The new J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat and VyStar SkyScape Entrance at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens will finally open in March after years of construction.
J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, former owners of NFL football team Jacksonville Jaguars before selling to Shahid Khan, donated $3 million for the Manatee River exhibit, which expands the zoo’s Manatee Critical Care Center.
Visitors are invited to the grand opening less than a month away, although 2026 Toast to Conservation Gala attendees, including wildlife conservationist and Australian zookeeper Robert Irwin, got an exclusive first look last week.
Here’s what we know.
When will the new Jacksonville Zoo manatee habitat open?
The J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat grand opening is slated for 9 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2026.
Where else can you see manatees at the Florida zoo?
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens founded the first-ever Manatee Critical Care Center in Northeast Florida, which provides more immediate care for manatees and treats stressed animals in the area, instead of having to transport them to care centers in Orlando, Tampa, or Miami.
The 2.1 million center, located at the juncture of the Education Campus, Wild Florida, and the back of the African Forest gorilla exhibit, can hold 5-6 manatees at a time and provides temporary housing and care for them until they are healthy enough to be released, according to the zoo.
Guests can get a view of the manatees at limited times.
Robert Irwin, Toast to Conservation Gala got first look at manatee exhibit
The 2026 Toast to Conservation Gala hosted Feb. 10 at Jacksonville Zoo included dinner, a keynote presentation by wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, Robert Irwin, and an exclusive first look at the new VyStar SkyScape and J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat before its grand opening March 6.
Where is Jacksonville Zoo?
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located at 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, Florida.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Zoo’s new manatee habitat and entrance opens next month
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
