No, I'm not talking about my first day retired. Though that qualifies, this tastes sweeter.
I volunteer at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital doing things such as helping with the animals at children's parties--there is a charge to the family, bringing revenue to the center--and going to outreach functions. I love the animals and the mission of the Center. It's not really about children and visitors. It's about the animals. Rescue. Save. Return to the wild. Keep forever if necessary for the welfare of the individual critter.
I volunteer at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital doing things such as helping with the animals at children's parties--there is a charge to the family, bringing revenue to the center--and going to outreach functions. I love the animals and the mission of the Center. It's not really about children and visitors. It's about the animals. Rescue. Save. Return to the wild. Keep forever if necessary for the welfare of the individual critter.
First day of freedom! The focus for native species--such as the Florida Gopher Tortoise--is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release. Exotic species, those not native to Florida, cannot be released into the wild. Look at what the illegal python releases are doing to the Everglades. My favorite captive exotic bunny would also cause problems if he found a mate and didn't get eaten in the process. SNC has a habitat area to house exotic animals and natives unable to be released. They can live out their lives and avoid becoming part of the food chain.
The Florida Gopher Tortoise is a keystone species, meaning it is essential to the environment. They are burrowing animals and share their burrows with other animals, many of whom would die without the accommodations provided them by the Gopher Tortoise.
The Florida Gopher Tortoise is a keystone species, meaning it is essential to the environment. They are burrowing animals and share their burrows with other animals, many of whom would die without the accommodations provided them by the Gopher Tortoise.
The yellow and black baby (captured on the Internet!) eventually ends up the size of a dinner plate and living a solitary life in her/her burrow. The picture on the right is an adult living at Sandy Ridge Sanctuary.
A couple of weeks ago, I was honored to serve the SNC at the Earth Day celebration at Sandy Ridge Sanctuary. We took a modest assortment of critters for visitors to meet. Donna, the wonderful woman who runs the hospital, gave periodic talks about the animals, which I proudly displayed. One of the animals was a Gopher Tortoise.
Bruce, the tall thin man in the video, is also a volunteer, but one with longevity. It is obvious to me that he loves the tortoises. On a weekly basis, he takes them out to allow them to browse for things to eat, helping them retain their natural instincts. On this day, he asked if it were possible for our little tortoise to have his freedom. After Donna gave permission and secured agreement from the sanctuary, an abandoned burrow was located, and Bruce got his wish. I tagged along after Bruce and Donna with my iPhone capturing the moment.
Bruce, the tall thin man in the video, is also a volunteer, but one with longevity. It is obvious to me that he loves the tortoises. On a weekly basis, he takes them out to allow them to browse for things to eat, helping them retain their natural instincts. On this day, he asked if it were possible for our little tortoise to have his freedom. After Donna gave permission and secured agreement from the sanctuary, an abandoned burrow was located, and Bruce got his wish. I tagged along after Bruce and Donna with my iPhone capturing the moment.
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