South Florida Wildlife Center

South Florida Wildlife Center Welcome to the official page of the South Florida Wildlife Center! 💙🐢🦡🦉🦅🦇🦝🦨🐿🐍
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Founded in 1969, South Florida Wildlife Center is one of the highest-volume wildlife trauma hospital in the nation. The Center treats about 11,000 animals each year, representing more than 265 species. South Florida Wildlife Center relies on community support, including individual donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, bequests, in-kind donations and volunteer service.

06/13/2026

These are just a few of the baby birds admitted to our wildlife center so far in 2026. Every spring and summer, our team works around the clock to provide specialized care to orphaned, injured, and displaced native birds until they are ready to return to the wild.

So far this year, we’ve admitted more than 110 different species of birds- each one playing an important role in our local ecosystems. From songbirds and shorebirds to raptors and waterfowl, every patient has a story, and every successful release is a reminder of why this work matters.

Thank you for supporting wildlife rehabilitation and helping us give these young birds a second chance. If you find a baby bird that appears to be orphaned, give your local wildlife center a call before intervening! Wild nest is always best when possible!!

Earlier this year, our Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Tess McPheeters proudly represented South Florida Wildlife Center at the ...
06/12/2026

Earlier this year, our Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Tess McPheeters proudly represented South Florida Wildlife Center at the 2026 National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) Symposium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she participated in advanced veterinary continuing education and hands-on training alongside wildlife professionals from across the country.

Highlights included specialized instruction on fishing hook and line injury management and a wet lab focused on splinting techniques for raptor patients, led by Dr. McPheeters’ former mentor, Sherri Cox, President of NWRA and Medical Director of the National Wildlife Centre of Canada. The symposium also brought exciting news for the Center: South Florida Wildlife Center was awarded a research grant, secured through an application submitted by our Medical Director, Dr. Horgan, DVM, DACZM, to study the effectiveness of different antifungal medications used to treat aspergillosis in avian patients, including seabirds, eagles, and ospreys.

The conference provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, share real-world case experiences from the Center, and learn emerging best practices to support the highest standards of wildlife care and rehabilitation. The insights and research opportunities gained through this experience will help advance wildlife medicine and strengthen outcomes for the thousands of wild animals entrusted to our care each year.

When this Great Blue Heron (26-2618) arrived at the center, they were emaciated, dehydrated, weak, and suffering from a ...
06/08/2026

When this Great Blue Heron (26-2618) arrived at the center, they were emaciated, dehydrated, weak, and suffering from a severe leg wound with exposed bone. Our staff determined this injury was consistent with what could have been an encounter with discarded fishing gear.

Over the following weeks, our veterinary and rehabilitation teams provided intensive wound management, supportive care, medications, nutritional supplementation, and ultimately, a surgical intervention to close the wound and promote healing. Despite the severity of the injury, this resilient bird steadily regained strength, began flying, and successfully progressed through rehabilitation.

Today, this heron has been cleared from medical care and completed flight conditioning bringing them one step closer to returning to the wild!

Fishing line and tackle don’t just impact marine animals. Birds, mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife foraging in coastal and freshwater habitats can become victims of entanglement by improperly discarded fishing gear. Proper disposal and cleaning up even when it’s not your trash can make a lifesaving difference!

Thank you to all of our supporters who help make recoveries like this possible!

This , we’d like to extend our thanks to Cub Scout Pack 817, Plantation, FL for organizing a donation drive of our most...
06/07/2026

This , we’d like to extend our thanks to Cub Scout Pack 817, Plantation, FL for organizing a donation drive of our most needed items!

Their thoughtfulness, hard work, and generosity helps us help thousands of injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals! As a special thank you, the scouts had the opportunity to meet some of our animal ambassadors and learn more about the role wildlife rehabilitation and conservation play in our community! As a result of their donation drive, the cubs earned the ‘Scouting America Conservation Good Turn Award’ 🥇

We are so grateful for their support and dedication to helping Florida’s wildlife. Thank you, Pack 817, for making a difference for the wild patients in our care 💙

Become a Junior Wildlife Vet for a day! 🐾 Join us Saturday, June 13th!Kids ages 6–11 will dive into the exciting world o...
06/06/2026

Become a Junior Wildlife Vet for a day! 🐾 Join us Saturday, June 13th!

Kids ages 6–11 will dive into the exciting world of wildlife medicine through hands-on activities, treating their own “patients” and even meeting real wildlife up close. Learn how we rescue, rehabilitate, and protect amazing animals while having tons of fun along the way!

💚 $20 per child
🌿 Spots are limited! Sign up on our website or using the link https://tr.ee/XvOJI14821

Become a Junior Wildlife Vet for a day! 🐾 Join us Saturday, June 13th!Kids ages 6–11 will dive into the exciting world o...
06/06/2026

Become a Junior Wildlife Vet for a day! 🐾 Join us Saturday, June 13th!

Kids ages 6–11 will dive into the exciting world of wildlife medicine through hands-on activities, treating their own “patients” and even meeting real wildlife up close. Learn how we rescue, rehabilitate, and protect amazing animals while having tons of fun along the way!

💚 $20 per child
🌿 Spots are limited! Sign up on our website or using the link in our bio 🔗

06/05/2026

HAPPY FREEDOM FRIDAY!!

After 212 days of care, this Florida Softshell Turtle (25-7030) was finally released! He was originally admitted in November of 2025 after suffering a severe shell fracture. Veterinarians performed a successful shell fracture repair surgery then closely monitored the healing progress for months alongside our rehabilitation team providing enrichment, nutrition, and important upkeep of recovery spaces. Turtles have a basal metabolic rate only 10-20% of that of a similarly sized mammal because they’re ectothermic (cold-blooded). This means their healing rates are approximately 7x slower than mammals and can be largely dictated by their environment.

Every patient success story is the result of the dedicated village of wildlife professionals at our center engaging in cross-departmental collaboration! 💪🏼💙

Address

3200 SW 4th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL
33315

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19545244302

Website

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