Central Florida Zoo spotlights conservation, education and signature events

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens told viewers on a local lifestyle program that it combines animal exhibits, botanical gardens and education to attract families and promote conservation. "We have over 350 individual animals here at the Central Florida Zoo, from our smallest little tarantula up to our giant giraffe," said Chris Torch, director of animal operations.

Torch said the zoo uses its boardwalk and lush, outdoor exhibits to introduce guests to Florida ecosystems and to encourage conservation actions. "For us, it's all about conservation," he said, adding that encounters and programs aim to inspire visitors "to recycle more or plant a butterfly garden or donate to a conservation fund."

The zoo described its education footprint as substantial: Torch said its programs — including daily classes, year-round camps and special events — reached about 55,000 people last year. The zoo also highlighted marquee events: upcoming community gatherings such as Hippity Hop (an Easter celebration) and Brews at the Zoo, and the Asian Lantern Festival, which the zoo said brought more than 90,000 guests during its multi-month run.

Guests can book animal encounters such as giraffe feedings (Torch said they run daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), scheduled rhinoceros meet-and-greets on select days, and weekend 'Amazing Reptiles' demonstrations led by keepers. Torch noted the facility's reptile collection includes a significant number of species and described it as one of the state's larger venomous-reptile collections.

The zoo encouraged viewers to plan visits and check exhibit schedules and event dates at centralfloridazoo.org. The segment closed by emphasizing family amenities — a train, splash pad and playground — that are designed to make the site a full-day destination for visitors.