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The Brevard Zoo is a nonprofit zoological organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is located on 75-acres (30 ha) of land in Melbourne, Florida.
The zoo is currently home to more than 900 animals that represent over 170 species from five continents (including the state of Florida).
The zoo is also famous for its unique variety of animal feedings, kayak tours, behind-the-scenes experiences, and the TreeTop Trek (an aerial ropes course); with some offerings being offered nowhere else in the country.
Among other special events, the zoo has also featured travelling dinosaur exhibits several times over the years, which includes "Dinosaurs are Back", which ran from November 2017 to April 2018.
Currently, the zoo is divided into five major areas. Expedition Africa, Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond, Wild Florida, Rainforest Revealed, and Paws On; and a smaller one-off walking trail (Treasures of the Caribbean). All of these areas are accessed off of the main loop that encircles a large pond for Chilean flamingos.
Brevard Zoo. Our History. Retrieved April 20, 2020. In 1992, construction of the zoo began, with over 16,000 people coming together to help build the zoo. The Brevard Zoo claims to have had "The World's Largest Volunteer Community Build". Brevard Zoo celebrated its grand opening on March 26, 1994.
A record 328,973 visitors attended in 2007. This included 175,046 paid daily guests. The others included reciprocal members of other zoos, and annual members. The zoo has an annual budget of $5 million most of which is earned and not raised through fundraising or grants. Space Coast Business.com accessed January 19, 2008
In October 2012, one of the southern white rhinos from this zoo was transferred to Alabama's Birmingham Zoo to take part in a breeding program with its two female southern white rhinos. Sun Sentinel
In 2014, the black-throated monitor died. It was donated to the zoo when it was two years old in 2005.
In 2017, the zoo renovated the original Australia-Asia exhibit and reopened the area as "Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond".
Expedition Africa is where the zoo provides giraffe feeding, as well as specialized “daily adventures” such as across a man-made river, and up-close encounters with certain animals like the
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Looping around the back end of Expedition Africa is the zoo’s miniature train ride, Cape to Cairo Express, which takes visitors on a 10-minute excursion to view animals not easily accessible from the main boardwalk; such as bongos, , and Ankole-Watusi cattle.
/ref> the zoo’s bongos have successfully produced offspring to this very day; with a notable bongo birth occurring on November 12, 2024.
On November 16, 2024, the zoo opened up an extension of their existing boardwalk and a permanent (15,150 sq. ft) habitat for their , who were previously housed in the Wild Florida loop.
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/ref> the island became the new home for some of the zoo’s ring-tailed lemurs.
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This loop features a geographical mix of animals from Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas; a slight deviation from the usually-straightforward theme of the other major areas.
Lands of Change is notable for its large free-flight aviary, where visitors can have the option to walk through and feed birds such as the cockatiel and rainbow lorikeet. The aviary is further divided into two separate sides; Lorikeet Landing, and Cockatiel Creek, both of which are home to large breeding flocks of the respective species.
Across from the aviary, is the Kangaroo Walkabout; a walkthrough habitat where guests can get up-close and personal with , red kangaroos, and more. Occurring daily from 10-11 AM, the zoo’s popular kangaroo feedings occur within the walkthrough (until sold out).
Inside the walkabout, several solar panel “trees” are present throughout; these “trees”, which were donated to the zoo by Florida Power and Light, provide shade for the resident animals, as well as providing all of the energy needed to power the nearby komodo dragon house.
Near the end of the loop, rotational habitats for dingos and babirusas, as well as an amphitheater where daily demonstrations take place are also present.
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Wild Florida is essentially the zoo’s “native” animal loop; which subsequently highlights certain animals associated with, and (mostly) local to the State of Florida.
Sharing the following habitats with the neighboring Rainforest Revealed, a large lagoon serves as the first impression for these two major loops. Visitors cross over a narrow boardwalk over this lagoon to enter and exit this loop, all while passing by American alligators and American crocodiles on either side.
In 2021, the zoo’s North American river otters fell ill and succumbed to their illnesses unexpectedly. As of 2025, their former habitat has been converted into a home for an alligator snapping turtle.
After arriving from their original home at the Naples Zoo (where they were born), Chobe, Karoo, and Ruaha, the zoo’s lion brothers would move into a specially-built (albeit, temporary) habitat while the zoo could afford the funds to build them a permanent space in Expedition Africa. In 2024, the zoo was able to succeed on this promise, and subsequently moved the brothers to their new home in time for its opening.
For a short time after the lions departed; “Pepper” the zoo’s last
/ref> which marked the end of the zoo’s relationship with captive cheetahs.
In addition to the native wildlife, Wild Florida is also home to the “Adventure Outpost”, where visitors can choose to either take an aerial adventure through the Treetop Trek, or to chart a kayaking course through a zoo-protected wetland.
One of the zoo’s leading conservation efforts involves the release and rehabilitation of rescued American black bears. However, not every bear is able to be successfully released, which is how the zoo’s resident bears came to live here. Currently, the zoo maintains Cheyenne, Brody, and Betty, who are all non-releasable bears, with each one serving as an ambassador for their wild counterparts.
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Across the Rainforest Revealed, several habitats throughout this loop (especially for the primates) are rotational, which provides a dynamic, interconnected environment for both the animals and visitors alike.
The Brevard Zoo has had a long-standing relationship with , which includes captive breeding (they’re an endangered species); and taking in orphaned infants confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade.
Currently, the Brevard Zoo is home to three jaguars. A male named Khan (who came from the
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On November 16, 2019, the loop received a significant facelift and expansion to the existing "La Selva" footprint. Among the new additions were the arrival of two
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Alongside the smaller roster of animals, this exhibit also features a pirate-themed scavenger hunt, which provides the area with a fun and consistent theme.
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Quite notably, Paws On is home to an outdoor aquarium themed around the nearby Indian River Lagoon, which displays local marine life such as tarpon, stingrays, and . Near this aquarium, a viewing tank for horseshoe crabs is also present.
Naturally, Paws On also features a variety of non-animal attractions dedicated for children of all ages; which includes a playground, a shallow swimming area that serves as a splash pad, and more.
Over the years, the zoo’s barnyard (petting zoo) has been home to a delightful mix of domesticated animals, like and , along with more unconventional animals not often seen in other petting areas, like tortoises and ambassador animals (sloths, skunks, etc.)
Outside of Paws On’s entrance, there are two dining areas provided for hungry visitors. The first of which is "Slice", a pizza restaurant; while the other is "Cones", which offers soft-serve ice cream, Dole whips, and alcoholic beverages for adults.https://brevardzoo.org/tips-for-a-great-visit/food-and-drink/
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