Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

06/06/2026

“I’m stronger than a hurricane, wilder than a thunderstorm, I’m gonna find my way back home!”
Those lyrics fit this patient so well! This powerful osprey was found downed at a marina in Destin, and the owner immediately stepped in to secure the bird and call us. Based on the injuries, this bird had a hook removed and was left with some devastating injuries. There were large punctures and a laceration under the left wing that had exposed lots of muscle, leaving them unable to fly. After about 2 weeks of care, the wounds healed up great, and this bird was ready to rage like hurricane!
We know it’s pretty common to just remove the hook yourself if you catch a bird - but please use your best instincts; if it is a large hook, deeply embedded, near a sensitive area, or has multiple hooks, it really is best to call us first! 99% of the time, we are going to want to remove those hooks here so wounds can be immediately evaluated and treated. The kind people who removed the hook probably had no idea the bird was so injured from the removal, as it may have seemed okay at first and might have been acting quite feisty. Again, just call us so we can help before you go to remove it!

06/06/2026

🌿🦝🐢🐍
LAST CHANCE - REGISTER NOW FOR LITTLE CRITTER CAMP NEXT WEEK!
Kiddos at camp will get to spend lots of time outside on our scenic nature property, learning with and about our animal ambassadors and the environment around them. We focus on staying as screen free as possible at camp and getting our campers engaged with hands on activities, games, and crafts instead! It's a great fit for young animal and nature lovers in your life!
📝Register and learn more here: https://www.emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org/summer-camps
❓Questions? Reach out to: [email protected]

06/05/2026

‼️ TOMORROW ‼️
Fun event for families out on Pensacola Beach! Learn about local sea turtles with plenty of kid focused fun. 🐢🌊

🫧🐢We are pleased to present the tentative schedule for the Sea Turtle Baby Shower events tomorrow. Fortunately, the weather forecast indicates a favorable outlook for our outdoor activities. We anticipate a strong attendance and invite you to join us. Each booth will offer informative marine sea turtle education, music, interactive games, and additional activities. Be sure to stop by and see Dan in the Sand and a special sea turtle message. 🫧🐢

The say’a stage events will unfold as follows:
8:00 - Beach Clean up with Keep Pensacola Beautiful
9:00 - Welcome
9:30 - Sea Turtle Oath by Shelley Johnson
10:00 - The Ukuladies & Music by Bob Teague
10:30 - Story time with Dee the Frisky Mermaid
11:00 - Demonstration
11:45 - Raffle Drawing - Wrap Up

06/04/2026

2 buddies in a basket! 🧺🐾
Encouraging lots of climbing is one of the most important things we can do with our young opossums, raccoons, and squirrels. Volunteers & interns carefully craft climbing courses every day out of branches, linens, and even the random basket or handbag - whatever works! These guys will be ready for the backyard fence highway in no time.

06/04/2026

FOUND - LOST PHONE LEFT TODAY BY GUESTS!!
REACH OUT IF IT’S YOURS!

06/03/2026

Here at ECWR, having such a robust volunteer and intern program means we often get the privilege to see young minds flourish, grow, and accomplish their goals.
We have previous interns working as vets, vet techs, zookeepers, wildlife officers, wildlife biologists, and even at renowned institutions like the Smithsonian! (Hi Christine 😉 🤣)
Help us say congrats to two newly graduated ECWR interns - Dr. Pelfrey who just graduated veterinary school (and was once the volunteer who trained Michelle on her very first day!) and Riley, one of our recent vet tech interns who just graduated from the PSC tech program where students can earn clinical hours with us.
🐾 Ready to take the first steps into your wildlife career today? Apply now: emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org/intern-ecwr

05/31/2026

Next month is June which means....CAMP TIME! 🌿🦝🐢🐍
Don't forget, we've got lots of great weeks to register for in both June & July for all kinds of age groups! We have both our "Little Critter" camp program for ages 4-7 and our "Camp Crow" program for ages 8-13.
Kiddos at camp will get to spend lots of time outside on our scenic nature property, learning with and about our animal ambassadors and the environment around them. We focus on staying as screen free as possible at camp and getting our campers engaged with hands on activities, games, and crafts instead! It's a great fit for young animal and nature lovers in your life!
📝Register and learn more here: https://www.emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org/summer-camps
❓Questions? Reach out to: [email protected]

05/30/2026

The size difference between a baby crow and a baby cardinal is a little bit hilarious!
These two are kept safely apart in different incubators due to their size difference, just a quick photo of our smallest and largest baby birds together!
As you can see, they both have baby brain still - and are only focused on begging for food from bigger beings.
Crows are a bit unique in the sense that their parents tolerate shenanigans for far too long. Most baby birds are expected to be just about fully independent by the time flying starts, but crows often get to hang around with their parents into the Fall or even the next Spring after being born. I don’t know how they stand it; these baby crows are such messy and fussy eaters they look like toddlers that played in peanut butter after every feeding. 🤦🤣 It is thought that this longer parental rearing is one of the main contributors to the intelligence of crows - generational knowledge! We have both the fish crow and the American crow here in FL.

IMPORTANT ‼️ Remember to call us or a local rehabber in your area first before interfering with baby birds! Many baby birds will appear orphaned and vulnerable when fledging, but are just experiencing a natural part of their lifecycle and can be safely left alone.

05/29/2026

Missed us at Kendra Scott today? You can still shop online & donate to ECWR for the next 48hours! Enter code GIVEBACK-LMHWS on online orders this weekend and we will receive 20% of the sale, from anywhere in the world!
Dwight had a fantastic time today meeting, greeting, and helping people learn about snakes!

05/29/2026

TODAY : 1-3pm 💗🐾

Been meaning to pick up an amazing gift for that special someone in your life? Orrr maybe life has been trying you lately, and you know you deserve a special statement piece for dealing with it all...💅💍✨
You can head to Kendra Scott at the Cordova Mall this Friday to shop AND give back at the same time!
The ECWR team will be set up with information about our mission and an animal ambassador ready to meet and greet with the public from 1pm-3pm! During this event, ALL purchases made in the store will give back to ECWR! For every sale made while we are there, we get 20% back in donations!
Thank you Kendra Scott team for another awesome Kendra Gives Back Event!