Central Florida Animal Reserve: A Big Heart for Big Cats!
“Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?“
– William Blake
You can see the “fearful symmetry” of beautifully striped tigers up close and personal at the Central Florida Animal Reserve! Along with tigers, you’ll also see lions, leopards, and cougars. If you’re a cat person, this big cat sanctuary is an absolute must for your bucket list. Cat cafes are cool and all. . .but nothing compares to an afternoon spent with the biggest, fluffiest, most majestic kitties in all of Florida! (I still can’t get over the size of those toe beans!!)
Make sure your camera (or phone) is at the ready when you visit. Big cats are still cats, so you’re likely to snap a shot of the next famous internet sensation! I mean, who wouldn’t love Grumpy Cougar? Even if your Instagram feed doesn’t go viral, you’ll be glad for the photos because these big cats are about to leave some huge pawprints on your heart!
The Resident Big Cat Royalty
The big cats at Central Florida Animal Reserve happily call this place their fur-ever home. Each kitty has their own story, and some require special long-term care, but all share one thing in common: they are deeply loved by the dedicated staff at CFAR!
The Central Florida Animal Reserve currently has 19 big cats. Their backgrounds vary. Some were rescues, others were retrieved from pet situations, and still others were adopted out of governmental agencies. None of the cats have ever been in the wild.1 Without the care of CFAR, these fuzzy felines wouldn’t have a home today.
Not only is CFAR critical in giving these big cats much-needed (and deserved) quality of life, but it’s also helping to preserve them as entire species. Sadly, in terms of conservation, all four resident species currently land on the endangered spectrum.
Cougars
While cougars have better numbers compared to the international felines, they are still listed as threatened, and Florida panthers in particular (a subspecies) are critically endangered, with only 160 left in the wild.2
As you watch these cream-and-dust colored beauties, listen for housecat sounds – unlike other big cats, cougars can’t roar but instead growl, purr, and hiss! Be sure to say a special “hello” to Koya – this resident cougar is especially adorable with incredibly expressive green eyes.
Lions
There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than getting to see a lion up close, and one resident lion, Coty, is particularly majestic. With his piercing eyes and elegant mane (so fluffy!), we think he should have been cast as a live-action Mufasa. He makes a great spokes-cat for his species, which is critically endangered in West Africa and vulnerable across its entire range.3
Leopards
The leopard is another vulnerable big cat species taking refuge at CFAR. The most adaptable and widely distributed of the big cats, certain wild populations of this spotted friend are still facing eradication from their regions.4 At CFAR, you won’t just see spots, you’ll also meet a melanistic – all-black – leopard, too. Often confused for a jaguar, this midnight-furred predator may just be the prettiest kitty of the crowd! (Fun Cat Fact: a group of cats – not necessarily big cats – is called a clowder. A group of kittens is a kindle!5)
Tigers
Each and every big cat is special, but the tigers are often the stars of the Central Florida Animal Reserve! Maaki, a Siberian tiger, rocks the classic orange and black stripes, while Iyo, a Bengal tiger, pulls off a chic, winter aesthetic with white fur and pale, blue eyes. Both Maaki and Iyo represent big cats in major decline. It is estimated there are fewer than 2,000 Bengal tigers and only 350-450 wild Siberian (or Amur) tigers left in the wild.6,7
Iyo is also the face of a mythical species – the “white tiger.” All white tigers are actually Bengal tigers with a genetic mutation and are the result of inbreeding. These poor kitties are usually riddled with health problems and deformities (leaving many “unwanted” and dumped), and they have no true conservation value because they are not their own species. Luckily, reputable big cat sanctuaries like CFAR are here to care for these imperfectly perfect tigers and educate people so, someday, such cruel and irresponsible breeding can come to an end.8
Book a Big Cat Tour
To see these big fur-babies for yourself, you can book a tour at the Central Florida Animal Reserve! There are several tours to choose from, and each one is grrreat in its own way! Tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays, and reservations – which can be made online – are required.
All tours are guided walking tours, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and come with questions to ask your knowledgeable guide. Each volunteer at CFAR is a certified cat person and pawsitively passionate about these frisky feline friends!
We think a tour here is a purrfect afternoon for families, couples, and single-pringle cat people alike! According to the CFAR, tours are simply for “anyone who has looked at a big cat with awe and wonder.”9
Guiding Walking Tour
The guided walking tour is an hour loop around the sanctuary grounds and gives you up-close views of the big cats. Your guide will give you the backstory of each sweet-faced friend and anecdotes highlighting their individual personalities. You’ll also learn in-depth truths about the plight of their wild cousins.
If your group has a “kindle” of kiddos under 10, there is a family tour tailored to the munchkins, or if you aren’t with a group at all, you can book a private tour and go solo! The private tour is highly recommended for photographers who want to camp out for a stellar shot or folks who just wants to spend more time with their favorite big cats instead of spending time in the local theme parks. Harness the true independence of cat-kind and set your own pace!
Whether you journey on your own or with a group, the walking tours are engaging, informative, and unforgettable.
Behind the Scenes
The behind the scenes tour will take you on a more intimate path through the big cat sanctuary and allow you to see even more residents than the normal walking tours. At 90 minutes long, you get even more time with the big cats, and you can’t beat that! You’ll also get a better idea of Central Florida Animal Reserves’ inner workings.
If the inner workings really spark your interest, you might also consider taking the executive tour led by senior staff. During this tour, the staff will share their experiences caring for big cats, including heartwarming, personal moments they’ve shared with the resident felines.
Keeper for a Day
The most involved of all the tours, the Keeper for a Day tour, lets you shadow and assist CFAR keepers as they clean enclosures, prepare hearty meals, and most fun of all, provide enrichment for the big cats! This experience lasts five hours and is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Big Heart, Big Mission, Big Cats
When you visit Central Florida Animal Reserve, you’ll see for yourself why it’s a top-rated nonprofit organization. For twenty years, the CFAR mission has been: “Compassion. Conservation. Commitment.”
Today, they are still ferociously dedicated to providing the best possible home for big cats that would otherwise be abandoned. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and the big cats themselves are utterly inspiring.
After being whiskered away to the Central Florida Animal Reserve, you’ll emerge with a profound, new perspective of the natural world and an even deeper love of cats, both big and small.
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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