This month, Florida Wildlife officials released three manatees back into the open waters of the Indian River, near the Port Saint John power plant. “The three manatees being released from the Port St. John boat ramp in Brevard County include an orphaned female calf rescued in Sykes Creek in Merritt Island in May 2013, a cold-stressed male taken from Cut Creek in Jacksonville in December 2014 and a cold-stressed female taken from Banana River in Merritt Island in March 2015.” Over a period of 10 months, the manatees were treated at Seaworld’s facilities in Orlando. Conservation efforts for the struggling ecosystem and wildlife in the Indian River Lagoon are ongoing and is a topic of much debate in Brevard County.
Read more in the story from NBC Miami or in Space Coast Daily’s article. If you are planning to visit the Space Coast and are in need of accommodations, give us a call at (321)-784-5046 or e-mail us at [email protected]!
This summer, the Brevard Zoo is keeping the gates open late for Summer Saturday Nights. Every Saturday night through the end of July, the Zoo will remain open till 9 p.m. including activities such as kayaking, riding the train, and feeding the giraffes; in addition to the regular exhibits, there will also be live music and a special animal encounter. While most exhibits will remain open throughout the evening, some will close earlier: “Most of our Zoo animals are on exhibit until dusk, but some need their beauty sleep and must turn in early for the night including our birds and butterflies in the aviary. Our rhinos will be off exhibit at night but some of our giraffe herd and both zebras will be on exhibit.”
The Zoo boasts a number of exhibits including Expedition Africa, Wild Florida, the Aviary, and an extensive children’s educational play area and petting zoo. The Zoo is also very active in conservation and education, and leads several efforts to protect and restore fragile habitats like florida mangroves, oyster beds, and native wildlife, and is also home to The Sea Turtle Healing Center. If you are interested in learning more, the Zoo offers a number of behind-the-scenes sessions, seminars, and educational camps.
For more information about the Brevard Zoo, its programs, exhibits, and admission, click here.
If you are planning to visit the Space Coast and are in need of accommodations, give us a call at (321)-784-5046 or e-mail us at [email protected]!
