This location center was very different from the rest of the field trips we’ve experienced. This was more of a wildlife hospital where professional vegetarians nurture injured and abused wildlife back health and set them back into the wild. The executive director of the Wildlife Center, Sherry Schlueter, was a very compelling woman who knew what she wanted and went for it. She told us of her early love for animals and how she was always the child that would save the animals and care for them. Her love and admiration for animals grew into something greater when she started volunteering at the wildlife center. I found it very interesting how she become a police woman in order to later become part of the wildlife animal protective service. She made very strong points stating how the relationship of neglect and cruelty towards animals connects with criminal activity in society. Sometimes humans can be “monsters” and do horrible things to animals. Animal cruelty should be taken seriously because those offenses against those creatures can cross over into human cruelty and even relate to child neglect. 
I enjoyed visiting this location because of the variety of animals I was able to view. Most of the animals were in captivity being nurtured back into health. Among the animals observed, were baby woodpeckers, native bats, various owls, and different types of shore birds. I also found it very interesting how the educational tools were accessible with the x-ray’s of the animals and the operating tables. Among the flora species that were observed around the facility were invasive Australian pines, cabbage palms, Indian blankets and fire bush. 
It was a good idea that they did not name any of the animals so they did not form an attachment to them. After taking in about 12,000 animals a year, their goal is to “treat and release” hoping not to keep the animals in captivity too long. The Director mentioned that she is trying to keep the “wild life wild.” Following this ideology, the Director believes that after treating each animal, nature should run its course.
List of Flora Species:
Australian Pine (Invasive species)
Corral Bean
Fire bush
Indian Blanket
Cabbage Palm
Gumbo Limbo
List of Fauna Species:
Opossum
Woodpecker
Native Florida Bat
Cormorant
Shore Birds
American Coot
Pot bellied pig
Blue jays bird
Barn Owl
Morning Dove Birds
Scarlet Macaw Parrot
Pelicans
Pot Bellied Pig
Bluejay
Katherine with St. Francis
Gumbo Limbo
Mourning Birds
Indian Blanket Flower
Opossum
Newborn Woodpeckers
No comments:
Post a Comment