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Alabama |
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Lake Guntersville
Every weekend in January Alabama's Lake Guntersville State Park has eagle events, including talks and the chance to see the eagles.
7966 AL Hwy. 227,
Guntersville (256) 571-5440 |
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Mobile Manatees
About 20 endangered manatees spend their summers in Mobile Bay, according to Dr. Ruth Carmichael, senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. According to this map of sightings, the manatees seem to like this industrial shipping canal, Meaher State Park and Terry Cove near Orange Beach, but they're all around the edges of the bay and even up into the rivers.) If you see one be sure to help out report it at manatee.disl.org
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Alabama is the furthest reach of the horseshoe crab population in the states, though strays sometimes show up in Texas. Horseshoecrab.org lists Dauphin Island at one Alabama site, noting its on the Mobile Bay side. The other barrier islands out here have them, too--especially in the spring mating. Horseshoecrab.org mentions Fort Morgan (west of Gulf shores). Ask the folks at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, which also has excursions into the dunes and marsh, for Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL (251) 861-2141
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Tigers for Tomorrow is a 140-acre exotic animal rescue park in the of the Appalachian foothills of northeastern Alabama. The center promises "get up close and personnel with over 70 big cats, wolves and bears in the carnivore compound. You’ll be closer to lions and tigers than ever before in a safe and natural setting... Handlers and keepers provide visitors with spontaneous interactions and animal talks throughout the day." Kids can interact with farm animals and you can reserve private tours, group tours and school field trips. Open every Fri., Sat., and Sun. 9-5, but hours are seasonal, so check.
Bonus species: kangaroo, bear, turtle, coati, agouti, camel
708 County Road 345, Dekalb County, just off I-59
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Arkansas |
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Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, long thought extinct, may be alive in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. Of course, no one knows exactly where it may be living in the refuge--the hunt is still on for stronger proof it exists--so the map placemark is approximate. The wildlife service reports that it is concentrating the search in Rex Hancock Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area, Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Dagmar Wildlife Management Area, Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area, and White River National Wildlife Refuge.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker recovery, please contact Laurie Fenwood at (404)679-4016
Refuge 870-347-2614
The refuge is scattered over a wide area northeast of Little Rock. The main office is in Dixie, AR on Hwy 33, 16 miles south of Augusta, AR.
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Devils Den
Each June Devils Den State Park holds Bat-O-Rama, a weekend long festival 11333 W Highway 74, West Fork, AR (479) 761-3325 |
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Buffalo National River Elk
Elk were reintroduced to Arkansas along the Buffalo National River in the 1980s. The native eastern elk were wiped out by hunting around 1900 and the first attempt to reintroduce Rocky Mountain elk in the 1930s eventually failed. Now about 500 elk live in the state. Birding Arkansas says that the best place to see them is by Ark. 43 and Ark. 21; by the Erbie campground; near Ark. 7 bridge at Pruitt or near Ark. 123 bridge at Carver.
The elk are very popular--only partly for hunting. The Ponca Elk Education Center, (870) 861-2432) and the Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum and Elk Information Center (870) 446-6180 love them. (870) 365-2700 |
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Florida -since Florida has so much wildlife it's got it's own page |
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Crystal River - FL
Because 400 manatees winter here, it's a big tourist destination. Some tour operators have been caught on film harassing manatees to please tourists. Even Save the Manatees, however, thinks the tours are worthwhile for the manatee advocates they create. The kayak tours bother them far less than the "swim with a manatee" programs. You may also try nearby King's Bay Manatee Sanctuary and Chassahowitizka River.
Nature Coast Kayak Tours Local Tracy Colson volunteers rescuing manatees and won an award from Save the Manatee for her work documenting harassement and campaigning to end it. The 3-hour tour is $40. (352) 795 - 9877
Aardvark’s Florida Kayak Company (352) 795-5650
Manatees in Paradise
Husband and wife, Captain Mike and Stacy Dunn, help with manatee rescue and bay clean up. Their pontoon boat only holds up to six. $25 per person, plus wet suit rental.
352-563-0865
Nature's Connection
Capt. Hank rides with up to 12 on 3 1/2 hour tours.
$50 including wet suit.
(352)697-0220
Aardvark’s Florida Kayak Company This wildlife biologist works with
Save the Manatees
(352) 795-5650
Adventure Outpost
Lars Andersen, who writes guides on paddling and the area, leads kayak tours of many waterways. $39
386-454-0611
Wild Florida Adventures Brack Barker used to be a parks ranger and enforcement officer.
