The Wandering Disciple

Tucked away beneath the shady oaks of Gainesville, Florida, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo offers one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the state. It’s not your typical zoo — it’s a working classroom, where students in Santa Fe College’s Zoo Animal Technology Program learn hands-on animal care while educating the public. For visitors, that means an up-close, intimate encounter with animals and the people who care for them. A Zoo That Teaches — and Inspires The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo was established in the 1970s as part of the college’s acclaimed Zoo Animal Technology Program, one of only a few in the nation. Here, students gain real-world experience managing and maintaining the zoo, ensuring animal welfare, and interacting with guests. Every exhibit and encounter reflects this educational mission — the keepers you meet aren’t just zookeepers, they’re students mastering their craft. The zoo’s 10-acre shaded trail winds through a peaceful forest setting, making it...