opening of the new VyStar Skyscape Entrance and J. Wayne & Delores Weaver Manatee River, he emphasizes that the mission is conservation.

Wildlife Wanderer Curtis Dvorak explains the new features of the 330,000 gallon manatee river and habitat.

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JMN is live at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens with Kena Herrera, a 23-yo environmental science student at UNF. She was at the Zoo before 4am today, and was STILL the 2nd person in line! She recognized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime ecology experience to be part of the Manatee River rehabilitation & habitat debut.

JMN is live at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens, with Carolyn LaRose, Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens Board Member. She shares the Board’s (and the general public’s) excitement about today’s debut of the Manatee River rehabilitation and habitat exhibit, as hundreds have shown up hours before the Zoo even opens.

Action News Jax’s State & Local Government Reporter Jake Stofan updates the latest from the current Florida Legislative Session, with attention focusing on the Rodman Reservoir and Kirkpatrick Dam on the Ocklawaha River. There is also some concern over SJC (sub)urban development. After the current session concludes, there will be a Special Legislative Session coming up specifically to address property tax reform.

JMN is live at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens with Mayor Donna Deegan, as she celebrates the new Manatee River exhibit, and the research and conversation resources that make this one of the best Zoos in the nation — that’s not just hyperbole, it’s recognized by USA Today! Hundreds of families have turned out for this morning’s premiere opening, highlighting Jacksonville’s commitment to innovation.

JMN is live at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens with Derek Mock from the Education Department of the Jax Zoo. He helps guests learn about rescue and rehabilitation mission of the Manatee River facility, in cooperation with MRRP (Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership) and FWC. The goal is to rescue, rehab, and release manatees back into the wild — but to allow guests to learn about and appreciate these gentle giants in the process.

As the Israel/US vs Iran conflict continues, gas prices have creeped up this week following the operations — and are likely to get higher, and stay there, for the duration. Jessica Rosenthal reports:

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