More than 150 people gathered at the Jacksonville Zoo for Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s annual “Walk the Talk,” sharing personal stories and raising awareness to reduce stigma around a condition that affects over 500,000 Floridians.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been named the No. 4 Best Zoo in the United States in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the zoo said, marking the second consecutive year it has placed among the nation’s top zoos.

The VyStar Skyscape and Manatee River at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens are now open to the public, part of a $72 million project that combines visitor experiences with space to treat critically injured animals.

Visitors who want an up-close look at the manatees being cared for at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens won’t have to travel far from the zoo’s new entrance to see them.

The Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens debuted its new $72 million VyStar SkyScape entrance on Friday with a ribbon-cutting event featuring top civic leaders, philanthropic partners, and executives from VyStar and the zoo.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens hosted Manatee Appreciation Day, where people could learn all about conservation efforts. and preview the new manatee habitat coming in the future.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced on Wednesday it was named the 4th Best Zoo in the United States as part of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Pet Paradise near the Jacksonville International Airport is helping pet parents take care of their four-legged friends, and my dog Theo got to experience the fun.

Have you ever wanted to go behind the scenes at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens? Well, you’re in luck.

A warthog on the loose at the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden caused the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to answer a call they often do not receive.

A warthog broke loose Friday, causing the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to close its doors early as a safety measure.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens gave more insight into how it dealt with the Shigella outbreak that has claimed the lives of the four primates.

A fourth primate at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has died after suffering from Shigella, a bacterial infection that’s affecting apes at the zoo.

Hip-hop skeletons and friendly ghost guides will be ready to welcome families from Northeast Florida and beyond to the Jacksonville Zoo in October.

As someone who is obsessed with penguins, celebrating World Penguin Day (April 25) was my in for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jacksonville Zoo's Tuxedo Coast exhibit. Still, I almost couldn’t believe it when the zoo officials said yes!

I thought it would be fun to share the list of who’s who in the Jacksonville Zoo's Tuxedo Coast exhibit so the next time your family visits, you can really “meet” the penguins.

Mina, Machli and Beppy have been spending the last four months mostly behind the scenes so they could bond with their mother, Cinta.

The Jacksonville Zoo has a warning: watch out for a scam involving zoo tickets.

A 22-year-old giraffe named Spock was euthanized at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on Monday, according to the zoo’s Facebook page.

Unlock the magic of Colors of the Wild at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens with News4JAX Insider Jacksonville Zoo Ticket Sweepstakes. Enter now for a chance to win a family 4-pack and immerse yourself in a captivating lantern experience. Fill out the form below and be part of the enchantment

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' Colors of the Wild holiday ZOOLights experience launched Thursday night with a special encounter between the zoo's penguins and Jolly Old St. Nick.

The latest addition to join the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has officially received a name.

Even though the last Jacksonville Jaguars “Huddle Up” to get community input was held at the Jacksonville Zoo, no one was monkeying around with questions.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ jaguar population grew in April of this year, and that new, male jaguar cub is in need of a name.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens revealed some pretty pawsome cuteness Thursday.

New details on what led up to a zoo keeper being mauled by a bear and body camera video of first responders helping the keeper that had been attacked.

The 35-year-old zookeeper who was “viciously” attacked Wednesday by a 5-year-old North American black bear at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens suffered many lacerations on her head, back and thighs, according to a police report obtained Thursday by News4JAX.

A 5-year-old North American black bear that escaped an exhibit behind the scenes at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Wednesday evening and “engaged” with a zookeeper was fatally shot by the zoo’s lethal weapons team, officials said.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced Thursday that its oldest silverback, named Lash, died at age 45.

The Jacksonville Zoological Gardens is one of the River City’s best attractions.

The Jacksonville Zoological Gardens is one of the River City’s best attractions.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday released body camera footage that recorded the events following a pursuit that began in Northwest Jacksonville and ended near the Jacksonville Zoo, where a police K-9 was shot and wounded.

News4JAX on Tuesday obtained the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s investigative report into a police pursuit that began in Northwest Jacksonville and ended near the Jacksonville Zoo, where a police K-9 was shot and wounded. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office confirmed two of three men in the car were killed when shots were fired from inside the car and police returned fire.

The USO and Rotary Club of Jacksonville hosted a cultural exchange day for local military families and Ukrainian refugee families at the Jacksonville Zoo Tuesday.

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens had a hamerkop chick hatch at the zoo!

Authorities say a sheriff’s deputy shot a Malayan tiger that grabbed the arm of a man who was either feeding or petting the animal near its enclosure at a Florida zoo.

Military or Veteran ID is required and will be verified upon entrance.

The Jacksonville Zoo is no stranger to winning a Jax Best Award. Last month they were crowned Jax Best Animal Encounter and now the have been awarded Jax Best Kid Attraction. The Zoo has a lot going on with the REZOOVENATION and celebrating Halloween season with Spooktacular

There’s much to see and much to do at the Jacksonville Zoo, which is probably why it’s found its way onto JaxBest on more than one occasion.

