St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

06/13/2026

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Lauren, our Collections Manager, recently traveled to Agadir, Morocco, to attend the 28th Working Meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN ) Species Survival Commission (SSC) IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group. There, she presented a soon-to-be-published paper on the use of substrates during the artificial incubation of alligator eggs, speaking to crocodilian experts from around the world. As part of the conference, Lauren also visited Crocoparc, which houses over 300 Nile crocodiles, and traveled to the Sahara Desert to study local reptiles.

📸 Lauren, Collections Manager

06/12/2026

Looking to test your wild side on Crocodile Crossing? We’ve rounded up our top ten things to know before you attack our high-flying adventure courses.

1. Yes, we said adventure courses. Crocodile Crossing is more than a zip line. We’ve come up with two courses, the Sepik River and the Nile River, that each have a whole host of challenging aerial tasks, including zip lines, swinging bridges, ladders, tightropes, rope ladders, and more.

2. The Sepik River course is our shorter course, taking an average of 45 minutes to an hour to complete. It had 9 zip lines and 16 obstacles. It’s named after the Sepik River, which is one of the longest rivers in Papua New Guinea.

3. The Nile River course is our longer, more intense course, taking an average of 1 ½ to 2 hours. It has 16 zip lines and 27 obstacles, soaring over 30 feet in the air. This course is named after the famed Nile River, the longest river in the world.

4. We do not allow any loose items on the courses. They pose a danger to the animals that you’ll be adventuring above! This includes cell phones, cameras, loose articles, hats, headgear, headbands, scarves and chewing gum. We do have free lockers where you can store your things.

5. We take footwear very seriously! You must wear fully enclosed shoes with laces – no sandals, cowboy boots, bungee-tie shoes, stilettos, or Crocs. Believe it or not, shoes pose a HUGE danger to the animals living below the courses.

6. Adventure cameras, like GoPros, are allowed but only when worn with a chest harness.

7. Both of our adventure courses are self-guided. We use a continuous belay system, meaning you cannot unclip from the safety wires on the course. We do have a staff member who supervises each group on the ground.

8. Our courses are strenuous, so please make sure to be well rested, well hydrated, and well fueled. Drink plenty of water and eat a good meal before arriving.

9. You can’t say “I Survived Crocodile Crossing” if you’re not on time! Our courses run on a tight schedule, so please try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. This helps us get each group out on time.

10. Know Before You Go – watch our safety video on the Crocodile Crossing webpage to get a head start. It covers our continuous belay system, the dos and don’ts, and gives a sneak peek at some of our obstacles.

📸 select photos by Pips Ink

06/09/2026

A huge thank you to David Benfield and Jordan Wilkerson with First Coast Living for coming out to see us!

Website: www.alligatorfarm.com

06/09/2026

Enzo, our hooded vulture, and Magare, our Cape Griffin vulture, proclaim that our conservation partner for June and July is Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE)!

SAFE is a program through The Association of Zoos and Aquariums that brings together experts from across accredited facilities to save species from extinction. It’s a framework that protects threatened animals, builds on established recovery plans, prioritizes professional collaboration, implements strategic conservation and stakeholder engagement activities, and measures and reports conservation progress.

Several of our staff and the zoo as a whole participate heavily in the following SAFE programs:
Eastern indigo snake – Josie, Curator of Education
Asian hornbill – Gen, General Curator, and Josie, Curator of Education
African vulture – Megan, Curator of Birds & Mammals
Cuban crocodile – Lauren, Collections Manager

When you visit the Alligator Farm, and you’re asked if you’d like to donate a dollar or round up for conservation, you’ll be supporting these amazing SAFE programs. Learn more about SAFE at aza.org/aza-safe

📸 Hannah, Bird & Mammal Keeper
📸 Olis Garber

06/06/2026

This female Siamese crocodile has been busy building her yearly nest. Our keepers put extra nesting material in the habitat, such as leaves and soft dirt, which she uses to build a mound.

Siamese crocodiles are among the most endangered in the world and are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Just this past March, one of our juvenile Siamese crocodiles, Seng, arrived at Zoo Atlanta, where he will help educate the public about this incredible species.

🎥 Lydia, Reptile Keeper II

06/05/2026

It’s another zookeeper takeover! We’re sharing ten photos from Steven, one of our Reptile Keepers.

06/03/2026

Our new little porcupette is thriving under the watchful eye of its mama, Fauna. Enjoy these sweet porcupine nibbles.

🎥 Ashley, Assistant Curator of Birds & Mammals

06/02/2026

What do you do when your 16-foot-4-inch reticulated python needs a checkup? You call in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine program! 🐊

Last week, Dr. Amy Alexander, Dr. Christian Capobianco, and Certified Veterinary Technician Kara Prater, along with students from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, joined our staff in performing wellness checks on several animals, including our reticulated python. After being safely sedated, she underwent a thorough exam, during which students assisted Dr. Alexander and Dr. Capobianco with system checks, viewing the snake’s organs on ultrasound, drawing blood, and obtaining updated stats. Not only do visits like this ensure that our animals are properly cared for, but they also give students the chance to gain hands-on experience with animals they may encounter in zoo or aquarium settings.

📸 Kara, University of Florida and St. Augustine Alligator Farm