The general public got to see the official opening of the state-of-the-art Manatee River at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Friday marked the big day for Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The state-of-the-art manatee habitat has officially opened to the public.
The place was buzzing for the opening of the new “rezoovenation” project, the public is getting their first look of the manatees that’s been added here.
People from all over have been pouring in to come visit the Jacksonville Zoo and see the $70 million project that’s finally been completed.
The new manatee habitat holds over 300-thousand gallons of water—designed to rescue, rehabilitate, and release manatees. The habitat can also hold up to 20 manatees at a time; however, only three are in the water right now.
Members of the public and local leaders were in attendance to see the new state-of-the-art manatee river and zoo entrance, such as Jakcosnville Mayor Donna Deegan.
“I just think they’re so adorable, but I was especially attracted to Cullen, he’s the one that constantly has lettuce in his mouth and the fact that this shines a light on the importance of conservation and education—It’s just really important,” Mayor Donna Deegan said.
The Jacksonville zoo opened at nine on Friday morning, the first ten people in line got a free behind-the-scenes look at the manatee facility, and the first 100 guests got free zoo merchandise.