On May 20, 1893, St. Augustine’s first Alligator Farm was opened by Felix Fire and George Reddington. Housed near a tram stop that brought tourists to the beach, it showcased several hundred local alligators. As the farm was next to a tourist trap — the Burning Springs Museum — which spit kerosene flames across open water, the original location burned down (we’re not kidding), and was later rebuilt on the other side of A1A.
125 years later, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park welcomes 200,000 visitors yearly. The notable zoological park is among an elite association of accredited zoos and aquariums that specialize in keeping endangered animals alive and well. It is also the only zoo in the world to showcase all 24 species of crocodilians, along with a variety of other animals. Walking among rainbow-colored toucans, massive turtles, energetic lemurs, and Komodo Dragons makes one realize there is much more to experience here than just afternoon tourism. When it comes to gators and crocs, this is the place to see and hear them in an incomparable way. The zoo’s swamp holds more than 200 local gators and 900 native egrets, herons, wood storks, and roseate spoonbills.
With only 100 Chinese alligators left in the wild, the zoo and its partners seek the best genetic line for the next century through specialized breeding techniques. Analyzing data from shared computer software tied to each animal’s history, they find mates virtually — kind of like a Tinder for alligators — and organize the logistics to bring them together. The program is so successful that the Chinese alligators resulting from this breeding program were released back into the wild after reaching maturity in 2007.
When breeding an endangered species, keeping track of each animal’s health is a task in itself. A partnership with the University of Florida’s vet program provides a regular cadence of care. Annual exams are given to each animal to not only keep them healthy but enable veterinary students to get hands-on experience with exotic animals.
Timed with the 125th Anniversary, the Oasis of the Nile exhibit opens this March, showcasing four crocodiles who recently immigrated from South Africa. They traveled in the belly of a passenger plane and had to be flown to Atlanta during Hurricane Irma (unbeknownst to fellow passengers). The zoo’s popular zip line will deliver guests to the exhibit, on raised public walkways above. A lower walkway will lead to a viewing platform that brings guests “toes to nose” with these spectacular creatures – behind a wall of glass, of course.
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is located at 999 Anastasia Boulevard. Visit them online at www.alligatorfarm.com.
Written by Lauren Eastman. Photography by Brian Miller.
