Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens plans to open its Manatee Critical Care Center on Saturday during the Jacksonville Manatee Festival. The zoo will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the festival.
The center will rehabilitate and temporarily house injured local manatees for release into the wild.
The zoo said the center will help improve the status of the endangered Florida Manatee.
Jacksonville zoo to open Manatee critical care center during festival https://t.co/IOHpeq23IR pic.twitter.com/ITD108W512
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"Manatee response and rescue is a major component of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ commitment to regional conservation. It is very satisfying to be able to add their recovery and release to our marine mammal work,” said Dan Maloney, deputy director of animal care and conservation.
Photos: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Manatee Critical Care Center set to open
The Manatee Critical Care Center will be viewable to the public from inside the zoo, unless a manatee needs solitude for medical treatment.
For the Jacksonville Manatee Festival, the zoo will host a parade at 9:45 a.m. followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Guests will be able to access the perimeter of the facility from the Zoo’s Wild Florida loop from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The festival will continue until 2 p.m., with face painting, a mock manatee rescue, artistic demonstrations and live music from Sciatica Beach. The event is free with zoo admission.
Visit the official web page for the festival here.
Cox Media Group
