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Visitors
flock to expanded zoo
Expedition Africa introduces rhinos, giraffes
Having completed its long-awaited Expedition Africa last year, the
ambitious Brevard Zoo will celebrate its 10th birthday in March.
Then, on the first full weekend of each month, beginning in April and
running through December, the zoo will provide extra programs to support
its conservation mission through education and participation.
Located off Wickham Road in Viera just east of Interstate 95, the zoo
drew 300,000 visitors last year.
The new 10-acre Expedition Africa features white rhinos Howard and Max,
who graze in tall grass. An elevated platform allows guests to view the
entire habitat and feed the giraffes.
Other highlights are a 1-year-old jaguar named Xinca, quartered in the
Latin
America exhibit. Xinca resides with many species of monkeys, capybaras,
tapirs and a giant anteater. Also striking are the llamas and rheas, and
macaws mimic children’s whistles.
Two-hundred-fifty-pound crocodiles languish at the entrance to the
Native Florida exhibit, and visitors can feed whitetailed deer Annie and
Flame. Guests can check out the otters frolicking in their pool and
public feedings of the alligators, including 13-foot monster Humphrey.
The exhibit also features red wolves, a fox, a bald eagle, bobcats and a
red-tailed hawk.
Kayaking is available through a restored wetland, and four-hour
eco-tours of the nearby Indian River Lagoon can be arranged.
The Australia Loop is highlighted by its free-flight aviary, home to
eclectus parrots, kookaburras and cockatiels. Guests are invited to feed
the birds. The exhibit also has Indonesian fruit bats, muntjacs (tiny
deer from China), cassowaries, dingoes, wallabies, kangaroos,
snake-necked turtles and emus.
The Paws On petting zoo provides up-close encounters with deer, goats, a
miniature horse and chickens. Also available is the Cape to Cairo
Express, a wheelchair-accessible train that chugs across wildlife
preserves. Riders will see impala, gazelle, duiker, and horned oryx. The
train stops at Lemur Island, where creatures await treats from the
conductor.
The zoo has 11,200 household memberships. Family or grandparent
memberships are $55 each, with single-parent memberships going for $45.
Students and seniors can purchase annual memberships for $40. Family
memberships give parents and all kids younger than 18 living at home
free admission for one year. The grandparent membership allows
grandparents and up to six grandchildren to visit the zoo for a year.
Membership at the zoo allows free admission to more than 125 zoos across
the country, including the Jacksonville Zoo, Sanford’s Central Florida
Zoo, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Miami Metro Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher
Park and Tampa’s Florida Aquarium.
Admission to the Brevard Zoo for non-members is $9, adults; $8, seniors
ages 60 and older; and $6, children 2 to 12. Group rates are available
for 15 or more, and the pavilion park can be rented for company
parties.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call 254-WILD, or
visit
www.brevardzoo.org
Click
Here for links to all our major
towns and city's websites
Brevard facts- Communities
Click any Community
for local information
South Brevard
Comprised of the diverse mainland communities of Viera, Suntree, Palm
Shores, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Malabar, Grant, Valkaria,
Micco, and Barefoot Bay; and the beachside communities of Patrick Air
Force Base, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, and
Melbourne Beach, South Brevard contains some of the best entertainment
the Space Coast has to offer.
 From
Historic Downtown Melbourne to the new developments springing up in the
growing Suntree/Viera area, residents make the most of the climate,
enjoying a wide variety of outdoor activities from hunting and fishing
to golf, tennis and water sports.
Melbourne is the
home of many cultural and entertainment facilities, such as the
2,000-seat King Center for the Performing Arts which offers a full
calendar of singing, dancing, music, comedy and acting performances,
plus regular Children's Educational Theater Programs. Henegar Center for
the Arts, the oldest public building in the county, is also a magnet for
civic and cultural activities. Numerous galleries and museums display
their exhibits whilst visitors can browse the many local arts and crafts
shows.
 Palm
Bay, one of Brevard County's largest incorporated cities, stretches from
the Indian River to west of Interstate 95. Retail centers, shops,
restaurants, and commercial parks make up the foundation for this
massive municipality. One of the largest employers in Palm Bay is the
Harris Corporation. But the city isn't all business. With its access to
the Indian River, Palm Bay has plenty of boat ramps and prime fishing
spots. There are also numerous parks equipped for all kinds of outdoor
activities. Palm Bay also is home to the Turkey Creek Wildlife
Sanctuary.
