Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Zoo and botanical gardens in Sanford, Florida.

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens covers 116 acres (47 hectares) along Lake Monroe in Sanford, north of Orlando. It opened at this site on July 4, 1975, on 106 acres donated by Seminole County, with Jack Hanna as director. About 400 animals representing nearly 100 species live here, and the grounds hold botanical collections as well as the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground and a miniature railway.

The zoo began in 1923 as a small municipal collection in Sanford, initially housing animals donated by the local fire department. The institution moved to its current location in 1975 to provide more space for animals and visitors.

The zoo marks its botanical garden status, declared in 2007, with labeled plant collections woven between the animal habitats. Annual events include ZOO Boo Bash, Hippity Hop Adventure and Brews Around the Zoo, a spring event for visitors 21 and older. In 2019 the first Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild brought 35 hand-crafted illuminated lanterns made with Tianyu Arts & Culture and drew more than 38,000 guests.

The facility opens daily from 9 AM to 4 PM with activities including animal encounters and giraffe feedings. A miniature train operates through the grounds, making it easier to explore the entire property without walking long distances.

The zoo runs the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation, an offsite facility that breeds eastern indigo snakes and releases them where the species has disappeared. It also joins AZA Species Survival Plans for the Indian rhino, cheetah, Amur leopard, cotton-top tamarin and blue iguana, and keeps studbooks for the clouded leopard, silver-cheeked hornbill and white-cheeked turaco.