St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Zoological Park
The St.
Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest
continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893.[3] Not only does
it have 23 species of crocodilians, but also a
variety of other reptiles, mammals, and birds, as well as
exhibits, animal performances and educational demonstrations.
History
The park began in 1893
on St. Augustine Beach as a minor attraction at the end of a railway running
through neighboring Anastasia
Island. The
alligators were added at first to get visitors to buy souvenirs and see the
museum there. Soon the reptiles themselves became the main point of interest.
Growing in
popularity, the park moved to its current location in the early 1920s. The park
changed owners in the 1930s, and after a devastating fire, they started
reconstruction and expansion of the facilities. In 1993, for their 100 year
anniversary, the park became the first place in the world to display every
species of crocodilian.
As of 2012,
this is the only place where you can see every species of alligator, crocodile, caiman, and gharial. Over the
years the zoo has expanded to include exotic monkeys and birds as well as other
reptiles. The bird collection alone boasts some species not often seen in other
zoos, including hornbills, cassowary, marabou, Cape Griffon Vultures, and Pesquet's
Parrots. In 2008 the
zoo opened a new Komodo
Dragon facility that
also exhibits lizards and snakes found within the range of the Saltwater crocodile.
Rookery
The back
section of the park contains a large bird rookery, where free-roaming local
birds species such as egrets, herons, wood
storks and roseate
spoonbills nest and rear
their young.
National historic status
On September
10, 1992, the Alligator Farm was designated a U.S. Historic District. As such, it was referred to as the St.
Augustine Alligator Farm Historic District. According to the National Register of Historic Places, it covers
less than 1-acre (4,000 m2), and contains 1 building and 1
structure.


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