Wildlife Viewing

The subtropical climate of Southwest Florida allows for an incredible variety of wildlife such as exotic birds, alligators, manatees, and dolphins to name a few. Pick up a copy of "The Nature of Cape Coral" Wildlife Viewing Map and/or see below for a list of Cape Coral locations where wildlife can be viewed in their natural environments:

Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve: SE 23rd Terrace
As the largest nature preserve in Cape Coral, Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve encompasses 365 acres of wildness that serve as home to a variety of flora, fauna, and wildlife.

Resident Wildlife:  Wading birds, migrant songbirds, waterfowl, gopher tortoises, dolphin, various reptiles and amphibians.

Joe Coviello Park: 3514 Oasis Woods Lane
Resident Wildlife: Eagles, songbirds, woodpeckers, wood storks and other wading birds, gopher tortoises and beautiful native wildflowers.

Rotary Park Environmental Center: 5505 Rose Garden Blvd, (239) 549-4606
This park, which is set on 97 acres of natural beauty, is considered the “Great Florida Birding Site."  As part of the Florida Birding Trail, birdwatching is an extremely popular activity at Rotary Park.

Resident Wildlife: Wading birds, raptors, migrant songbirds, butterflies, foxes and other mammals.

Saratoga Lake Park: 170 SE 4th Terrace
Resident Wildlife:  Burrowing Owls

Sirenia Vista Park: Ceitus Parkway & Old Burnt Store Road
Resident Wildlife:  Manatees abundant November – February, occasionally rest of the year.

Strausser BMX Sports Complex: 1410 SW 6th Place
Resident Wildlife:  Active Bald Eagle nest

Veterans Park: 4140 Coronado Parkway
Resident Wildlife:  Burrowing Owls

Please be advised that there is proper etiquette to follow when viewing wildlife:

• Observe posted rules for safe distances while viewing wildlife.
• Getting close enough to an animal to make it react is too close, and you should back away immediately.
• You may approach as close as 20 ft to an owl’s nest, but must remain 150 ft from the eagle’s nest.
• Please DO NOT feed the wildlife!
• There are stiff penalties for wildlife harassment, especially for threatened species.
• Wildlife is best enjoyed when one is quietly observing their natural behavior.

If you are interested in helping with wildlife conservation, the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife volunteer group is great place to get involved. Please visit their website:  www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org for more information, or for more details about wildlife viewing in Cape Coral, please contact the Environmental Recreation staff at Rotary Park - (239) 549-4606.

If you encounter an issue in one of Cape Coral's parks, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department's non-emergency line at (239) 574-3223.