Williston, FL (352) 528-3984 Tours@wild-florida.com
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Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Area
Manatees like warm water, so they are attracted to the Tampa Electric Company plant. The company set up a Manatee Viewing Area to accomodate animal tourists. The manatee season here is Nov. 1-April 15. Up to 300 manatees come here when the bay is cold. Here's where you make reservations. 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL (813) 228-4289
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The Lubee Bat Conservatory is working to save fruit and nectar bats. On an annual open house or school trips, the public can see (huge) Malayan Flying Fox or tiny Egyptian fruit bat. 1309 NW 192nd Ave, Gainesville, FL (352) 485-1250
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Wildlife Rehab of Hernando
Wildlife Rehab of Hernando started out with native animals like raccoons, possum, alligator and fox. But they were overwhelmed by the need for a sanctuary for failed exotic pets. So they've taken in lemurs, lions, kinkajou, coati, lynx, python and a wallaby from state officials that bust illegal pet owners and dealers. 360 Suncoast Blvd., Spring Hill, FL You get close to the animals in your personal visit. $17.50 for adults, $8.50 kids.
Read the AnimalTourism.com interview with founder Jimmy Jablon |
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Big Cat Rescue
An accredited animal sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue takes in abused or abandoned big cats. They are the ones who clean up the growing problem of people who try to keep exotics as pets. They're very smart about tours, with many options for close encounters with animals. The regular day tour is $20 (free if you show you've neutered your pet), $21 for a night tour, $50 for a feeding tour, $100 for an all-day tour. Private group tours, parties and wedding available, too.
12802 Easy St., Tampa, FL (813) 920-4130 |
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Hernando, Florida Budgerigar parakeets
Up to 20,000 Budgerigar parakeets, which are native to Australia, once lived in the wild in Florida, including 7,000 in one nest. Now there is only a tiny pocket left. Blogger Robert Fergus saw a few on Gulf Winds Circle, Hernando Beach. |
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Dry Tortugas National Park-Nurse Shark Mating Ground - FLORIDA KEYS
Dry Tortugas is one of the very few breeding grounds known for nurse sharks. But, it's also one of the most remote and obscure National Parks. Dry Tortugas is 70 miles from Key West. You need to take a charter or ferry and only approved companies can do wildlife tours.
Biologists have been studying the mating ground for 30 years. Some believe the tours interfere with the sharks' mating.
The park also has endangered sea turtles.
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Georgia |
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Aware One - Atlanta
Aware One takes in wildlife from around Atlanta and releases the deer, squirrel and other animals that can make it in the wild. Others that are too sick, injured or tame stay here.
You can visit for a brief tour.
4158 Klondike Rd., Lithonia, GA |
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Savannah
Manatees migrating north in the summer often visit the Savannah area's rivers and marshes. You may see them on Blackbeard Island NWR, which you can only visit by boat, or the Savannah NWR, which is on the river that borders South Carolina, or Harris Neck NWR, south of the city.
(912) 652-4415 |
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Brunswick
Brunswick, GA, has high traffic in migrating manatees in the summer, researchers found. As a result, boaters in the Golden Isles are warned to look out for them, wearing polarized sun glasses if possible. While you're there, be sure to pick up some stew.
You can also check out nearby Wolf Island NWR. |
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Kangaroo Conservation Center
Kangaroo Conservation Center has biggest collection of 'roos outside Australia. The conservation side is a little iffy, but it's fun to watch the kangaroos out in their fields or up close for handling. An hour or so north of Atlanta.
706-265-6100 222 Bailey-Waters Rd, Dawsonville, GA
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Kentucky |
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Kentucky Elk Herd
About 5,000 elk live in eastern Kentucky thanks to a reintroduction effort by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which stared in 1997 and ended in 2002.
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Land Between the Lakes Elk and Bison Prairie-KY
A piece of Land Between the Lakes became a 170,000 acre National Recreation Area in 1963. Six years later 19 buffalo were brought in from Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park in North Dakota as part of an effort to restore the prairie. Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada. In 1996 the Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada, sent 29 elk to join them.
Both animals were native to the area, but wiped out by hunting. Land Between the Lakes in turn sent elk to Cataloochee area in the North Carolina portion of the Great Smoky Mountains in 2001. The park warns that you should stay in or near your car because bison and elk sometimes charge.
Land Between the Lakes also has 150 fallow deer, the largest herd in the country. Native to Europe and Asia, the fallow deer was introduced in 1918.
In early August Land Between the Lakes has a hummingbird festival.
