Zoo

Butterfly World Corporate Office

Butterfly World was founded in 1988 in Coconut Creek, Florida, by Ron Boender, who turned his hobby into a business. The company operates the largest butterfly compound in the world.

The park sits on 3 acres and houses more than 5,000 butterflies. The park also has an extensive botanical garden, aviaries, and hummingbirds. The Hanging and Emerging Butterfly section has cocoons and butterflies that are emerging from their cocoons. The park has sponsored numerous off-site research programs and is considered vital to the preservation of several endangered species of butterflies.

Butterfly World also has a Tropical Rainforest area, where birds are free, flying inside a giant aviary, along with waterfalls and more than 90 species of butterflies. There is also a small museum with insect and butterfly species mounted for viewing.

Butterfly World

Butterfly World was founded in 1988 in Coconut Creek, Florida, by Ron Boender, who turned his hobby into a business. The company operates the largest butterfly compound in the world.

History

Jungle Island Corporate Office

Jungle Island was founded in Pinecrest, Florida, in 1936 by Franz and Louise Sherr. It was purchased by Bern Levine in 1988. The original name was Parrot Island, but when the business moved to Watson Island in 2003, the name was changed. The company operates an interactive zoo and animal theme park.

The park sees approximately 450,000 visitors each year, including numerous celebrities and politicians, such as former US president Jimmy Carter, Winston Churchill, and Steven Spielberg. The park offers bird and animal shows, while preserving the natural habitat that the island represents. Jungle Island is involved with numerous non-profit organizations, including The Everglades Foundation.

Jungle Island was sold in late 2016 due to mounting debt problems. ESJ Capital Partners purchased the island for an undisclosed sum, including the $45 million in debt that the company currently owes. ESJ executives plan a major overhaul of the park over the next two years, adding children’s rides, a private beach available for rent, and zip lines.

Jungle Island

History

Flamingo Gardens Corporate Office

Flamingo Gardens began as Flamingo Groves, a citrus orchard, in 1927 by Floyd and Jane Wray. The couple purchased 320 acres and believed that the climate was perfect for citrus fruit. The farm began receiving plants from other parts of the world and the Wrays created a garden, which they invited the public to enjoy.

Today, Flamingo Gardens is a non-profit botanical garden, wildlife sanctuary, and aviary. The Wray’s home operates as a museum, unchanged since the late 1930’s. Guided tours are offered daily for a small fee. Flamingos nest among the trees, and Mrs. Wray introduced peacocks in the 1940’s.

Flamingo Gardens is one of the last natural growth jungles in Southern Florida. The park boasts that there are 3,000 tropical trees and subtropical trees, as well as the wildlife sanctuary, which is home to 90 native species.

Flamingo Gardens

History

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Corporate Office

St. Augustine Alligator Farm was founded in 1893 in St. Augustine, Florida. The park was originally a small operation at the end of a railway line, where passengers could buy souveniers and see a small museum. The alligators were an afterthought.

Today, the company operates the oldest attraction in the state of Florida. The park has 24 species of alligators and crocodiles, as well as other reptiles, mammals, birds, and shows. The company recently added a zip line over a small lake. There is a rookery in the back of the 7 acre property where wild birds live and nest.

In 1989, the park received accreditation from The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In September of 1992, the park was added as a U.S. Historic District.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

In 1989, the park received accreditation from The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In September of 1992, the park was added as a U.S. Historic District.

History

Sacramento Zoo Corporate Office

The Sacramento Zoo opened in 1927 with just 40 animals on 4.2 acres. Today, the zoo has 500 animals on 14.3 acres. The zoo was free until 1965, when they began charging a 25 cent admission fee.

The zoo is a non-profit organization which focuses on conservation and animal welfare. The zoo has opened numerous new attractions, including a penguin exhibit in 2007, the Tall Wonders giraffe habitat in 2010, and the Small Wonders of Africa in 2014.

The Sacramento Zoo feels that the focus of zoo’s has changed over the years; from housing animals as exhibits, to an emphasis on conservation, education, and recreation.

Sacramento Zoo

The Sacramento Zoo opened in 1927 with just 40 animals on 4.2 acres. Today, the zoo has 500 animals on 14.3 acres. The zoo was free until 1965, when they began charging a 25 cent admission fee.

The Sacramento Zoo feels that the focus of zoo’s has changed over the years; from housing animals as exhibits, to an emphasis on conservation, education, and recreation.