A Non Profit Conservation Center
Frequently asked questions
Our non profit was founded by Lou Barreda in October of 2019. He graduated from FGCU in 2018 with a marketing degree. After graduation he decided to go to South Africa to attend the 16th International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium. This is an bi-annual event hosted by the International Elephant Foundation. Conservationists and researchers from around the world are invited to present their projects and research outcomes along with new technologies in the field of conservation and conflict mitigation. He learned so much and met with world leaders and top professionals in the field such as Deborah Olson who founded the International Elephant Foundation. He was so moved by what he learned there that he decided to found a non profit focused on global elephant conservation Right here in south west Florida. Then Myakka Elephant Ranch was born.
We only allow the public to help us with basic care taking at Myakka Elephant Ranch to further the education conservation process. Preparing the elephants meals, feeding and bathing are all part of their daily care. Bathing the elephants daily is a USDA Requirement. As a non profit conservation education center our elephants are ambassadors to those in the wild. They continue to help us educate people on the struggles elephants face. We ourselves as a conservation center believe that education combined with personal experience is the key to finding and creating lasting efforts to preserve these beloved threatened species. Through understanding, and the sharing of knowledge and information we believe that we can make a big difference.
Myakka Elephant Ranch currently cares for a Mainland Asian elephant and two African elephants. Our loving Asian elephant was purchased in order to retire from the entertainment industry. Our African elephants are provided residency from our partnership with Serengeti Ranch. They are currently on 30 acres spotted with lovely trees offering plenty of shade! We are proud supporters the International Elephant Foundation and the Roy Hensman Conservation and Research Unit as part of our efforts to contribute to global elephant conservation. We ourselves as a conservation center believe that education combined with personal experience is the key to finding and creating lasting efforts to preserve these beloved threatened species. Through understanding, and the sharing of knowledge and information we believe that we can make a big difference.
We are by by reservation only.
All appointments are booked with the link below.
We are located in Myakka City, just inland from Sarasota and approximately one hour south of Tampa.
Address:
4450 Verna Bethany Rd
Myakka City, FL 34251
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
We are open five days a week; however, as a reservation-only facility, our operating days may vary each week.
If you call and we’re unable to answer, please feel free to leave a voicemail or reach out via email or text message. We will return your message as soon as possible.
WhatsApp is also available for your convenience.
*For rescheduling requests, please be sure to contact us at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled experience. Requests may be submitted by phone, text, or email.
We do require each person inside the facility to book and purchase an encounter through our website. This process ensures that all participants have properly signed all waivers and forms. Through bookings and donations we are able to not only care for our herd here, but also provide free education programs through schools and offer community outreach programs. In addition we are partnered with the International Elephant Foundation, to whom we heavily donate and engage in conservation efforts around the globe.
As no spectators are allowed during our experiences, those without a ticket or with a ticket scheduled for a different time will be asked to wait in their vehicles.
Myakka Elephant Ranch is a nonprofit conservation and education center dedicated to providing meaningful, ethical elephant experiences.
All reservations are nonrefundable. To reschedule your experience, we require at least 72 hours’ notice prior to your scheduled visit.
Once the 72-hour rescheduling window has passed, your payment will be converted into a tax-deductible donation to support our animals and mission, and the reservation will no longer be eligible for rescheduling.
If you need to reschedule outside of office hours or on a day we are closed, please leave a voicemail, send a text message, or email us. Your request must be time-stamped at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled experience to qualify.
Our Elephant Experiences are extremely popular can often book out a couple of weeks to 3 months in advance.
If you notice that upcoming weeks or months on the calendar are completely grayed out, it means those experiences are currently sold out. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred date.
We do not maintain an open waitlist. Our waitlist is reserved exclusively for guests who already have existing reservations and is used only for upgrades, rescheduling, or adding additional spots to a current booking.
If you do not yet have a reservation, we recommend checking our website regularly. In the event of cancellations, and if no current waitlisted guests claim the availability, those openings will be released back online for public booking.
At this time the main volunteer roles we have are helping us spread the word about the need for elephant conservation. After that we are working on forming committees for the different fundraising projects we need to accomplish. We are also creating an education committee. Currently working with educators in our community to create curriculums and lesson plans appropriate for grades K-12. Our hope is to expand our educational programs into schools. These lesson plans will also be available for teachers teaching remotely and for parents teaching at home to download and utilize. We believe that educating future generations is of paramount importance to the stability and growth of all elephant species.
Elephants are highly dependent on water, not only for drinking but also for their skin and general hygiene. All elephants in the United States are govened under USDA and bathing them dailly is actually a USDA requirement. Wild elephants will enjoy daily bath if it is at all possible. Elephants daily shower is for more then fun it’s fundamental for their skincare and helps in moisturizing their skin. Its not only physically important, it’s also important for their mental well being.
Myakka Elephant Ranch is a 501(c)3 non profit conservation education center. There is no resale of any tickets purchased. Reservation must be under the card holders name. If a 3rd Party site completes a booking it will be refunded with the exception of $100.00 penalty fee.
The Rise and Shine is the most intimate hands on experience limited to 8-10 people. Where the spa enrichment is up to 25 and additional people join in for the educational experience. In the Rise and Shine you help prepare the elephant's meal, feed them, get one one one time, and aid in washing one Asian elephant in 1 hour. Where the Spa is going to be 2 hours total with much more observation time while 25 people helping wash the elephants. Then it includes the educational experience. The VIP is much more hands on the spa is longer observation time.
Myakka Elephant Ranch currently has one of the largest elephant habitat in the United States today. We are always striving to continue to grow their area. Currently they are on 30 acres spotted with lovely trees offering plenty of shade. The 80,000 gallon watering hole is one of their favorite spots on hot days. Mudding areas, and sand domes are included in their area with enrichment toys. The large trees and logs provide great natural enrichment as well.
Yes. We are currently accepting reservations 3–4 months in advance. Additional months are released at the beginning of each month.
For the most up-to-date booking window, please refer to the notice at the top of our website, which indicates how far in advance our calendar is currently open.
The closest we recommend would be the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Bradenton- Lakewood Ranch FL 5610 Manor Hill Lane Bradenton Fl 34203
A little bit further but a great area to stay is the UTC (University Town Center Area) off exit 217 it is near plenty of restaurants and shopping.
Our conservation center is fully handicap accessible, and we have welcomed many participants using walkers, canes, wheelchairs, scooters, and prosthetics.
The facility features concrete and rubber flooring for stable and easy navigation. Please note that our parking lot consists of shell and grass; therefore, if needed, guests may be dropped off directly at the entrance for added convenience and easier access.
If you are coming to the VIP or Spa Encounter please wear closed toed shoes. HEAT ADVISORY PLEASE WEAR WEATHER APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AS WE ARE AN OPEN AIR FACILITY.
WE RECOMMEND YOU BRING WATER AND STAY HYDRATED. WE ALSO HAVE DRINKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE