Our immediate goal is the provision of humane, professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned native wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild.  The Center is home to over 250 animals including lizards, small mammals, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and of course….alligators.  Our animal family comes to us from various sources such as the FWC, SPCA, wildlife rescues, and individual owners who can no longer care for their pets.

Equally important, the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center strives to provide education to the public about the natural history, importance of, and ways in which we can coexist with the rich diversity of wildlife in the world. Thousands of students, scouts, teachers, homeowners, seniors and others attend our education programs annually. As this region continues to draw new residents from urban areas, the need for advice, assistance, information, education and referrals will grow. The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is seeking to reach a broader group of people by providing on-site & off-site programs and informational literature about preventing and reducing human-wildlife conflicts in addition to its current outreach educational services.