Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation — Attraction in Starke

While we made the best of our experience, this place was lacking in a few areas. The flyer stated that we would be provided with maps, we were not. The flyer also stated that there would be special showings for different animals. While there were showings, there was nothing given to us that stated when these showings would occur. Instead we would see a flock of people running to a particular exhibit, and that is how we knew something was taking place at the time. The staff that were stationed at random animal exhibits were of little help. We asked multiple staff members about the times of the showings and where certain exhibits were located. None of them could provide us with information. One of the staff members was carrying an animal, to what I could only assume was one of their timeless showings, and when myself and other patrons attempted to only take pictures, she was very rude and rushed us away from her. No one tried to get too close nor did any of us attempt to touch the animal. However, she acted as though we were doing something forbidden by attempting to get a picture or show our children the animal from a safe distance. The hippo exhibit was a bust, as well. Since we weren't provided with the times of any of the showings, we were unable to view the hippo. We tried to see the animal at one point, but it was so far away and hidden that it was impossible. Now had we knew the time of the showing...

My family and I drove from Jacksonville to attend the Grand Opening event, and sadly we will not make that trip again for any future events that they might hold.

*I do not see an option to reply to the owners response. If there is an option, I apologize. I will add my response to my original review.

From the owners response, I gather that had we not attended their Open House and paid more money, we may have had an entirely different experience. My apologies for mistakenly saying hippo instead of rhino because that was, after all, the real issue. As for the schedules and maps, it is funny that we were not the only ones walking around asking about them. We held conversations with many other visitors that also must have "missed" them at the entrance. Maybe for future open house events, the maps & time schedules could be handed directly to the visitors like the wrist bands were upon payment to enter. In regards to the tired animal we saw in passing, that is understandable. However, the woman's attitude is not. There were many ways that she could've responded to myself and the other guests, but she chose to go with the rude route. Thanks for your response. It has really enlightened me on why our experience went the way...

Drove 3 hrs to be told buy the girl working there the path to see the animals was pretty much flooded to ankle level and if i was ok with that i can do a walking tour but if not to come back another Saturday??? Lol thanks but no thanks i ended up at catty shack not far away which buy far was a better experience... Will not be back to carson springs!

To be clear it says online you dont need to book a tour since Saturday they have open tour at 10 am it does not say bring water boots or hey we get flooded . so how would someone know ???? i called 3 times before i even got there and no on picked up the phone. So i went since it showed online it would be open and available for walking tours.. If you guys have regular experience with flooding give your PAYING CUSTOMERS that come out of there way to experience this something to cover there shoes or some type of alternative instead of saying well u can just get mud up to your ankle or leave lol Come again next time like its ridiculous. Throw some hay down do something but don't flat out basically tell the customer oh u can deal with it or come...

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! This place gives you the feeling one looks for when one goes to the zoo, which says much more than an actual zoo visit. All the animals stood right at the fences for us to see which is much closer than you’d expect, as well as a decent amount of info on each animal along with their own stories of how they got there. Anna, our wonderful tour guide, was very patient enthusiast, and above all caring for the group and the animals. Please keep in mind this is a non-profit organization so the money you pay goes to the animals. I also can’t forget to mention Barry, the man who seemed to be the main caretaker of all the animals, was himself a spectacle to watch, for his dedication and relationship with the animals! Last of all I think it’s important for me to say that the expectation of your experience should include a decent amount of walking, a more personal experience, and a REALISTIC expectation of the number of animals you get to see/ interact with…. This isn’t Noah’s Ark. Thank you Carson springs for an...