{"id":167126,"date":"2026-02-24T17:06:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/167126\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T17:06:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T17:06:07","slug":"jacksonville-zoo-and-botanical-gardens-to-open-new-entrance-with-manatee-river-on-march-6th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/167126\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens to open new entrance with Manatee River on March 6th."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 fOpnhE copyright\">The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Renovations at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens promise a more modern, guest-friendly experience when the park opens its new entrance March 6. The multi-year project includes a large manatee habitat, event spaces beneath a Vystar Skyscape and changes to pathways so visitors can make a continuous loop through exhibits without backtracking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Curtis Dvorak, who appeared during a live segment on-site, described the project as more than \u201cjust a really amazing new front door\u201d for the zoo. He emphasized the facility\u2019s conservation and rehabilitation roles, particularly for manatees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Dvorak said the new Manatee River includes large, front-facing pools where rescued animals can rehab and gain weight before release. He described both public-facing pools and additional behind-the-scenes rehabilitation pools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is also nominated in USA Today\u2019s Best Zoo competition, currently third in standings and that voting continues through March 9. To vote go to <a rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/10best.usatoday.com\/awards\/jacksonville-zoo-and-gardens-jacksonville-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https:\/\/10best.usatoday.com\/awards\/jacksonville-zoo-and-gardens-jacksonville-florida\/\">jaxzoo.org\/vote<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 nALdY copyright\">Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<p>The Lady Crusaders Have Championship Standards \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:08<\/p>\n<p>The Lady Crusaders Have Championship Standards \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\udfc6600-acre wildfire in Georgia 100% contained, but crews monitoring hotspots, dry weather conditions<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:00<\/p>\n<p>600-acre wildfire in Georgia 100% contained, but crews monitoring hotspots, dry weather conditionsPolice now say 5 teens hit by gunfire during \u2018takeover\u2019 event in Jacksonville Beach<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:38<\/p>\n<p>Police now say 5 teens hit by gunfire during \u2018takeover\u2019 event in Jacksonville BeachNeighborhood party honoring life of rapper Lil Poppa ends in gunfire, frenzied escapes<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:06<\/p>\n<p>Neighborhood party honoring life of rapper Lil Poppa ends in gunfire, frenzied escapesHistoric Greenleaf building to reopen with dining, fitness and speakeasy in the heart of downtown<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:09<\/p>\n<p>Historic Greenleaf building to reopen with dining, fitness and speakeasy in the heart of downtownCaught on Camera: 3 adults, 1 juvenile injured by gunfire during \u2018takeover\u2019 in Jacksonville Beach<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:33<\/p>\n<p>Caught on Camera: 3 adults, 1 juvenile injured by gunfire during \u2018takeover\u2019 in Jacksonville BeachJSO investigating deadly shooting in Northwest Jacksonville<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:41<\/p>\n<p>JSO investigating deadly shooting in Northwest Jacksonville5 Simple Upgrades That Instantly Transform Your Kitchen<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:43<\/p>\n<p>5 Simple Upgrades That Instantly Transform Your KitchenCharlton County farmer videos massive blaze impacting farm<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:31<\/p>\n<p>Charlton County farmer videos massive blaze impacting farmLarge plume of smoke rises from uncontained Charlton County widlfire<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:10<\/p>\n<p>Large plume of smoke rises from uncontained Charlton County widlfireFinding furever homes for dogs at Dogtopia Jax Beach Blvd<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:44<\/p>\n<p>Finding furever homes for dogs at Dogtopia Jax Beach BlvdTimeline: How \u2018big favor\u2019 texts sparked a JEA board shakeup and allegations about utility leadership<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:22<\/p>\n<p>Timeline: How \u2018big favor\u2019 texts sparked a JEA board shakeup and allegations about utility leadershipCold cases of 2 Jacksonville men highlighted for Missing Adults Day at city hall<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:10<\/p>\n<p>Cold cases of 2 Jacksonville men highlighted for Missing Adults Day at city hallSheriff says woman who held boys at gunpoint should have handled trespassing differently<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:45<\/p>\n<p>Sheriff says woman who held boys at gunpoint should have handled trespassing differentlyJSO launches new investigation on TikTok account posting women, children without consent<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 1:43<\/p>\n<p>JSO launches new investigation on TikTok account posting women, children without consentMayor Deegan calls councilman&#8217;s claims of &#8216;toxic&#8217; 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A conversation on Black history and culture<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:54<\/p>\n<p>Voices of the 904: Live from LaVilla edition &#8211; A conversation on Black history and cultureJEA board nominee withdraws amid criticism over councilman\u2019s text messages citing \u2018big favor\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kSMyDq jdBbpv\">\u25b6 0:55<\/p>\n<p>JEA board nominee withdraws amid criticism over councilman\u2019s text messages citing \u2018big favor\u2019Previous photoNext photo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":167127,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117,17647,6680],"class_list":["post-167126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news","tag-jacksonville-zoo-and-botanical-gardens","tag-river-city-spotlight"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167126"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167126\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}