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 how we can 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
Meet Kingsley the Kingsnake! Kingsley was raised in human care before being sold as a pet. Unfortunately, his previous owner did not have the necessary experience to care for him properly, and he was surrendered to us in March 2021. While we would have loved to release this native species into the wild, his upbringing in captivity made that impossible. However, we are thrilled to have Kingsley join our team as an ambassador for wildlife education.
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Poppy
Red-footed Tortoise
We are thrilled to introduce you to Poppy! Poppy is a Red-footed Tortoise who was found wandering alone as a hatchling. With no owners to be found and concerns that she might be a Gopher Tortoise, Poppy was brought to SFWC for specialized care. Since then, she has become an integral part of our team and has been helping us educate the community about reptiles in the wild.
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Goji
Red-shouldered Hawk
Meet Goji, one of our three Red-shouldered Hawks! This brave adult male was found injured near Tampa, FL, and initially treated by the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary for a gunshot wound and fractures in both his left humerus and right femur. Despite their best efforts, Goji's flying ability was permanently impaired, making him non-releaseable. We are delighted to offer Goji a permanent home where he receives the care and support he needs.
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Brie
Great Horned Owl
We’re excited to introduce Brie, a female Great Horned Owl. After a successful breeding season in 2022, Brie was found injured and taken to CROW Clinic in Sanibel, Florida. Although her wing was only bruised, she required a toe amputation due to necrosis, a challenging setback for a raptor that needs all its toes for hunting. Despite this, Brie has shown incredible resilience and has been thriving at SFWC since June 2022.
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Olive
Eastern Screech Owl
In 2021, Olive joined us at SFWC after being raised as a pet from a nestling. Despite efforts to rehabilitate her, it became clear that Olive may have imprinted on her human caregivers, making her unsuitable for release into the wild. Olive now serves as an Animal Ambassador at SFWC, educating the public about wildlife protection and habitat conservation.
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Pumpkin
American Kestrel
We’re excited to introduce Pumpkin, our smallest education raptor and a female American Kestrel. Pumpkin arrived at SFWC from the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, Florida, after a serious injury made her unreleasable. Since joining us on October 8, 2022, she has become a cherished member of our team.
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Chive
Striped Skunk
We’re excited to introduce Chive, a male Striped Skunk who was originally bred as a pet but was surrendered to the Florida Skunk Rescue due to his previous owners’ time constraints. Since arriving at SFWC on September 15, 2022, Chive has found his forever home where he receives specialized care and helps educate the community about skunks.
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Kiwi
Barred Owl
We’re excited to introduce Kiwi, a female Barred Owl. Rescued after getting caught in a fence, Kiwi was stabilized at an exotic pet hospital and then transferred to AWARE Wildlife Center in Georgia, where she was found to have a fractured left shoulder and elbow. Despite rehabilitation, Kiwi has limited use of her wing, which now primarily helps with balance. Since arriving at SFWC in November 2022, Kiwi has found her forever home with us.
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Pomelo
Florida Box Turtle
We’re excited to introduce Pomelo, a male Florida Box Turtle, as a member of our Ambassador Animal team at SFWC. After being kept as a pet for over 30 years, Pomelo was surrendered with his two brothers due to his previous owners' inability to care for them. Since January 30, 2023, Pomelo has been thriving in his new home at SFWC, where he receives specialized care and helps educate the community about wild reptiles.
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Fig
Florida Box Turtle
Meet Fig, a Florida Box Turtle at SFWC. Box Turtles can close up their shells like a box for protection, but Fig’s shell deformities prevent her from doing so. She was kept as a pet for five years before being surrendered in May 2024, during which time she didn’t receive proper care. Now, Fig plays an important role in our ambassador program, educating the public about her species and the needs of reptiles.
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Ramen
Ball Python
We’re thrilled to welcome Ramen, a Ball Python, to the SFWC family as an Ambassador Animal. Surrendered in February 2023 due to his previous owner’s inability to care for him, Ramen has found a new home with us. He now serves to educate the public about snakes, their unique adaptations, and the invasive species issues in the Everglades.
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Pepper
Virginia Opossum
After a car accident left her with a traumatic eye injury and subsequent removal, Pepper could not be returned to the wild. Since joining us on August 6, 2023, Pepper has received exceptional care from our dedicated staff and volunteers. Despite her challenges, she remains strong and continues to inspire us with her resilience. We are honored to have Pepper as part of our wildlife family and are committed to ensuring she has the best quality of life.
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Kimchi
Virginia Opossum
Meet Kimchi, one of our Virginia Opossums and a key mammal ambassador at SFWC. Kimchi was found orphaned after an accident that left her with most of her tail missing, making survival in the wild impossible. She now has a permanent home at SFWC, where she helps educate the public about opossums and their ecological role.
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Cinnamon
Red-shouldered Hawk
Meet Cinnamon, one of our Red-shouldered Hawks at SFWC. She fell out of her nest as a nestling and imprinted on humans because she wasn't immediately taken to a licensed rehabilitator. This imprinting prevented her from learning essential survival skills, such as hunting and socializing. She plays an important role in our ambassador program, educating the public about her species and teaching what to do if they find an orphaned bird.
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Ginger
Red-shouldered Hawk
Meet Ginger, one of our Red-shouldered Hawks at SFWC. He was found as a nestling with a missing right eye, a fractured clavicle, and neurological symptoms. After stabilizing his condition, Ginger joined us in August 2024 and has since become a permanent resident. He plays a crucial role in our ambassador program, educating the public about his species and teaching how to handle orphaned or injured birds.
Adopt Today 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 & Tour and learn about the local wildlife and the adaptations that help them survive in this urban environment. Meet some Animal Ambassadors and discover their personal stories and how you can help their species!
This one-hour-long program will cover general information about SFWC and our work as an active wildlife hospital. Participants will have the opportunity to meet a couple of our animal ambassadors, as well as get a brief tour of our outdoor rehabilitation areas. This program is held in our open-air Education Pavilion. Because of the limited space, we can accommodate no more than 20 people at one time. Pricing for our Wild Talk & Tour is $15 per person.
Please email us here to book your visit.
