The Southwest Florida sanctuary is an exotic animal retirement community. Visitors to nearby Babcock Ranch Wilderness Adventures can get up close and personal with Florida cracker cattle, horses and Florida wildlife such as panthers, alligators and deer on a swamp buggy trip. Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary offers a different experience by telling travelers the stories of the abandoned, unwanted, abused or confiscated wild animals.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: It’s About the Animals
Raccoons, Death Valley burros and iguanas are the not so exotic animals at the sanctuary and Bengal tigers, lions and a Himalayan black bear represent the exotic. Others include cougars, primates and birds. The animals found their way to Octagon in various ways but with one common thread, no one else is able to care for them. Some were brought to the sanctuary because owners were no longer able to care for them or passed away. Other exotic animals were kept illegally and confiscated by wildlife officials.
A handful of animals have been retired from show business like the Himalayan black bear named Baloo. The 30-year-old bear once performed in a now defunct circus. Other animals have been abused by their original owners, like the male lion named Zulu. His owners tried to stunt his growth by keeping him confined inside a pet carrier and feeding him canned dog food. The lion’s nose is scarred and has bald patches due to friction from turning around in a small container.
For nearly 30 years, the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary has been a haven for unwanted and abused exotic animals. The organization is a non-profit organization relying heavily on volunteers, donations and grants to support the sanctuary.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: The Visitor Experience
More than 200 animals are kept in clean cages maintained by volunteers. Visitors to Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary are invited to walk the grounds and observe the residents. Since these are wild animals by nature and have had some type of human interaction, they cannot be released into the wild nor do they interact with the visitors. Fences keep visitors away from the cages.
Pockets of resting areas with picnic tables or chairs are nestled throughout the 10-acre zoo. Lush banana trees and palm trees offer shade. Quirky statues are sprinkled throughout the sanctuary. Look for red hat gnomes, Buddha sculptures and a nativity scene.
Walkways are more like walking trails and are not paved but easy for strollers and wheelchairs to navigate over. Bring refreshments as services are limited. Feeding the animals is prohibited.
The sanctuary is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and other days by appointment. Admission is $10 for each adult and $5 for children 8 to 17-years-old and adult seniors (55-years-old and older). Children 7 and younger are free. Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 41660 Horseshoe Road, Punta Gorda, Tel: (239) 543-1130.
Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: How to Get There
Punta Gorda is located in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands in Southwest Florida, between Tampa and Fort Myers. The sanctuary is located off State Route 31, south of Babcock Ranch.
The Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center is caring for unwanted animals no one else is capable of or willing to care for. Visiting the sanctuary and meeting and hearing the stories of the exotic animal residents completes a Punta Gorda and Southwest Florida vacation.
