North American Wildlife

The North American Wildlife section features cougars, bald eagles, and other native species that represent the diverse wildlife of the continent. The cougar habitat provides a spacious enclosure with rocky outcrops and dense vegetation that mirrors the mountainous terrain these apex predators inhabit in the wild.

Cougars once ranged across the entire Americas but have been eliminated from most of the eastern United States. Conservation efforts in Florida have helped stabilize the last remaining eastern population — the Florida panther. The exhibit educates visitors about predator-prey dynamics and the importance of apex predators in healthy ecosystems.