Bear Creek Feline Center
Panama City, FL
- Admission
- —
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Bear Creek Feline Center
3 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Bear Creek Feline Center say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Bear Creek Feline Center
Bear Creek Feline Center is a wildcat sanctuary at 8822 Tracy Way in Panama City, Florida. According to its website, it was established in April 2000 by James E. Broaddus II and gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in August 2007. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The center states that its aim is to provide permanent homes to retired celebrities, confiscations and failed pet attempts, and to bridge professional zoos and private institutions. It also describes conservation of wild felines through educational opportunities, alongside sanctuary, as central to the project.
Exhibits and habitats
According to its website, the center provides permanent homes to the three wild cat species found in Florida, the Florida panther, jaguarundi and Florida bobcat, as well as Siberian lynx, cougars and African servals. The website refers to the center's 21 big cats.
Conservation and programs
The center states that it is licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the USDA, and that it is staffed around the clock by licensed professionals. It lists approval by the Florida Department of Education as a vocational rehabilitation and on-the-job training center in November 2010, and a work site agreement with the Florida Department of Corrections in 2009. Its website also lists intern programs focused on developing enrichment tools, and states that donations go to food and medical care.
Planning your visit
Tours are by appointment only, and the center does not accept walk-ins. As listed on its website, tours run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The center can be reached at (850) 722-9927 or bcfctours@gmail.com.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- Group size limits and age rules for tours
- Whether tour days change seasonally
Bear Creek Feline Center compared with nearby zoos
How Bear Creek Feline Center lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek Feline CenterThis zooPanama City, FL | — | — | — | No |
| Amazing Animals IncSaint Cloud, FL | — | Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year for private guided tours by appointment only at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM daily. | — | No |
| BF Petting FarmThonotosassa, FL | $8 | Thu–Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. | — | No |
| Boyett’s Grove & Citrus AttractionBrooksville, FL | — | Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; 5 PM is last admission to Wildlife Park. | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Bear Creek Feline Center: common questions
Can visitors drop in?
No. The center states that tours are by appointment only.
Which cats live at the center?
Florida panthers, jaguarundi, Florida bobcats, Siberian lynx, cougars and African servals, according to its website.
When was it founded?
In April 2000, according to its website.
Is it AZA-accredited?
No.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.