Uncommon species, like the Grevy's Zebra, benefit from the space, privacy and climate at the Center.

White Oak Conservation Center is one of the world's premiere wildlife breeding, research, and training facilities. The Center, located along the St. Marys River in North Florida, spans 600 acres and is surrounded by 6,800 acres of pine and hardwood forest and wetlands.

Established in 1982 by philanthropist Howard Gilman, White Oak Conservation Center provides conservation options for the future by maintaining genetically diverse populations of threatened species in spacious, natural facilities. With a complex of research, husbandry, education and conference facilities, the Center leads professional efforts to improve veterinary care, develop holistic animal management techniques, and better understand the biology of critically endangered species.

	Florida panthers injured in the wild are rehabilitated at White Oak and conditioned for release back to the wild.

Mission Statement

White Oak Conservation Center conserves threatened and endangered species of wildlife by maintaining scientifically managed captive populations that provide opportunities for research, training, reintroduction and involvement in field conservation programs.

Strategies

• Genetically manage populations of at-risk species in captivity to preserve options for future conservation action.



• Provide exceptional care and spacious environments for animals maintained at White Oak, and its field stations, in order to produce suitable candidates for reintroduction projects.



• Undertake cooperative research that enhances the survivability of wildlife under managed conditions and in the wild.



• Provide learning and research opportunities in biological and veterinary sciences for students from around the world.



• Involve White Oak Conservation Center's animal and research programs with field conservation initiatives.



• Organize and host workshops with assistance from international associates that stress the role of metapopulation strategies in addressing conservation challenges .