The Elk and Bison Prairie is near where The Trace (Rt. 453) crosses 68/80.
100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, KY, (270) 924-2000
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Louisiana |
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Morgan City Eagle Expo
Louisiana now has more than 250 bald eagle nests, mostly between the Mississippi River and the Mississippi River on the east and the Atchafalaya basin.
Each winter Morgan City hosts an Eagle Expo, which features seminars and boat tours to Atchafalaya Basin, Bayou Black, Bayou Chene and Lake Verret. |
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Yogie and Friends Cat Sanctuary
Yogie & Friends Exotic Cat Sanctuarytakes in tigers, lions, mountain lions, servals and other big cats that have survived the pet trade or animal entertainment. Near Shreveport, the sanctuary is open Saturdays April-Nov. $5, 128 Fob Lane, Frierson, LA
318-795-0455 |
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Bird Island, Audubon Park, New Orleans
Audubon Park's Bird Island, formally known as Ochsner Island is a huge roost and nesting ground for all manner of wading birds: Great, snow and cattle egrets; little blue, tri-colored, black- and yellow- crowned herons; cormorant and anhinga.
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Chimp Haven (Near Shreveport)
Chimp Haven, outside Shreveport, LA, on the TX border, takes in chimpanzees that have survived lab research, circus jobs or doomed attempts to keep them as pets.
The sanctuary, which opened in 1995, has a Discovery Day about once a month in the summer when you can visit the facility and see the chimps getting to enjoy the closest they can come to normal life. The center works with the U.S. government to retire its research chimps here on the 200-acre Eddie D. Jones Nature Park. LA-789 (Keatchie Road) and Mike Clark Road. Keithville, LA (318) 925.9575
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Shipping Canal Pink Dolphin
A pink bottlenose dolphin has been spotted about 50 times since 2007 in the shipping channel between Lake Calcasieu and Lake Charles, mainly by charter boat captain Erik Rue. NOAA says the dolphin is travelling with its mother and two others. Stay 50 yards back from pinkie--if you see her--and limit your gawking to 30 minutes, they advise. |
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Maryland |
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Assateague National Park Wild Horses - MD
The wild horses of Assateague are divided along the MD-VA state line. The lucky ones are in Maryland and the national park, which uses contraceptives to disrupt the lives of the horses the least. A friendly ranger told me that she's never known anyone to go on the island on their side and not see a horse.
The Virginia herd in Chincoteague isn't so lucky. Instead of paying taxes to support their fire department, Chincoteague rounds up their horses and auctions some off every year to raise money.
Assateague's north entrance is at the end of Route 611, eight miles south of Ocean City, MD. The south entrance is at the end of Route 175, two miles from Chincoteague, VA.
(410) 641-1441 |
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Blackwater (MD) NWR Eagle Festival
More than 150 eagles nest at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge over the winter. You may see them along Wildlife Drive. They arrive in December and build nests in loblolly pines. The chicks hatch mostly in April and fledge in June.
The annual eagle festival in mid-March, much later than most.
The Friends of Blackwater host demonstrations and walks to see eagles and other resident and migratory birds. In the winter 35,000 geese and 15,000 ducks stay at the refuge. Sika deer breed from October to December
2145 Key Wallace Dr. Cambridge, MD, (410) 228-2677
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Mississippi |
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Howl Wolf
Wolf Howl Animal Preserve is a safe haven for wolves (usually bred in other facilities) that offers private tours.
1177 State Road 355,Etta,
(662) 534-8112 |
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North Carolina |
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Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - NC
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the important re-introduction of the endangered red wolves to the east coast. The species was extinct in the wild as of 1980. This peninsula is ideal because could cut down on cross-breeding with coyotes.
You may not see a wolf, but the wildlife refuge hosts frequent howling safaris so that you can go out and hear the howls.
They also haves one of the largest populations of black bears on the east coast. As you drive west US 64 from Manteo, NC, to the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, you'll see lots of signs warning you not to feed the bear. The trailhead is on 64 four miles east of 264. (252) 473-1131
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Carolina Raptor Center - NC
The Carolina Raptor Center, just north of Charlotte, takes in 700 orphaned, injured or ill wild birds a year from the public. Two-thirds of the birds problems are caused by humans. The center houses birds that can't make it in the wild. These birds teach the public about the treatment of birds. One owl was found thrown out in a dumpster. The offspring of the eagles in the massive aviary are released to help conserve the wild population.
Demonstratons on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.$7.
