Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida’s native wildlife and natural habitats, has seen an 8% increase in patients this year. The increase is largely attributed to baby season, with over 620 orphaned baby animals admitted from March 1 to May 31.
Baby Season Brings Influx of Orphaned Animals
Chief Executive Officer of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Amy Kight, spoke about the importance of educating the public on how to handle baby animals. ‘Oftentimes, it’s a matter of education. People just aren’t familiar with what is normal and what is not normal,’ Kight said. The sanctuary urges people to reach out to them before interfering with baby animals, as they can provide guidance on the best course of action.
The sanctuary has seen a significant number of baby animals, including barn owls, Virginia opossums, and rabbits. Kight emphasized the importance of coexisting with wildlife, saying, ‘We share our world with a lot of development that’s going on.’ The sanctuary is open seven days a week and offers environmental education and a 24-hour hotline for advice on handling wildlife.
People can visit the sanctuary to meet animals like Viho, a barn owl who was brought in after someone attempted to keep him as a pet. Viho is now being cared for at the sanctuary and serves as an example of the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
