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
We are excited to introduce Kingsley the Kingsnake! Kingsley was born and raised in human care before being sold as a pet while still a juvenile. 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. Come meet Kingsley and learn more about the importance of wildlife conservation and the role we can all play in protecting our planet.
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Poppy
Red-footed Tortoise
We are thrilled to introduce you to Poppy, the newest member of our Ambassador Animal team at SFWC! 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. Poppy has been living with us since September 4, 2023, and we are excited to continue to watch her grow and thrive as part of our family at SFWC. Come visit us and say hello to Poppy!
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Rosemary
Striped Skunk
We are thrilled to introduce Rosemary, a female Striped Skunk. Originally bred to be a pet, Rosemary, unfortunately, found herself surrendered to the Florida Skunk Rescue due to her previous owners not being able to dedicate enough time to her. Thankfully, she has now found her forever home at SFWC, where she will receive specialized care and help educate the community about skunks in the wild. Since arriving on September 15, 2022, Rosemary has settled in nicely and is eager to meet all of our visitors. Come say hello and learn more about this fascinating species!
Adopt Me Video coming soon!
Brie
Great Horned Owl
We are excited to introduce you to Brie, a female Great Horned Owl with a remarkable journey of resilience. Brie has a history of successful breeding, but after the 2022 baby season, she was found injured on the ground. Fortunately, the property owners took her to CROW Clinic in Sanibel, Florida, where she received medical attention. Although her wing was only bruised, the staff discovered that one of her toes was necrotic and required amputation to prevent the spread of infection. This would have been a significant challenge for most birds, but it is especially difficult for raptors because they require all their toes to grasp prey while hunting. Despite the setback, Brie has shown incredible resilience and is now thriving under the care of the South Florida Wildlife Center since June 2022. We look forward to sharing her journey with you.
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Olive
Eastern Screech Owl
In 2021, Olive was transferred to SFWC from Flamingo Gardens, where she had been surrendered by someone who found her as a nestling and tried to raise her as a pet. Despite the staff's efforts to rehabilitate her, they discovered that Olive may have imprinted on her original human handlers, making her less likely to thrive if released into the wild. Imprinting is a crucial learning process for animals, and birds, in particular, visually imprint on their parents during a critical development period. After imprinting, they identify with that species for life. However, Olive has found a new home at SFWC as an Animal Ambassador, where she can educate the public about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. We are delighted to welcome Olive to our family and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our community.
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Pumpkin
American Kestrel
We are thrilled to introduce you to Pumpkin, our smallest education raptor. Pumpkin is a female American Kestrel who came to us from the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, Florida, after a serious injury left her unable to be released into the wild. Despite the setback, Pumpkin has found a new home and a new purpose at SFWC. She has been with us since October 8, 2022, and has quickly become a beloved member of our team. Pumpkin's resilience and strength are an inspiration to us all, and we are delighted to have her as an ambassador for her species. Come visit Pumpkin and learn more about the amazing work we do here at SFWC!
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Chive
Striped Skunk
We are thrilled to introduce Chive, a male Striped Skunk. Originally bred to be a pet, Chive, unfortunately, found himself surrendered to the Florida Skunk Rescue due to his previous owners not being able to dedicate enough time to him. Thankfully, he has now found his forever home at SFWC, where he will receive specialized care and help educate the community about skunks in the wild. Since arriving on September 15, 2022, Chive has settled in nicely and is eager to meet all of our visitors. Come say hello and learn more about this fascinating species!
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Kiwi
Barred Owl
We are excited to introduce you to Kiwi, a female Barred Owl who joined us at SFWC. Kiwi was rescued by concerned citizens after getting caught in a fence and was taken to an exotic pet hospital for stabilization. She was then transferred to AWARE Wildlife Center in Lithonia, Georgia, where radiographs revealed a fracture in her left shoulder and elbow. Despite rehabilitation efforts, Kiwi unfortunately has no use of her wing aside from aiding in balance. But Kiwi's journey doesn't end there. She has now found a new home at SFWC since November 19, 2022. We are committed to providing her with the highest quality care possible and helping her thrive in her new environment. We are thrilled to have her as part of our family and invite you to visit her and learn more about her story.
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Pomelo
Florida Box Turtle
We are thrilled to introduce Pomelo, a male Florida Box Turtle, as one of the members of our Ambassador Animal team at SFWC. After being kept as a pet for over 15 years, Pomelo was surrendered to us along with his two brothers due to the owners not being able to dedicate time to their care. We are happy to provide Pomelo with specialized care and a new home where he can thrive and educate our community about reptiles in the wild. Since January 30, 2023, Pomelo has been settling into his new home at SFWC, and we invite you to come and meet him!
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Goji
Red-shouldered Hawk
We are delighted to announce the arrival of Goji, our newest resident red-shouldered hawk! Goji is an adult male hawk who won our hearts with his bravery and resilience. He was found injured near Tampa, FL, and was taken in by the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary for essential care. After extensive treatment, it was discovered that Goji had a gunshot wound and fractures in both his left humerus and right femur. Despite the best efforts of the rehabbers, Goji's ability to fly was permanently impaired, making him non-releaseable. We are thrilled to provide a permanent home for Goji and give him the care and support he needs to thrive. We can't wait for you to meet Goji and learn more about this incredible bird!
Adopt Me Video coming soon!
Ramen
Ball Python
We are thrilled to announce that Ramen, a Ball Python, has joined the SFWC family as an Ambassador Animal. Ramen's journey to us began in February 2023, when he was surrendered by his previous owner, who could no longer provide him with adequate care. Now, Ramen has found a new home and a new purpose - to educate everyone about snakes and their fascinating adaptations, as well as to raise awareness about the invasive species issues in the Everglades. We can't wait for you to meet Ramen and learn from him about the important role that snakes play in our ecosystem.
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Pepper
Virginia Opossum
At SFWC, we have the privilege of caring for a variety of animals, including the incredible and resilient Pepper, a female Virginia Opossum. Unfortunately, Pepper and her babies were involved in a car accident, and while her babies were able to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, Pepper was left with a traumatic injury to her eye, which resulted in its removal. With only one eye, returning to her natural environment was not an option. Since August 6, 2023, Pepper has found a safe and loving home at SFWC, where our team of dedicated staff and volunteers have been providing her with exceptional care. Despite her challenges, Pepper has remained strong and continues to inspire us with her resilience. We are honored to have her as a part of our wildlife family and are committed to ensuring she has the best possible quality of life.
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.
