Florida Wildlife Sanctuaries

Where Wild Animals are Rescued, Rehabilitated, and Homed for Life

Florida hosts several important wild life sanctuaries for Florida wildlife and other wild species. These include the Big Cat Sanctuary in Jacksonville that is home to lions, tigers, cougars, and other large cats and the Chimp Sanctuary in Jupiter, FL. The sanctuaries listed here are visitor oriented in addition to providing rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat for wild animals. Florida Zoos also provide wildlife rescue such as the sea turtle rescue program at the Brevard Zoo.

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary for Big Cats - Jacksonville, FL

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. “Our mission is to provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big cats, and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and captivity." Our primary focus is in the rescue of cats from serious situations. Once an animal is taken in at Catty Shack Ranch, they have a loving forever home for life.
We do not breed, sell, or trade any of our animals. Our current residents include tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, servals, caracals, and foxes. 
Night Feeding Tours: Night feedings are held for the public on Friday and Saturday only. Self-guided tours start at 6pm and the feeding starts at 7pm. Admission for feedings is $45 for adults (age 12 and older), $20 for kids 3-11, and free for kids 2 and younger. Our cats wake up and get excited about feeding time – so be prepared to hear them roar and see them play with each other and their toys.

Myakka Elephant Ranch - Near Sarasota, FL

Myakka Elephant Ranch is a unique conservation center in Myakka City, Florida, dedicated to the care, education, and long-term preservation of elephants. This family-run, USDA-licensed facility offers visitors an intimate opportunity to learn about these remarkable animals while supporting global conservation efforts. Unlike traditional attractions, the ranch focuses on responsible, ethical encounters designed to raise awareness about the challenges elephants face in the wild, including habitat loss and poaching.

Guests can participate in guided educational experiences that highlight elephant biology, behavior, and daily care. Popular programs include bathing demonstrations, feeding sessions, and up-close learning encounters that emphasize respect and animal welfare. The ranch also partners with international conservation organizations, contributing to research, habitat protection, and rescue initiatives.

Myakka Elephant Ranch operates with a mission to inspire stewardship through education. Every visit helps fund veterinary care, enrichment, and conservation projects, making it a meaningful destination for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about animal protection. Set in the quiet rural landscape of Myakka City, the ranch provides a peaceful environment where visitors can connect with elephants in a thoughtful, impactful way. It has quickly become one of Florida’s most memorable and purpose-driven wildlife experiences.

Shy Wolf Sanctuary - Naples, FL

Shy Wolf Sanctuary

Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples, Florida is a unique wildlife rescue and education center dedicated to saving exotic animals and captive-bred wolves. Visitors to this respected Naples sanctuary can experience up-close encounters while learning about wolfdogs, foxes, cougars, and other rescued species.

Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education and Experience Center focuses on rehabilitation, lifelong care, and conservation outreach across Southwest Florida. Plan a visit to Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples to support animal rescue, volunteer opportunities, guided tours, and educational programs. This hidden gem near the Everglades is a must-see Naples, FL attraction for animal lovers and eco-tourists of all ages.

Save the Chimps - Fort Pierce, FL

Save the Chimps is one of the largest privately funded chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. Save the Chimps provides lifelong care for chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the pet trade, and the entertainment industry. The sanctuary offers spacious, naturalistic habitats where the chimpanzees can live out their lives in a safe and nurturing environment.

The sanctuary spans over 150 acres and offers spacious, naturalistic habitats where the chimpanzees can thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. The sanctuary is not open to the public, but can ve visited through several ticketed events that are oulined on their website, Save the Chimps.

EARS - Citra, FL

EARS stands for "Exotic Animals Rescue Society" and specializes in caring for previously malnourished, abused, and abandoned big cats and other exotic animals. Animals include Lions, Ligers, Tigers, (Orange & White) Bears, Leopards, Bobcats, Cougar, Monkeys and more! Visitation at EARS is limited to scheduled tours on the first Saturday of each month. This is a slow moving guided walking tour on 35 acres of land. We educate the members on how the animals came to EARS and information about animal habitat in the wild. PLEASE NO PHOTOGRAPHY! See EARS website more details.