South of Palm Bay lie
the communities of Malabar, Valkaria, Micco, Barefoot Bay and Grant.
These small but thriving communities reap the rewards of being located
close to a large city, whilst retaining the feel of the country and
their own unique personalities.
Founded on fishing,
Grant is the site for The Grant Seafood Festival, an annual event in
February which is Florida's oldest and longest continuous seafood
festivals.
 With
parks galore, miles of sandy beaches, superb boating and fishing
opportunities, and numerous golf courses, South Brevard makes enjoying
the outdoors easy.
Whether it's watching some of the more than 400 animals which reside at
Brevard Zoo, taking in a Montreal Expos spring training game, or
participating in the many annual events and festivals these communities
have to offer, this area has something to please everyone.
Central Brevard
Beauty
and the beach -- that's Central Brevard in a nutshell. This area is
comprised of the communities of Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt
Island, Cocoa, Port St. John and Rockledge.
Cocoa Beach, one of the
world's most famous beaches because of Ron Jon's Surf Shop, is quickly
becoming a hot spot for all beachgoers; locals and visitors alike. Its
white, sandy shores along with a picturesque view of the Atlantic, make
Cocoa Beach a sight in itself. The beach also is the stage for several
annual surfing contests.
Just north of Cocoa
Beach is Cape Canaveral, home of Port Canaveral, which is the first
quadramodal port in
 the
world, interchanging cargo among sea, land, air, and space. Port
Canaveral is the busiest cruise port in the western hemisphere and
homeport for several cruise ships from cruise lines such as Disney
Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Each year the Port hosts events of all
kinds like the annual SeaFest and Chowder Cookoff, one of the most
popular events in Central Florida. Port Canaveral also is the site of
several major deep-sea fishing tournaments throughout the year,
including the annual Florida Sport Fishing Associations' Offshore
Tournament, the largest single-day fishing tournament in the world.
 But
if the beach isn't your thing, don't fret. Central Brevard has plenty of
sights and scenes for land lovers as well. Historic Downtown Cocoa
Village is a collection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants where
there's something for everyone. Cocoa Village also is the backdrop for
numerous Arts & Crafts shows, events, and street parties each year.
Neighboring
Merritt Island and Rockledge also are great spots for shopping and
sight-seeing. Kennedy Space Center is located at the north end of
Merritt Island as well as the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, a
sanctuary for countless species of animals. Rockledge is a city steeped
in history and beauty. From its existing plantation-style homes to its
scenic drive along the Indian River, Rockledge is a show-piece of
Brevard's beauty and style.
Central Brevard is a
both a doorway to the Atlantic and the area's rich history. Its
spectacular sunrise views across the ocean and historic sights make this
area a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike.
Click Here for
links to all our major towns and city's websites
Brevard facts-
Education
Education on the Space
Coast
When it comes to educating tomorrow's leaders, Brevard County is the
launching pad for new, innovative, inspiring, and ground-breaking
instructional techniques. Whether it's Brevard County's acclaimed
circuit of public schools, innovative charter schools, or privately
operated independent schools, the Space Coast provides every opportunity
for today's students.
Click here for a map displaying Brevard's
public schools.
Click Here
to research
the performance and rankings of area schools...
In addition to traditional public schools, Brevard County also has a
selection of charter schools, each offering a unique and specialized
curriculum geared toward a specific area of study.
Click here to find out more about Charter
Schools
For parents wanting more control of their child's education, there's
always private instruction. The Space Coast has a diverse selection of
private schools ranging in grades from pre-Kindergarten to the secondary
level and curricula based on all foundations - from religious to
military.
Learning, however, isn't just for kids. Brevard County also has numerous
opportunities for those interested in continuing their education. No
matter what field of study, the Space Coast has a college or university
geared toward that curriculum or career. Night and weekend courses also
are available.
Click here for a
list of Brevard County's colleges and universities.
No matter what your education need, whether it's getting kids off to
school in the morning or getting the training and expertise needed for a
new job or promotion, the Space Coast has everything to make it happen. |
