Flooding along the Peace River has forced Jungle Doria’s Wildlife Park in Arcadia to close indefinitely and evacuate every animal. In a 10 a.m. update, park officials said the river had not yet crested and the property was already underwater. The one piece of good news: all of the animals were moved to safety.
The damage goes beyond the water itself. The park depends on daily admission and animal encounter revenue, and both stopped the moment the gates closed. Meanwhile, the costs kept going: food and specialized diets, veterinary care, temporary housing, staffing, and eventually flood recovery and repairs before the park can safely reopen. Officials say the reopening timeline won’t be known until the waters recede.
To bridge the gap, the park has launched a GoFundMe. Their message to the community: “Our animals are safe, but our little wildlife park needs your help,” adding, “We still have mouths to feed. Lots of them.” If your family has visited the park, or you just want to support a small piece of old Florida, the donation link is worth a share. Have you ever been out to Jungle Doria’s? Tell us your favorite memory in the comments.
