ZooTampa and fStop Foundation Three-Year Partnership Highlights Need for Additional Wildlife Monitoring in Central Florida

Working together to ensure a brighter future for Florida Panthers

ZooTampa at Lowry Park and the fStop Foundation have reached a three-year milestone in their collaboration to protect the endangered Florida panther. The two organizations work together to monitor trail cameras that provide wildlife data that is used to guide planning of new roads, buildings and wildlife crossings within the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest in Polk County. One of the newest and most exciting deployments is the set of cameras supporting the construction of the first wildlife overpass in the state, which will be located over I-4 near Lakeland and scheduled to open in 2027.

With an estimated 120 to 230 Florida panthers remaining in the wild, every individual is crucial to the species’ survival. In 2024, state wildlife officials documented a record 36 Florida panther deaths, the highest toll since 2016. So far this year, 11 panthers have died after being struck by vehicles.

The fStop Foundation, a Plantation-based nonprofit, raises awareness of wildlife conservation in Florida and supports conservation efforts through more than 160 cameras deployed throughout the state and the wildlife corridor.

“ZooTampa is proud to celebrate an incredible three years of partnership with the fStop Foundation. Through this partnership, both organizations have benefited from each other’s knowledge, insights, observations, and commitment to the shared cause of protecting the Florida Panther for future generations,” said Tiffany Burns, Senior Director of Animal Programs. “This is a shining example of the power of collaboration between Zoos and other conservation organizations.”

“Three years strong with ZooTampa! Grateful for a conservation partner who brings expertise, passion, and boots-on-the-ground support as our field techs on the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest,” said William Freund, President of fStop Foundation. “Here’s to protecting Florida’s wild places together.”

During their camera checks, the ZooTampa team observed several Florida panthers, with the first sighting in May 2024. They have also captured footage of bears, turkeys, hogs, deer, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, robins, sandhill cranes, owls, and river otters. While servicing the cameras, species seen in person have included gopher tortoises, deer, armadillos, turkeys, caracaras, and a bald eagle.

Together both organizations will continue their conservation efforts and gain valuable insight into Florida’s native wildlife.

Vehicle collisions remain one of the greatest threats to Florida panthers. Drivers in panther habitat are urged to slow down and stay alert, especially during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours. Anyone who sees an injured, sick, or deceased panther should report it immediately to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Click here for pictures and video.

https://zootampa.box.com/s/z5gn0w4i1j8831n93qsjxajnl9hfxrec

Job Fair

Please review our booking tips before continuing

To qualify for a group rate, you need a minimum of 15 people.

1. Please make one field trip per reservation order. Complete one and start a new one if you have multiple days you are booking.

2. Headcount can be approximate. Please include children and adults in your headcount. Please do not include pass holders in your headcount for a ticket.

3. On the ticket page, choose the correct grade level (to the left of your screen) to receive the correct chaperone ratio.

4. On the ticket page, when on the calendar section, the number of tickets available will appear in the top right corner for each particular day. Tickets available include children and adults. If you have more people than tickets available, please choose another day.

5. Anyone that is ordering lunch, even pass holders and adults that receive free chaperone tickets, do need to pay for a lunch IF they are ordering one. Free chaperone tickets and pass holders are for admission only.

Boxed lunch orders must be received 5 business days prior to your field trip arrival. Groups will be responsible for all boxed lunches that were confirmed at that time.

6. Payment does not need to be paid at the time of registration. Choose the pay upon arrival option if you would like one person to pay for your entire trip on the day of your visit.

7. The prices of adult and children’s tickets are different.

8. You will receive a confirmation number and confirmation letter via email when your trip is confirmed. If you do not, please contact FieldTrips@ZooTampa.org right away.

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Members receive 10% discount on dining.

Sales tax not included in prices. 

Pizzas

Slice or Large Pie

Cheese or Pepperoni

Meat Lovers

Pepperoni, Sausage, Bacon Bits

Veggie Lovers

Tomato, Red Onions, Peppers, Black Olives, Mushroom

Supreme Pizza

Pepperoni, Bacon, Red Onions, Peppers, Black Olives, Mushroom

Gluten Free Crust

6x10in Pizza, Feeds 2, Any Flavor Above

Sub Sandwiches

All sub sandwiches are served with fries

Turkey and Swiss*

Meatball Sub*

Pizza Dog

Beef Hotdog Topped With Marina, Mozzarella Cheese, With A Choice of Pepperoni or Sausage

Sides

Fries (V&V)

Mozzarella Sticks* (V)

