Ocala Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuaries
No traditional zoo — but Marion County offers tigers, exotic animals, and native wildlife encounters unlike anything else in Florida
By the Only In Ocala team. Updated Oct. 25, 2026, from earsinc.net, pettingzooocala.com, ocalazoo.com, Florida Division of Corporations records, Florida State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and each venue's Google Maps listing. AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing.
No Zoo in Ocala — But Here's What We Have Instead
If you've searched "zoo Ocala FL" and landed here, here's the honest answer: there is no traditional public zoo in Ocala or Marion County. But that doesn't mean you're out of options. In fact, what Ocala offers instead may be more meaningful than a conventional zoo — up-close encounters with endangered big cats, hands-on exotic animal experiences, and one of the richest native wildlife corridors in the southeastern United States.
Marion County sits at the heart of Florida's wildlife heritage. The U.S. Forest Service describes the Ocala National Forest, east of the city, as a haven for wildlife from migratory birds to manatees, with more than 600 lakes and rivers. At Silver Springs State Park, glass-bottom boats carry visitors over the clear springs to see the underwater life that lives in them. You don't need a zoo admission ticket to witness remarkable wildlife here — you just need to know where to look.
For families and visitors specifically seeking a zoo-like experience, two local facilities fill that role. EARS offers guided, look-only tours of rescued big cats, bears and primates in a sanctuary setting, and Petting Zoo Ocala delivers the hands-on, feed-the-animals experience that kids love. Our Ocala petting zoo guide compares it with two Dunnellon farms. Together, they serve families, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservation-minded visitors alike.
EARS: Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary
Over 100 Rescued Animals
Lions, tigers, cougars, bears and primates, plus smaller residents such as lemurs, foxes and a caracal. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001. No touching: guests stay at least 4 feet back.
Public Tours
First Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. $20 ages 13 and up, $12 ages 3 to 12, under 2 free, cash or check. Every visitor completes a Marion County-required membership form.
EARS Sanctuary Details
Address: 2615 E Hwy 318, Citra, FL 32113
Phone: (352) 266-2859
Tour price: $20 ages 13+ · $12 ages 3–12
Public Tours: 1st Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.
Animals at EARS
Tigers
Lions
Ligers
Leopards
Cougars
Bears
Primates
Ring-tailed lemurs
Red foxes
Petting Zoo Ocala
Located at 11150 FL-40 in Ocala, Petting Zoo Ocala combines farm animals with exotic animal encounters. Its Google listing describes farm animals, monkeys, camels and other non-native species that visitors can view, pet and feed, and the zoo says most of its animals are rescued or unwanted. Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for children 2 to 12 and free for infants 1 and under; it is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Tuesday.
11150 FL-40, Ocala, FL 34482 · (352) 300-6688
Proposed Zoo and Aquarium
A project calling itself the Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium describes a future zoo and aquarium in Ocala. As of Oct. 25, 2026, its website, ocalazoo.com, says the zoo "is under construction" and that its address "will be published closer to opening day," and it lists one-time founding memberships of $500, $1,000 and $5,000. Florida records show Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium, LLC, filed Aug. 4, 2026, and a Marion County Property Appraiser owner-name search for "OCALA ZOOLOGICAL" on Oct. 25 returned no records. It is not an open attraction and has no visiting hours.
Our article A Zoo Is Coming to Ocala? We Tried to Find It sets out what the project's own pages and public records show, what state and federal rules apply to exhibiting animals, and which public records would confirm each step.
OWLS and Owl Ocala Inc.
An earlier version of this page described OWLS (Ocala Wildlife & Land Sanctuary) as a long-running wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit. We could not confirm that such an organization operates in Marion County, so those claims have been removed. The closest match in nonprofit records is Owl Ocala Inc., an Ocala nonprofit whose GuideStar profile lists the mission "rescue care of wild animals," an IRS ruling year of 2005 and a bird sanctuary/preserve classification. The profile lists no public visiting hours, so it is not a drop-in attraction like a zoo.
Wild Animals in Ocala — No Ticket Required
Beyond dedicated animal facilities, Marion County's natural areas offer world-class wildlife viewing. Plan a family day trip to experience some of these free encounters.
Silver Springs State Park
Glass-bottom boat tours over the clear springs and the underwater life that lives in them.
Ocala National Forest
More than 600 lakes and rivers and wildlife from migratory birds to manatees, per the U.S. Forest Service.
Petting Zoo Ocala
Camels, llamas, goats and monkeys on FL-40; pet and feed the farm animals.
EARS Sanctuary
Look-only tours of rescued lions, tigers, cougars and bears in Citra on the first Saturday of each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a zoo in Ocala, FL?
There is no traditional public zoo in Ocala, Florida. Marion County has two places that fill the role. EARS (Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary) in Citra cares for over 100 rescued animals, including lions, tigers, cougars, bears and primates, and offers guided public tours on the first Saturday of each month. Petting Zoo Ocala, at 11150 FL-40, has camels, llamas, goats, monkeys and other animals that visitors can view, pet and feed.
Is a zoo and aquarium being built in Ocala?
A project called the Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium says on its website, ocalazoo.com, that it is under construction. As of Oct. 25, 2026, the site lists no address or opening date, offers founding memberships of $500, $1,000 and $5,000, and a Marion County Property Appraiser owner-name search for "OCALA ZOOLOGICAL" returned no records. Florida records list Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium, LLC, filed Aug. 4, 2026, with a principal address in Palmetto, Georgia.
What is EARS in Ocala?
EARS stands for Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 at 2615 E Hwy 318, Citra, FL 32113, in northern Marion County. It cares for over 100 rescued animals, including lions, tigers, cougars, bears and primates. Visitors may not touch any animal. Call (352) 266-2859 for details.
How do I visit EARS sanctuary in Ocala?
EARS holds public tours on the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m.; the gate opens at 9:30 a.m. Tour prices are $20 for ages 13 and up and $12 for ages 3 to 12, and children under 2 are free, paid in cash or check on arrival. Every visitor fills out a membership form required by Marion County, and tours should be reserved ahead at (352) 266-2859 or through earsinc.net. EARS recommends tours for ages 6 and up and does not allow photography on tours.
Where is Petting Zoo Ocala?
Petting Zoo Ocala is at 11150 FL-40 (West Highway 40), Ocala, FL 34482. It combines farm animals with exotic species including camels, llamas, goats and monkeys. Admission is $14 for adults, $10 for children 2 to 12 and free for infants 1 and under. It is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Tuesday. Phone: (352) 300-6688.
What animals can I see near Ocala without going to a zoo?
Marion County offers native wildlife viewing outside of any zoo setting. Silver Springs State Park runs glass-bottom boat tours that showcase the clear springs and the underwater life that lives in them. The U.S. Forest Service describes the Ocala National Forest, with more than 600 lakes and rivers, as a haven for wildlife from migratory birds to manatees.
Is OWLS (Ocala Wildlife & Land Sanctuary) open to visitors?
We could not confirm that an organization called OWLS (Ocala Wildlife & Land Sanctuary) operates in Marion County. The closest match in nonprofit records is Owl Ocala Inc., an Ocala nonprofit whose GuideStar profile lists the mission "rescue care of wild animals," an IRS ruling year of 2005 and a bird sanctuary/preserve classification. The profile lists no public visiting hours, so it is not a drop-in attraction.
Explore Animal Encounters Near Ocala
From a big-cat rescue sanctuary in Citra to glass-bottom boats on the Silver River, Marion County has wildlife experiences without a zoo ticket.