Panther Ridge Conservation Center

About

A conservation center home to 26 endangered big cats across 10 species including cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, and ocelots. Guided tours get kids surprisingly close to these magnificent animals while keepers share each cat's individual story and species conservation status. Perfect for kids who love animals and want to learn about wildlife conservation. Tours are intimate and must be booked ahead since you can't just walk in. The cats are most active during twilight hours, and specialty experiences let kids help with feeding preparation and making enrichment toys.

Panther Ridge Conservation Center is a nonprofit sanctuary located in Loxahatchee, Florida, dedicated to providing superior care to abandoned, rescued, and unwanted big cats

Programs (8)

• Panther Ridge Conservation Center Program

  Class
  · Variable

  Panther Ridge Conservation Center offers guided tours where kids get up close with rescued big cats and learn about their species and conservation—they've got 26 cats representing 10 different species living at the sanctuary in Loxahatchee. If your child is really into animals, they can even do a behind-the-scenes Head Keeper Tour to see what it actually takes to care for these incredible felines day-to-day. What makes this place special is that it's a real sanctuary, not a typical zoo—every cat there has been rescued and will have a permanent home, which is a great way for kids to understand why conservation matters. Costs vary year to year, so you'll want to reach out to them directly about current pricing and which tour option works best for your family.

• Yoga with the Big Cats

  Class
  · Paid

  Kids practice yoga poses and breathing exercises while big cats roam nearby in their habitats. Your kid gets a unique yoga experience combining mindfulness with wildlife observation.

• Big Cat Experience

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids work alongside a keeper to help with cleaning, diet prep, and making enrichment items for the larger cats. Your kid learns about each cat's individual personality and species information while doing hands-on keeper tasks.

• Twilight Hours

  Workshop
  · Evening· Paid

  Kids walk around the facility during evening hours when the big cats are most active and playful. Your kid gets to see the animals at their most energetic time of day in the new expanded facility.

• Small Cat Experience

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids work alongside a keeper to help with cleaning, diet prep, and making enrichment items for the smaller cat species. Your kid learns about each cat's individual personality and species information while doing hands-on keeper tasks.

• Guided Tour

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids walk through the conservation center with a guide to meet ten different big cat species up close. Your kid learns about each cat's story and conservation status in an intimate setting with small groups.

• Head Keeper Tour

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids go behind the scenes with the head keeper to see the daily care routines for the big cats. Your kid gets an in-depth look at both the animals' lives and what keepers do each day.

• Cheetah Walk

  Workshop
  · Paid

  Kids join keepers as they walk an ambassador cheetah around the conservation center grounds. Your kid gets this exclusive experience to see how the cheetahs exercise and explore their environment.