Center for Great Apes - Wauchula, Fl

The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been rescued or retired from the entertainment industry, from research, from the exotic pet trade, or from other situations where great apes need rescue and lifetime care. The Center will provide care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for all sanctuary residents.

The Center for Great Apes is not open to the general public as an attraction or zoo. However, we do offer visits for our members at certain membership levels, as well as host periodic members-only events and educational programs and tours.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary - Jupiter, FL

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

• Mission: Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured, and orphaned native Florida wildlife, while also educating the public about conservation.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation: Provides medical care and recovery for hundreds of animals each year, including panthers, bears, otters, bobcats, foxes, alligators, and birds of prey.
• Educational Programs: Offers hands-on learning experiences, guided tours, and wildlife presentations to teach visitors about Florida’s ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Animal Ambassadors: Houses non-releasable animals that serve as ambassadors to help educate the community about conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
• Facilities: Features nature trails, a welcome center, and well-designed enclosures that replicate natural habitats for over 200 resident animals.
• Community Engagement: Hosts events, volunteer opportunities, and outreach programs to involve the public in wildlife protection.
• Funding: Operates as a nonprofit organization, relying on donations, sponsorships, and community support rather than government funding.
• Visitor Experience: Open to the public with free admission (donations encouraged), making it an accessible destination for families, schools, and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Conservation Impact: Welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually, raising awareness about Florida’s native species and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Florida Zoos' Roll in Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation

Zoo Miami

• Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
  • Works with local and state agencies to care for injured, orphaned, or confiscated wildlife.
  • Species include crocodiles, snakes, birds, and manatees.
  • Provides temporary housing, medical care, and rehabilitation with the goal of release.
• Manatee Rescue Collaboration
  • Partners with FWC and SeaWorld to assist in manatee rescue and transport.
  • Staff trained to respond to strandings and marine mammal emergencies.
• Exotic Animal Confiscation Support
  • Assists law enforcement with confiscated exotic pets and trafficked wildlife.
  • Provides sanctuary and care for unreleasable animals.
• Global Conservation Projects
  • Supports fieldwork in over 30 countries.
  • Projects include jaguar conservation in Belize and amphibian rescue in Panama.
• Education & Community Outreach
  • Offers programs on wildlife rescue, conservation, and responsible pet ownership.
  • Hosts events like “ZooDo” and “Party for the Planet.”

Zoo Tampa

• Manatee Critical Care Center
  • ZooTampa operates one of only four critical care centers for manatees in Florida.
  • Specializes in treating sick, injured, and orphaned manatees with the goal of rehabilitation and release.
  • Facilities include heated pools, medical equipment, and expert veterinary staff.
• Rescue & Rehabilitation Impact
  • ZooTampa has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of manatees since the program began.
  • Works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other partners.
  • Manatees are often treated for boat strike injuries, cold stress syndrome, and malnutrition.
• Public Education & Conservation
  • Offers educational programs to raise awareness about manatee conservation.
  • Visitors can view recovering manatees and learn about threats to their survival.
  • Supports broader conservation efforts to protect Florida’s aquatic ecosystems.

Brevard Zoo

• Manatee Rehabilitation Center: Brevard Zoo opened a state-of-the-art facility to care for stable, non-critical manatee patients needing monitoring, weight gain, or better weather conditions for release.
• Capacity and Equipment: The center can house up to six manatees and includes three large tanks, a smaller tank, a walk-in cooler for diets, a life support system, and a transport truck for rescues and releases.
• 24/7 Monitoring: Cameras are installed throughout the facility to allow continuous observation of manatee patients by the animal care team.
• Expert Staff: The facility is managed by experienced professionals including a Senior Conservation Manager and a Conservation Zoologist, both with backgrounds in manatee rescue.
• Collaborative Rescue Efforts: Brevard Zoo works with partners like SeaWorld Orlando and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to rescue and rehabilitate manatees.
• Restore Our Shores Initiative: In addition to rehabilitation, the zoo is restoring seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon to combat starvation among manatees caused by algal blooms.
• Future Expansion: Plans are underway to build a rehabilitation center at the upcoming Aquarium and Conservation Center, aiming for eventual release of all manatee patients back into their native habitats.