Through our Wildlife Education Ambassador Program, resident animals here at SFWC play a crucial role in educating the public about their species, issues these animals face in the wild, and what we can do to help our local wildlife. Each of these non-releasable animals has a unique story that allows our Outreach and Community Services Department to inform the public on proper ways to interact with our wild neighbors. With your support, our Outreach and Education program and these incredible animals will continue to help our local wildlife STAY WILD!
Please help support our Wildlife Education Ambassador Program by symbolically adopting one of our resident animals.
Your support of our STAY WILD! Adoption Program helps to provide the best possible veterinary care, staffing, training, and husbandry, as well as enclosure upkeep for our Wildlife Education Ambassador Animals. These animals all help educate thousands of people each year about conservation, respect, and appreciation of our South Florida wildlife.
Kingsley
Florida Kingsnake
Kingsley was captive bred and sold as a juvenile but was surrendered to us by the owner due to a lack of experience in care. Since he was raised in captivity, he was not able to be released into the wild. And since the snake was in good condition and still young, the decision to keep him as a Wildlife Education Ambassador Program Animal was made.
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Lime
Eastern Box Turtle
Lime was found as a hatchling in a backyard (Georgia) and was raised indoors by inexperienced finders. After one year of being cared for, shell and limb deformities were noted before being surrendered to the local wildlife center. Due to the effect on her defensive mechanism and overall health, she was considered non-releasable and transferred to SFWC.
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Cabbage
Virginia Opoosum
Cabbage was found as an orphaned single juvenile and brought to SFWC for assessment. He came in with a healed tail injury, was anemic from all the fleas he was covered in, and was too young to have been alone without his mom. He was placed in foster care for recovery and then was chosen not to be released due to the lack of tail and for the imprinting that was done while he was being hand-reared.
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CauliFlower
Virginia Opossum
CauliFlower came to us from Orlando, FL. She had a pouch full of babies, was hit by a car, and left on the side of the road. After nearly three months in our care, her babies have gained independence and are on the road to release. Mom has healed well from her jaw fracture and tooth extractions; however, evaluations have concluded that she may have neurological issues over time and will not be suitable for release into the wild.
Unfortunately, we will never know her past, but we know she will have a great future with us. Mom, affectionately known as CauliFlower, will join our other education Virginia Opossums (Cabbage and Brussel Sprout) in telling her story and why driving carefully on the roads matters.
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Olive
Eastern Screech Owl
Olive was surrendered to a wildlife sanctuary after having been found by someone who chose to raise her for some time. Management decided to transfer her to us so we could hand rear and use her for education since she was deemed non-releasable by the initial staff involved.
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Brussel Sprout
Virginia Opoosum
Brussel Sprout was found as an orphaned single juvenile and brought to SFWC for assessment. He was raised in the nursery and then transferred to outdoor rehabilitation to prepare for release back into the wild. During rehab, it was noted his demeanor was friendlier than average and perhaps that he had imprinted on humans while at the center. He was later deemed un-releasable due to the affection shown towards people.
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Brie
Great Horned Owl
Brie is a female Great Horned Owl with a history of successful breeding. After baby season, the property owners found her on the ground injured. Thinking she had a broken wing, they transported her to CROW Clinic in Sanibel, Florida. While her wing was only bruised, clinic staff found her toe was necrotic and required amputation before the infection spread to the rest of her foot. Unfortunately, this digit is vital for grasping prey while hunting. Without it, she would not be successful in the wild. Brie has called SFWC home since June 21, 2022.
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Kiwi
Barred Owl
Kiwi is a female Barred Owl that was found caught in a fence. Concerned citizens took her to an exotic pet hospital where she was stabilized and then transferred to AWARE Wildlife Center in Lithonia, Georgia. Radiographs revealed she had a fracture in her left shoulder and elbow. While rehabilitation was attempted, unfortunately she had no use of her wing aside from aiding in balance. Kiwi has called SFWC home since November 19, 2022.
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Pumpkin
American Kestrel
Pumpkin is a female American Kestrel that was transported to the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, Florida after finders discovered her as an injured fledgling. Unfortunately, she had a compound fracture in her right wing. The injury could not be set, and the right tip of her wing had to be amputated. With the wing amputation healed, she was unable to be released into the wild and was transferred to SFWC to join the Ambassador Animal Program. Pumpkin has called SFWC home since October 8, 2022.
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Chive
Striped Skunk
Chive is a male Striped Skunk that was bred in Ohio to be a pet. Unfortunately, the owners did not have time to dedicate to him, so he was surrendered to the Florida Skunk Rescue. Chive was transferred to SFWC to join our Animal Ambassador team where he will receive specialized care and help educate the community about skunks in the wild. Chive has called SFWC home since September 15, 2022.
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Rosemary
Striped Skunk
Rosemary is a female Striped Skunk that was bred in Indiana to be a pet. Unfortunately, the owners did not have time to dedicate to her, so she was surrendered to the Florida Skunk Rescue. Rosemary was transferred to SFWC to join our Animal Ambassador team where she will receive specialized care and help educate the community about skunks in the wild. Rosemary has called SFWC home since September 15, 2022.
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Pomelo
Florida Box Turtle
Pomelo is a male Florida Box Turtle that was kept as a pet for over 15 years. Unfortunately, the owners did not have time to continue to dedicate to him, so he was surrendered to SFWC along with two of his brothers. Pomelo was kept at SFWC to join our Ambassador Animal team, where he will receive specialized care and help educate the community about reptiles in the wild. Pomelo has called SFWC home since January 30, 2023.
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As a STAY WILD! Program sponsor, you, or your gift recipient, will receive a unique STAY WILD! Adoption Packet, including
- An 8″ x 10″ photograph of your adopted animal
- A personal biography of your adopted animal and the natural history of their species
- A certificate of adoption
- An invitation to see your adopted animal at SFWC
- A tax-exempt donation receipt letter
Join our Wildlife Educators at SFWC for a private Wild Talk and learn about local wildlife and their adaptations that help them survive in this urban environment. Meet some of our Animal Ambassadors and discover their personal stories and how you can help their species!
Please email us here to book your visit.
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