The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of their opening from Friday, December 17th through Thursday, December 23rd, 2021.
The Center, previously known as the Alligator Attraction, opened its doors in December 2011. Initially consisting of a single room, it provided a place where visitors to the area could see live alligators on display. In the years since, however, it has switched its focus away from just alligators to embrace the education and conservation initiatives of its owner, Sonny Flynn.
In conjunction with the 10th Anniversary Celebration, the Center will be holding events throughout the week. Kicking it off on Friday, December 17th guests will participate in a 10th Anniversary Celebration with cake, special treats for the rescues, contests, prizes, and a special guest. The event will culminate with a 30th birthday celebration for their African spurred tortoise, Rudolph; the Center’s first rescue. Additional events will be announced throughout the week at their website, www.kissagator.com and on all social media platforms.
The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center:
The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is excited home to exotic animal surrenders & rescues but they have recently announced the arrival of several rare alligators as part of a special exhibit in cooperation with Love Reptiles. The exhibit will give guests the opportunity to not only see these extremely rare and beautiful animals, but also interact with them and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience during your visit to Destination Tampa Bay ™ at John’s Pass Village in Madeira Beach. Encompassing almost 10,000 square feet, this exotic pet rescue is currently home to almost 250 animals including lizards, turtles and tortoises, amphibians, a variety of small mammals, fresh and saltwater marine life, and of course…alligators. 90% of the animals are rescues, surrenders, or orphaned wildlife, most of whom cannot be safely returned to the wild.
Explore…Learn and Kiss a Gator at The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center !
Visitors to the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center will meet Pearl, Safari, and Journey, albino alligators; three of approximately only 100 albino alligators worldwide. Or at the other end of the spectrum, guests can see Midnight, a melanistic alligator. This type of alligator, even rarer than albinos, have an excess of pigmentation causing their skin and even their eyes to be jet black. Rarest of all, guests will meet, Sky and Horizon, piebald alligators, which exhibit mottled black and white skin patterns. Extremely rare, these are estimated to be two of less than 20 alligators worldwide with coloration of this type.
On display for the next several months at the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, guests can view these alligators as part of their general admission to the Center. Special interactions including photos or holding these animals will also be available for an additional fee.
The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is located upstairs at John’s Pass Village in Madeira Beach. Home to exotic pet surrenders and rescues, including 50 crocodilians, lizards, frogs, Sid the sloth, small mammals including 5 pigs, and aquatic…more
Located in John’s Pass Village:
This unique attraction is open from 11:00 a.m.-7 p.m. The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center is located upstairs at John’s Pass Village in Madeira Beach for tickets and more touring options visit Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center (kissagator.com)
Experience the joy of exotic animal surrenders & rescues while learning about wild places from all over the planet, right here in Pinellas County! Our animal family comes to us from various places such as SPCA, wildlife rescues, reptile rescues.
Win Four Tickets to Take the Family to the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery :
In honor of their 10th Anniversary, Destination Tampa Bay™ will be giving away sets of 4 tickets to visit the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery. Enter for a chance to win a a set of four tickets for the family. Simply fill out this brief form by clicking here to enter to win! No purchase required.
More about John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
The “Pass”, as locals refer to it, was created by a hurricane on September 27, 1848. A pirate, John Levique, made the first passage through the newly created pass. Hence the name, Johns Pass. Located on the waterfront at Johns Pass, this quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas County’s #1 tourist attraction. Over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, dolphin watching and shelling tours, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing.
The “Pass”, as locals refer to it, was created by a hurricane on September 27, 1848. A pirate, John Levique, made the first passage through the newly created pass. Hence the name, Johns Pass. Located on the waterfront at Johns Pass, this quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas County’s #1 tourist attraction. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk is home to over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, dolphin watching and shelling tours, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing. Open daily! To learn more about John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk website click Here. Visit John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk on Facebook click Here.
For other great rescue stories check out I love being a Vet– a story about someone who has done rescued many wildlife recuse in Destination Tampa Bay ™. You may also be interested in the Secrets of the Sea and Marine Discovery Center here.
Content by and photos provided for editorial use to Destination Tampa Bay™ by the The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, John’s Pass Village and Pinellas County.