To see animals in their natural habitat here in Palm Beach County is managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System. The National Wildlife Refuge System is within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants. Wildlife Refuges are home to more than 700 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 250 reptile and amphibian species, and more than 200 species of fish. Fifty-nine Refuges have been established with a primary purpose of conserving threatened or endangered species.
The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 2500 Park Drive in Jupiter is a great place to visit. Here, there are nature trails where you may spot deer. The enclosed sanctuary areas contain otters, alligators, turkeys, turtles, panthers, bald eagles and more. The sanctuary also rehabilitates wild animals and cares for those that have injuries too severe to be reintroduced back into the wild. You can see these animals and learn a lot from the different exhibits and tour for a small donation. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary if open to the public, Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. rain or shine!
The McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, 12943 61st Street North in West Palm Beach rescues and rehabilitates local wildlife from all different types of situations. It is also known for its guided tours that get up close and personal with many of the rehabilitated animals. The cost is $35 and filled with useful information. There is always a great adventure waiting for you and your family.
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Refuge Complex. It is a National Wildlife Refuge Complex is 143,954 acres of northern Everglade’s wetlands located in Palm Beach County. The native vegetative communities of the Everglades ecosystem found on the Refuge include a mosaic of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and a 400-acre cypress swamp, which is the largest intact cypress area remaining in the eastern Everglades system.
