Look Who’s Coming to Dinner…

It is no wonder that people from all over the world flock to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. While each of Florida’s 161 award-winning state parks has something unique to offer guests, it is Homosassa’s finned, feathered and four-legged residents that continue to attract more than 325,000 two-legged visitors annually.

Soon two members of one of Florida’s rarest species, the red wolf, will join resident wildlife. Eventually, if all goes according to plans, an additional trio will be added as part a captive breeding program to help reestablish the red wolf back into the wild.

After becoming extinct in the wild during the 1980s due to loss of natural habitat and hunting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s captive breeding program that began in the 1970s has successfully introduced more than 100 red wolves back into the wild.

Another park resident that is always a crowd-pleaser for visitors, young and old, is the beloved West Indian manatee. Attracted to the constant and comfortable 72 degree temperature the springs provide, as many as 400 of the gentle giants have been recorded in and around the springs and Crystal River waters when temperatures dip during the winter months.

Two captive whooping cranes, Peepers and Rocky, continue to delight visitors who are also impressed by the park’s vibrant flamingoes and dazzling roseate spoonbills.

During warmer months, visitors can enjoy the antics of a number of other wildlife housed in the park. One rather unique opportunity is watching ...more