History
2026
With the acceptance of a large number of donated sloths in need, the Zoo makes international news in a hurry. Through the perseverance of our staff and global collaboration of conservation experts, we are actively working to rehab and nurse these sloths back to health.
This story is ongoing. Follow the latest updates here.
2025
The Zoo becomes the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA-accredited) facility in Florida to have a birth of endangered fosa kits in over 15 years. The cubs are hand-reared by keeper staff, and the sisters Mahery and Anasi join the Species Survival Program for fosa.
2020
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens was temporarily closed for 60 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only essential animal care staff reporting onsite. This led to the development of a digital library of video resources, known now as the “Zoo to You” series. The Zoo was happy to reopen with suggested precautions in place for visitors.
2019
2017
The Zoo unveiled an interactive educational habitat, featuring two young Florida black bears.
2017
Giraffes became part of the animal collection at the Zoo for the first time. Giraffe feedings were offered and volunteer giraffe ambassadors began assisting guests in learning more about these amazing animals.
2013
Greater one-horned Indian rhinos became part of the Zoo’s animal collection.
2012
A new home was built for our North American river otter pair, featuring a guest viewing panel.
2012
The Zoo received a young mated pair of clouded leopards to continue our breeding success as part of AZA’s Species Survival Plan program.
2011
Two hundred volunteers showed up at the Zoo to help build a KaBOOM children’s playground in one day.
2007
The Zoo officially announced its botanical garden status and became the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The same year, the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground opened to the delight of visitors of all ages.
2005
The Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center and ZooLab opened. The buildings featured classroom and hands-on instructional space, as well as a multi-purpose banquet room available for private meeting and event rentals.
2003
The Little Florida Coastline Train came to the Zoo. The quarter scale G-16 miniature train was built in 1951 and modeled after the Florida East Coast “Champion” streamliner.
1993
A network of elevated boardwalks was constructed, providing visitors enhanced viewing of animals and better access for those in strollers and wheelchairs.
1986
The Central Florida Zoo became an accredited member of the American Zoo & Aquariums Association, today known as the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).
1984
The Reptile House was reconstructed and opened with 45 venomous and non-venomous snakes, lizards, and amphibians.
1984
July 4, 1975
With the support from a group of dedicated citizens, and the donation of a 106-acre piece of land from Seminole County, the Central Florida Zoological Park opened at its current location along Lake Monroe, with Jack Hanna as director.
1940s
The Sanford Zoo relocated to new facilities on the shores of Lake Monroe in downtown Sanford. Visitors enjoyed watching playful spider monkeys on “Monkey Island” and lion vocalizations could be heard throughout downtown Sanford. Sanford City Hall presently occupies this corner site.
1920s
The Central Florida Zoo was first established as the Sanford Zoo in 1923 when a rhesus monkey was given to the Elks Club in Sanford by a traveling circus. More animals were added to the collection, held by the Sanford Fire Department, including a female monkey, a bulldog, a skunk, an opossum, a raccoon, and a squirrel.