Chicken Favorites

Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders Served With Fries

6 Wings

12 Wings

Wing Flavors: BBQ, Thai Chili, Buffalo

Lighter Meals

Roasted Veggie Flatbread* (V&V)

Naan Flatbread, Garlic Butter, Zucchini, Squash, Onion, Tomato, Carrot. Gluten Free Options Available on Sweet Potato Flatbread Upon Request

Caprese Flatbread* (V)

Pesto, Mozzarella, Tomato, Spring Mix, and Balsamic Glaze on Flatbread. Gluten Free Option Available Upon Request

Italian Zoodles (G)(V&V)

Zucchini, Tomato, Squash, Pesto 

Black Bean Burger* (V&V)

Black Bean Burger, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, and Fries. Available With Gluten Free Bun

Greek Salad (G)(V)

Romaine, Cucumber, Kalamata Olives, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Feta Cheese

Caesar Salad* (V)

Romaine, Parm Cheese, Croutons on the Side, Your Choice of Dressing

Caprese Salad (G)(V)

Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Spring Mix, Pesto

Roasted Veggie Wrap (V&V)

Zucchini, Squash, Onion, Tomato, Carrot, Spring Mix on A Wrap

Kids Meals

Kids meals are served with fries and a juice box

Hot Dog*

Mac and Cheese* (V)

Ask about our dietary friendly options when ordering

*  Gluten Free upon request 

(G) Gluten Free

(V) Vegetarian friendly

(V&V) Vegan and Vegetarian friendly

Members receive 10% discount on dining.

Sales tax not included in prices. 

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Classic Grilled Cheese (V)

Colby, American and Swiss Cheese on Asiago Sourdough

Caprese Grilled Cheese (V)

Tomato, Pesto, and  Mozzarella on Italian Sourdough

Short Rib Fontina Grilled Cheese

Short Rib, Fontina and BBQ Sauce on Cuban Inspired Sourdough

Loaded Mac

Buffalo Chicken Mac

Mac and Cheese Topped With Shredded Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese

BBQ Pulled Pork Mac

Mac and Cheese Topped With BBQ Pulled Pork and Crispy Onions

Taco Mac

Mac and Cheese Topped With Taco Meat and Pico De Gallo

Loaded Tots

Classic Tots

Bacon, Cheese, Jalapeno Tater Tots

BBQ Pulled Pork Tots

BBQ Pulled Pork Tater Tots

Cheesy Tots (V)

Cheesy Tater Tots

Personal Pizza

Personal Pan Cheese Pizza (V)

Personal Pan Pepperoni Pizza

Other

Chicken Tenders

3 Chicken Tenders With Tots

Lil’ Joey Meal

Meals Include Tots, Juice Box, and Special Toy

Hot Dog*

Chicken Tenders (2)

Sliders (2)

Sides

Mac and Cheese

Tater Tots

For special dietary and allergy requests, please see one of our team members for assistance.

*  Gluten Free upon request 

(V) Vegetarian friendly

Members receive 10% discount on dining.

Sales tax not included in prices. 

Handcrafted sandwiches

All meals come with sandwich and choice of side.

Gluten free buns available upon request.

Fresh Hand Pressed Cheeseburger*

Hand Pressed Bacon Cheeseburger*

Classic BLT*

Applewood Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, on Texas Toast

Classic Grilled Cheese* (V)

LIMITED TIME Roast Beef Club Sandwich

Roast Beef, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Swiss Cheese, and a side of Horseradish

Cheese: American, Swiss, Pepper jack, or Cheddar

Toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Pickles, Grilled Onions, Grilled Mushrooms, Fried Egg, Jalapeños, Banana Peppers

Sides: Fries, Onion Rings, Side Salad, or Fresh Fruit

Add side of Nacho Cheese

Lighter Meals

Caesar Salad* (V)(G)

Romaine Lettuce, Seasoned Croutons, Shaved Parm, Caesar Dressing

Chopped Cobb Salad* (V)(G)

Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato, Egg, Bacon, Avocado, Blue Cheese

Fresh Veggie Wrap (V)

Flour Tortilla, Lettuce, Roasted Veggies, Balsamic Glaze

Roasted Veggie Flatbread* (V&V)

Naan Flatbread, Garlic Butter, Zucchini, Squash, Onion, Tomato, Carrot. Gluten Free Option Available Upon Request With Sweet Potato Crust.

IMPOSSIBLE Burger* (V&V)

Your Choice of Cheese, Toppings, and One Side. Gluten Free Bun Available.