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521more info »
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Carolina Tiger Rescue hopes to ensure key species survive from threatened/endangered ecosystems. The big cats--jaguars, leopards, tigers--are rescues. The smaller animals--binturongs, kinkajous, and civet--were bred there; the center was started by UNC geneticist Dr. Michael Bleyman to save lesser known keystone carnivores. The current mission "is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild...by providing rescue and lifelong sanctuary to wildcats and by educating the public about their plight in captivity and in the wild." Tours by reservation, $14-$25, special experiences $30-$50. 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, NC (919) 542-4684
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Corolla Wild Horses
The Corolla Wild Horses live on the section of the top of Bodie Island. After many horses were killed in car accidents, Corolla Wild Horse Fund
organized a move for the horses to an remote area protected by a fence.
You need a four wheel drive vehicle to drive on this part of the island. Many companies offer tours. |
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Outerbanks Shark Dives
Shipwrecks off the outer banks--known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic--attract lots of little fish, which in turn attract docile, open-mouthed sandtiger sharks. A couple companies off the islands offer diving tours of wrecks, according to Elsamodiver.
Outer Banks Diving and Olympus Dive Center offer tours
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Ocracoke Pelicans and Sort of Wild Ponies
Ocracoke Island has brown pelicans. You can see them on the ferry over from Hatteras Island or at the seafood company on Ocracoke sound, where they get extra fish. The Ocracoke Ponies, a small band of wild horses probably descended from those brought by the Spaniards, lives in an expansive pen off Rt. 12.
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Most of the spawning action with horseshoe crabs is up north in Delaware Bay. But the regular government Shallow Water Trawl Survey shows that Raleigh Bay, off Ocracoake, has the highest densities of the harbors checked on the southern coast. |
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South Carolina |
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Cape Roman NWR
Cape Roman National Wildlife Refuge's Seewee Visitor & Environmental Center used to have a captive breeding program for red wolves. The center now houses red wolves, but they don't breed anymore. The offspring have been moved to the Alligator River NWR in North Carolina. It's also a major nesting ground for endangered loggerhead turtles, threatened woodstorks and brown pelicans, oyster-catchers and other shore birds. The wildlife refuge protects the turtle eggs from predators and erosion by moving some nests. Woodstorks visit in summer and fall. Up to 3,000 brown pelicans nest here. It's the largest nesting site on the East Coast for oyster-catchers. The birds winter on ponds at Bull Island.
5821 N Highway 17,Awendaw, SC (843) 928-3368 |
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Ace Basin
In the summer some manatees migrate up to the Ernest F. Hollings Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge, which also has a gorgeous former plantation. Your best chance of seeing them is probably to take a kayak out from one of the many rental agencies. From Hwy. 17, take SC 174 and keep following signs from the wildlife refuge.
Bonus Species: Wood stork |
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Tennessee |
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Bears at Great Smoky Mt NP - TN
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the few places east of the Mississippi to easily see black bears. That's not to say it's automatic, by any means. The best chance is at the Cades Cove loop in spring to fall around dusk or dawn. Do not feed or approach the bears. From Route 321, take 73 south to Laurel Creek Road west. (865) 436-1200 |
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Dollywood
Dolly Parton's hometown theme park, has the country's biggest sanctuary for bald eagles who couldn't make it in the wild. The American Eagle Foundation runs the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary has 60 raptors. Their offspring are released to the wild, helping ensure the national bird's survival. The Sanctuary does educational demonstrations.
1020 Dollywood Ln.,
Pigeon Forge, TN
(865) 428-9488 |
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Great Smokey Mt. National Park
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is known as the Salamander Capitol of the World because 30 species of the amphibian live here. (24 don't have lungs but breathe through their skin.) Find them around water, especially under rocks and logs.
The Park is one of the few places east of the Mississippi to easily see black bears. That's not to say it's automatic, by any means. The best chance is at the Cades Cove loop in spring to fall around dusk or dawn. Do not feed or approach the bears.
A herd of elk were re-introduced in the Cataloochee Valley area of the park in 2001. Land Between the Lakes sent 27 elk the first year and 25 the next. By 2008, the population neared 100.
According to the parks service, elk can still regularly be seen in this difficult to drive to area. You also have a good chance of seeing them near the Oconaluftee Farm Museum near Cherokee, NC.
(865) 436-1200 |
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Bays Mountain Park
Bays Mountain Park rehabilitates injured wild animals and keeps the ones that wouldn't make it in the wild. Their gray wolf pack has 1.5 acres and a dedicated wolf cam. The park also takes care of otters, bobcats, raptors and snakes.
