McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
12943 61st Street North
West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Tours: 11am – Noon – 1pm
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Tour Reservations : 561.790.2116

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary has treated hundreds of native animals that were sick or injured. Everything from foxes to bobcats, Sandhill Cranes to pelicans, hawks, owls, and many others have received veterinarian care by our staff and then released back into the wild. Without the support of our volunteers and members, it would be impossible to continue the work for this valuable cause. While on one of our tours you will see everything from White Tigers to Black Leopards, Ruffed Lemurs to Kinkajous, Scarlet Macaws to Black Palm Cockatoos, Red tail Hawks to Great Horned Owls and Albino Burmese Pythons to Green Mambas! Please dress appropriately – closed shoes and long pants are advised and hats and sunscreen are also suggested. Our tours last from 60-90 minutes.

Many of the exotic animals have been donated by wildlife officers who confiscated these creatures from the previous owners because of neglect, abuse, or illegal possession. Some were pets that owners could no longer care for and felt McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary would provide the animals a safe haven. The cost of housing and feeding these magnificent creatures can be staggering. Twenty-two of the animals are large cats and, being carnivores, they consume one thousand pounds of meat each week!

Director Mark McCarthy has worked professionally with animals since 1972. His first experience was at the famous venom research lab in the Miami Serpentarium as a reptile keeper. He also assisted the director, William E. Haast, with venom extractions on stage. Afterwards, Mark studied wildlife throughout the southwestern and southeastern US, Mexico, Panama, Columbia, Galapagos Islands, and his all time favorite place, Tanzania.

In 1990, Mark moved to Palm Beach County and built the McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, where he lives today with the love of his life, Aneth, whom he met on safari in Tanzania. Located on five acres of slash pine and palmetto forest in West Palm Beach, together they care for over 170 beautiful creatures. Mark has performed over 6,000 wildlife programs for over 500,000 students in South Florida while taking in over 4,000 injured native animals and saving the lives of hundreds.

Note: Visitation to McCarthy’s Wildlife is by reservation only. Please call 561.790.2116 to reserve your tour!

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