Brevard Zoo sits on 75 acres in Melbourne, Florida, where it has welcomed guests since opening on March 26, 1994. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility is run by the nonprofit East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, which formed in 1986 with the goal of bringing a zoo to Brevard County.
What sets Brevard Zoo apart is how it was built: in 1992, more than 16,000 volunteers pitched in to help construct the park, earning it recognition as one of the largest community-built zoos in the world. Today it houses over 900 animals representing more than 170 species drawn from five continents, spread across themed areas including Expedition Africa and Wild Florida.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Melbourne, Florida
- Opened: March 26, 1994
- Size: 75 acres
- Species: 170+ species, 900+ animals
- Hours: Daily, with last admission about 45 minutes before closing
- Annual visitors: About 526,000 (2022)
- Famous for: World’s largest volunteer community-built zoo
A Zoo Built by the Community
Brevard Zoo’s origin story is unusual among American zoos. After the East Coast Zoological Society of Florida formed in 1986 to bring a zoo to the region, construction kicked off in 1992 with an outpouring of local support: over 16,000 volunteers turned out to help build the facility from the ground up, a scale of grassroots effort that’s still cited as among the largest of its kind. The zoo opened its gates on March 26, 1994, as a direct result of that community push.
Exhibits and Experiences
Across its 75 acres, Brevard Zoo organizes its animal collection into distinct themed zones, including Expedition Africa, Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond, Wild Florida, Rainforest Revealed, and a Caribbean-themed walking trail. Beyond traditional viewing, the zoo emphasizes hands-on and active experiences, offering animal feedings, kayak tours through natural habitat areas, behind-the-scenes encounters, and the TreeTop Trek aerial ropes course for visitors looking for more adventure alongside the wildlife.
Hours and Visiting
Brevard Zoo is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Gates typically open in the morning and the zoo stays open into the late afternoon, with last admission roughly 45 minutes before closing; some attractions, like Lands of Change: Australia and Beyond, open slightly later than the main gate. Because hours can shift seasonally or for special events, it’s worth checking the zoo’s official site shortly before a visit to confirm the current schedule.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Brevard Zoo FAQs
When did Brevard Zoo open?
Brevard Zoo opened to the public on March 26, 1994, in Melbourne, Florida.
How big is Brevard Zoo?
The zoo covers 75 acres and is home to more than 900 animals representing over 170 species.
Why is Brevard Zoo known as a ‘community-built’ zoo?
In 1992, more than 16,000 volunteers helped construct the zoo before it opened, making it one of the largest volunteer-built zoos in the world.
What are Brevard Zoo’s hours?
Brevard Zoo is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with the main gate open into the late afternoon and last admission roughly 45 minutes before closing. Check the zoo’s official website for the exact current schedule before visiting.
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Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.