Black Bean Burger* (V&V)

Your Choice of Cheese, Toppings, and One Side. Gluten Free Bun Available.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich*

Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Choice of Cheese, and One Side. Gluten Free Bun Available.

Kids Meals

Served with fries or fresh fruit, kids’ toy, and kids’ juice box.

2 Slider Burgers*

Chicken Nuggets

Mac and Cheese (V)

Frozen Custard & Milkshakes

Frozen Custard in a Cup

Frozen Custard in a Waffle Cone

Macaw Blast

Frozen Custard with your choice of frozen treats blended in: Chopped Nuts, Crushed Oreo, Reese’s Pieces, M&Ms

Hand Spun Milkshake

Chocolate or Vanilla

Add Premium Toppings

Snacks

Iced Coffee

Bag of Popcorn

Popcorn Refill

Pretzel

Cotton Candy

Ask about our dietary friendly options when ordering

*  Gluten Free upon request 

(G) Gluten Free

(V) Vegetarian friendly

(V&V) Vegan and Vegetarian friendly

Join our Summer Camp Waitlist

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)
Child's Name(Required)

Important Information

To complete your camp registration, you must:

  • Add camps to your shopping cart.
  • Enter roster information for each camp.
    • List all people that are authorized to pick-up your child from camp.
    • No camper will be released unless the adult picking up the child is on the authorized pick-up list and shows a photo ID.
  • Read and agree to the following documents:
  • Make payment.
  • Upon payment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the above documents attached. Please print, sign, and return the Camp Waiver and Liability Release to EducationPrograms@ZooTampa.org or ZooTampa Summer Camp, c/o Jamie Elkington, 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604. All waivers MUST be received no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of your camp program or your registration is subject to cancellation.

By clicking the registration button below, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Camp Waiver and Liability Release and Camp Handbook and will print, sign, and return the Camp Waiver and Liability Release to complete my registration.

Camp Registration

‘Tis the Season For Giving!

Donate to the ZooTampa Giving Tree

Trustees of the Lowry Park Zoological Society, Directors of the Lowry Park Zoo Endowment Foundation, and the Employees and Volunteers of ZooTampa understand and appreciate the vital role of philanthropy to accomplish our work. That’s why we subscribe to the Donor Bill of Rights developed by the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, National Society of Fund Raising Executives:

“Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes that they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

  1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
  2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
  3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
  4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
  6. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
  7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
  8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
  9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
  10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.”

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is committed to protecting your privacy. We value the trust of our donors, volunteers, employees, and other supporters and recognize that maintaining this trust requires us to ensure the confidentiality of personal information that you share with us.

As a non-profit organization, ZooTampa relies on your support, depends on the support of generous contributors, and achieves ambitious fundraising objectives by communicating with and understanding donors. We know that it is essential to protect the privacy of that information. ZooTampa, the Lowry Park Zoological Society, and the Lowry Park Zoo Endowment Foundation will neither sell nor trade a donor’s personal information to any other entity without the written permission of the donor.

FLORIDA STATE REGISTRATION

Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, INC.: Registration No. CH140
Lowry Park Endowment Foundation, INC.: Registration No. CH20389

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES

Phone: (800) 435-7352
FloridaConsumerHelp.com

Christmas in the Wild Reservation Changes

  • This can be found in your original purchase or reservation confirmation email.

  • We will do our best to accommodate your request, however changes are based on availability. A member of our team will reach out to you via the contact information provided above within 48 hours. Note: an additional fee may apply to event tickets being changed to a higher priced event night. Thank you!

Commemorations

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.
 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon 
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Zoo Fun Tickets

With a new Zoo Fun ticket, you get free admission through December 31, 2026 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Zoo Fun ticket expire?

All Zoo Fun tickets purchased now through 9/31/26 will expire on 12/31/2026.

What are the blockout dates?

2026:

10/10,  10/17, & 10/24 (only after 4:00 PM during Creatures of the Night)

11/27/26 – 11/28/26, including Christmas in the Wild

Can I purchase a Zoo Fun ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Zoo Fun ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Zoo Fun ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Zoo Fun ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Zoo Fun ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Zoo Fun tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
Buy a Blockout Upgrade

I purchased a Zoo Fun ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!

Buy Zoo Fun Tickets

How do blockout dates affect seasonal events?

Blockout dates may apply on some seasonal event nights for Zoo Fun ticket holders. A blockout ticket upgrade is available to gain entry on those select nights. Blockout dates do not apply to Members.

Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.