853 Bays Mountain Park Rd.,
Kingsport, TN
(423) 229-9447 |
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Nickajack Cave
Near the Nickajack Reservoir on the Tennessee River lies the Nickajack Cave, home to 60,000 gray bats.
Use the TVA boat launch off Tenn. Hwy. 156. |
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Reelfoot Lake
Reelfoot Lake State Park attracts about 200 bald eagles in the winter. The park offers telescopes, eagle boat tours and live eagle demonstrations throughout the winter.
Non-releasable eagles, hawks and owls live in cages at the park.
3120 State Route 213,
Tiptonville, TN
(731) 253-8003
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Brevard
Brevard, NC is Home of the White Squirrels. You can see them around Brevard College. |
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Texas |
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Congress Ave Bridge Bats - TX
Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge was inadvertently built as an ideal nursery for Mexican free-tailed bats. By August 1.5 million mother and pups fly out every dusk.
The Austin-American Statesman created a viewing area off their parking lot.
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Whooping Cranes at the Aransas NWR - TX
The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the winter home to the only wild flock of whooping cranes left. About 230 whooping cranes spend their summers in Wood Buffalo National Park in Saskatchewan, the spend October to May in Texas. Whooping cranes are the rarest crane and about the biggest: five feet tall, with a wingspan of eight feet. Because of hunting, feather and egg collecting and loss of habitat, the species was down to just 20 individuals by the 1940s. The USGS and Fish and Wildlife Service have been breeding the birds in captivity and introducing a second flock that winters in Florida and summers in Wisconsin. Operation Migration teaches these birds the route that they would normally learn from their parents by leading them with an ultralight aircraft.
You can see one whooping crane family from the Observation Tower near Mustang Lake. To see more you'll need to take a boat tour from Rockport.
The Refuge is between Austwell and and Rockport / Fulton. It's on FM 2040 off FM 774.
Wildlife Center (361) 286-3559
Boat Tours:
Pisces Charters – (800) 245-9324
The Skimmer – (877) 892-4737
Wharf Cat – (800) 782-2473
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In a world where dolphins are often put on display for an overly adoring public, Erv and Sonja Strong have found another way. For decades they've been getting to know the dolphins of Corpus Christi Bay.
They know 250 by sight and personality and have names for about 100. They school visitors on how to interact with the friendly dolphins and show how the dolphins that know and like them play along.
Dolphin Connection 410 N Sandpiper, Ingleside, TX (361) 776-2887
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Laguna Atascosa NWR
The last U.S. holdout of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Only about 50 of these small, spotted cats still survive in the US.
The Friends of Laguna Atascosa run an annual Ocelot Conservation Festival in February, where a captive ocelot makes an appearance.
Bonus species: Kemp’s ridley, green and loggerhead sea turtles, brown pelican, black-tailed jackrabbits, javelina, Aplomado falcon, American alligator and green jay.
22817 Ocelot Road, Los Fresnos, TX (956)748-3607
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International Exotic Feline Sanctuary
Tour the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary, which has been giving a permanent home outside Ft. Worth to bobcats, cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions (often ill-conceived pets) since 1988. As of 2011, they have 51 cats and 15 bears. The bears roam on two giant 5-acre compounds. All the animals participate in the Emotional Enrichment Program to cope with captivity. They offer weekday tours at 11 and weekend tours. 100 S Ewing St., Boyd, TX (940) 433-5091 $20/adult $10/kid. No kids under 7.
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Virginia |
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Virginia Beach Whale Watching
From December to March you might be able to see humpback and fin whales as they migrate past Chesapeake Bay. Bottlenose dolphins are around April through October. Rudee Tours
The $28 tours leave several times a day on weekends. 200 Winston Salem Ave Virginia Beach, VA (757) 425-3400 |
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West Virginia |
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West Virginia Raptor Rehab Center
The West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center right now just does educational programs on the road, but is planning to build an educational facility on Bunners Ridge outside Fairmont.
They hold frequent events in the area with live birds and accept volunteers. (304) 366-2867
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Cooper's Rock Mountain Lion Santuary
The Cooper's Rock Mountain Lion Santuary provides a permanent home to four cougars on 170 acres just outside of Morgantown, WV. You can call to set up a school or group tour.
RR 1 Box 332-K, Bruceton Mills, WV 304-379-8908
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Three Rivers Avian Center
Three Rivers Avian Center in West Virginia gives open houses the first Saturday of each summer month.
They also have many events in the area. They have treated more than 1,300 birds.
Brooks Mountain Rd., Brooks, WV
(304) 466-4683 |