It's is the largest financial campaign in the zoo's history.

The River City is losing a local gem in our animal refuge community.

Some animals at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be getting their COVID-19 vaccinations soon.

Just in time for World Penguin Day this weekend, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the hatching of a Magellanic penguin chick to parents Oreo and Kowalski.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three giant otter pups made their much-anticipated public debut at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The first few months after birth are a critical time for vulnerable otter pups, so staff have been monitoring the family behind the scenes. Buddy is blind and the most genetically-valuable animal of the Giant Otter Species Survival Plan in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. McTurk decided to send Buddy to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where he joined the SSP to be matched up with a potential mate. Tickets at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens must be purchased online, in advance at JacksonvilleZoo.org.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Because of the cold temperatures during winter, some manatees have become cold-stressed. It’s resulted in a record number of mammals in rehab at the Jacksonville Zoo. “It’s the first time … we’re rehabbing five animals,” said Craig Miller, with the Jacksonville Zoo. “They can be, you know, even longer -- four to five, six months depending on, even potentially longer, depending on how severe that cold stress is.”As a result of the cold winter, the Jacksonville Zoo isn’t the only spot with a record number of rehab patients. “We’re just trying to make sure we’re available to help out if if needed.”AdThe zoo will release the manatees when they’re healthy enough to survive on their own.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We’re a week into 2021, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released its preliminary report for manatee deaths in the state during 2020. The preliminary report stated that there were 619 manatee deaths around the state. The Jacksonville Zoo is part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which includes zoos, aquariums, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agencies. “Most common cause of admittance to the critical care here has been cold stress in 2020,” said Jafarey. The main cases seen in this area that go to the critical care center are boat strikes and cold stress.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A female manatee named Lusia was released near Halifax Harbor Marina on Thursday after her rehabilitation at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Manatee Critical Care Center. The manatee was rescued on Aug. 22, 2020, with injuries that indicated a boat strike. After some care from the critical care team and some rest, staff was ready to send her home. RELATED | Manatee on the mend at Jacksonville ZooThe manatee’s final weight was 713 pounds upon load-in on Thursday. She also had a couple of fractures of her ribs, and the reason that they picked her up is because she had some air in her thorax that made her buoyant on one side,” Allison Peterson, a veterinarian at the Jacksonville Zoo, said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s been three years since Hurricane Irma caused destruction in our area and the Jacksonville Zoo is still feeling the effects. Its' docks were destroyed in the storm, but its' now submitted plans to rebuild. Did you know Jax Zoo was the only zoo in the country that had an admission gate on the water? The Jacksonville Zoo told News4Jax it’s about a $1 million project and it could take a few more years to rebuild the docks. “That was a heartbreaking storm for us,” said Tony Vecchio, Jacksonville Zoo Executive Director.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Did you know that leaving your outside lights on at night during the fall and spring season can impact a bird’s migration journey? Billions of birds migrate south for the winter and north for the summer ever year, and 70-80% of those birds migrate at night. Migrating at night comes with challenge -- one of the biggest being artificial lights from cities. Northeast Florida is part of the Atlantic Flyway, a predetermined path that birds migrate along the East Coast. “But we understand that there are some safety concerns with turning out your lights at night, people feel a little bit safer with lights on.”Jacksonville isn’t the only place working to help the birds.

The 33rd annual Spooktacular at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, presented by Aquafina, will run between Oct. 23-31 from 5-8 p.m. Additional time slots will be available select nights from 7-10 p.m. The Zoo claims it will be “as wicked as you wish.”For safety purposes, the Zoo will be following its COVID-19 guidelines each night of Spooktacular. Themed Spooktacular treats will be available to satisfy the frightening hunger and thirst of kids and adults alike. DATES: October 23-31 TIMED SESSIONS: 5-8 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. (select nights only)Admission is $12 for members and $15 for non-members (children 2 and under are free). Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is preparing to host its annual Spooktacular event with new guidelines and protocols for the safety of guests, staff, volunteers, and animals.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A female manatee was rescued Aug. 22 in Daytona Beach after an apparent boat strike. The marine mammal was brought to the Manatee Critical Care Center at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to recover from her injuries. The zoo staff is cautiously optimistic that she will recover within a few weeks and theyre continuing a daily treatment plan to help her heal. Our treatment plan includes some pain medication. Its also important to remember that come fall, its likely that youll see a manatee in the water since theyll be on the move for warmer waters.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will be closed Monday through Wednesday due to Hurricane Dorian. Hundreds of animals at the Jacksonville Zoo will be protected inside facilities. They will be kept in or near their night houses for their safety as the storm approaches, zoo officials said. "We are taking every factor into account to ensure the safety of our patrons, employees and their families, and our animals," Vecchio added. He said the zoo has a full supply of food stocked up for both the animals and staff in its storage facilities.

VIDEO: Preparations are underway at the Jacksonville Zoo to protect hundreds of animals that live there ahead of Dorian.

The Jacksonville Zoo stops by with some slithery friends and more information about the Call of the Wild night.