Central Florida Zoo marks 50th anniversary with discounted tickets

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“It all started with a monkey in 1923.” That’s the sentence that begins the first chapter of the Central Florida Zoo’s more than 100-year history in Sanford.

As the story goes, a rhesus monkey — the same variety found at Silver Springs — was gifted to the Elks Club in Sanford by a traveling circus. The monkey soon moved to the Sanford Firehouse, where it was joined by more animals before turning into a makeshift weekend attraction.

Before there ever was a Central Florida Zoo, the Sanford Fire Department cared for monkeys and several other animals beginning in the 1920s. (Central Florida Zoo/Courtesy of Wellons Communications)

By the early 1940s, the animals relocated to a zoo that comprised several acres where Sanford City Hall stands today. In the 1960s, when the city decided to stop funding the zoo, a group of concerned citizens banded together to form and fundraise for the Central Florida Zoological Society.

On July 4, 1975, the Central Florida Zoological Park, sitting on 106 acres of land leased from Seminole County, first opened its doors to a crowd of 10,000 people. Though some of the original attractions and animals are no longer at the zoo, the footprint remains largely the same.

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is celebrating its 50th anniversary July 4-6 with discounted tickets — $19.75 for adults and seniors and $16.75 for children.

A displayed historical photo shows part of the 50-year history of the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“There are families that have been coming here for two, three or four generations,” said Richard Glover, the zoo’s CEO. “This has been part of their life for so long that it’s really neat to hear what the zoo means to them.”

Visitors interested in learning more about the zoo’s history can see an exhibition inside the Wayne M. Densch Discovery Center that features historical photos and newspaper clippings. In addition, a screen shows submitted photos and stories from the organization’s 50-year history, which are continuously collected online.

Glover said he’s heard some whacky tales from decades past.

“Apparently at one point we had a monkey who was addicted to Pepsi and cigarettes. We had a parrot who cussed at people,” he said. “We’ve heard some crazy stories about the old days.”

A displayed historical photo shows the original Sanford Zoo in a display commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Jack Hanna, the zookeeper who later became known for his TV appearances, served as the zoo’s first director before moving on to a new role at the Columbus Zoo in 1978.

As a modern-day zoological institution, the nonprofit now cares for 350 animals representing more than 100 species of amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles. Guests can experience up-close encounters with PJ the rhino, feed giraffes, meet petting zoo animals or ride a miniature train.

This past holiday season, the zoo also welcomed 120,000 after-hours guests for the Asian Lantern Festival.

Photos from a 1980 annual report show the early years of the Central Florida Zoo. (Central Florida Zoo/Courtesy of Wellons Communications)

The zoo’s outreach expands beyond its Sanford borders through its work with the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation in Eustis. The program is operated by the zoo and helps breed Eastern indigo snakes to restore their wild population.

While thinking about the zoo’s current reach and future plans, Glover considers the humble beginnings and the grassroots effort that started it all.

“This zoo wouldn’t exist if the community didn’t band together and say, ‘We want this to exist,'” he said. “We had over 18,000 volunteer hours last year. We couldn’t do what we do without that.”

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If you go

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens celebrates its 50th anniversary July 4-6, open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. Discounted tickets are available throughout the weekend. Visitors can submit their historical photos and memories by visiting centralfloridazoo.org/share.

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