Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is located 20 miles east of Naples at the northwest corner of the intersection of I-75 and State Road 29 (I-75 exit 80).The refuge consists of 26,400 acres and is located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin, encompassing the northern reach of the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest cypress strand in the Big Cypress swamp. In addition to the 5 to 11 panthers that den, hunt and roam the refuge each month, numerous other wildlife also call the Refuge home, including black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, Big Cypress fox squirrels, alligators, armadillos and wood stork. Over 120 birds species of birds have been seen in the refuge and over 60 are permanent residents year round. Rare orchids and bromeliads are found throughout the Refuge.