LOXAHATCHEE GROVES ZOO FIELD GUIDE
Behind the Bars: A Keeper’s Pass into the World of Small Wild Cats in Loxahatchee Groves
A three-hour, hands-on session with a Panther Ridge Conservation Center keeper that walks participants through diet prep, cleaning, and enrichment for Caracal, Ocelot, Serval, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard species.
Behind the Bars: A Keeper’s Pass into the World of Small Wild Cats in Loxahatchee Groves.
Experience an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the care of smaller wild cats—Caracal, Serval, Ocelot, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard—by joining a keeper for a guided, hands-on session that covers species profiles, diet preparation, enclosure cleaning and the creation of enrichment items, all designed to keep both visitors and cats safe.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A focused roster of smaller wild felids
The experience centers on smaller wild cat species — Caracal, Serval, Ocelot, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard — giving participants a concentrated look at these less-common felids and their individual personalities.
Hands-on keeper duties without contact
Under keeper supervision you assist with practical tasks: enclosure cleaning, diet preparation and building enrichment items — active work that shows what daily husbandry requires while maintaining strict safety protocols.
Small, exclusive groups and interpretive time
The program is intentionally limited and interpretive: sessions are for a maximum of two participants and include direct keeper interaction and instruction, providing a rare behind-the-scenes perspective without permitting physical contact with the animals.
What the day feels like
What the small-cat keeper experience feels like
Over three hours you travel with a Panther Ridge Conservation Center keeper through the routines that sustain small wild cats: introductions to species and personalities, practical demonstrations of feeding and cleaning, and a hands-on session building enrichment. The format is intimate and instructional — focused on learning by doing while preserving the well-being of both participants and the animals.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should skip it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The operator does not list specialized equipment; participants should follow keeper guidance during hands-on tasks and arrive prepared for light physical activity and outdoor work.
Rate for the experience is $250; bookings are limited to a maximum of two participants per session.
The scheduled session length is three hours.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Small Cat Experience?
The experience lasts 3 hours.
How much does the program cost?
The rate is $250.
What species are included?
The session includes Caracal, Serval, Ocelot, Fishing Cat and Clouded Leopard.
Is physical contact with the cats allowed?
No — for the safety of visitors and cats there is no physical contact at any point.
Are there age or group size restrictions?
Participants must be at least 16 years old and each session is limited to a maximum of two people.
What activities will I do during the experience?
You will join a keeper to learn about individual cat personalities and species information, assist with cleaning and diet preparation, and create an enrichment item for a chosen cat.