Hurricanes 'a very real threat to our wild residents' - New facility sought to safeguard Peace River Wildlife Center animals during storms

PUNTA GORDA — Hurricane Ian and other recent storms caused challenges and stress in animals at the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda.

Then this week, Hurricane Helene entered the Gulf of Mexico and blew winds, rain and storm surge water into Southwest Florida while heading for landfall in Florida’s Panhandle region.

Wildlife Center officials and volunteers are obligated to move the animals, since the location is only a few feet from Charlotte Harbor and Alligator Creek.

“In our current location at Ponce Park, while evacuation provides immediate protection from storm hazards, by moving animals out of the storm’s path, it introduces substantial risks and complications,” Executive Director Tricia LaPointe said.

Peace River Wildlife Center is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education center near mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda Isles.

As storms threaten the center, the staff and volunteers have a plan to safeguard the animals.

Currently, with 80 animals onsite, the complex process requires a team of staff and experienced volunteers to load, transport, care for and then return the animals to the center.

“The evacuation process can be highly stressful for animals, leading to trauma from transport, potential health issues such as overheating and dehydration, and significant logistical challenges,” LaPointe said.

Staff and board members are raising $6 million for a new, hardened facility on city property at 900 Henry Street in Punta Gorda.

“The new buildings will be equipped with hurricane-rated windows and doors, designed to withstand extreme winds of 170 mph and flying debris associated with hurricanes,” she said.

Animals can experience separation anxiety and disruption to their social structures, which sometimes result in behavioral changes and health problems, she said.

Additionally, housing, diets and medical treatment must be managed for potential short-term offsite care, depending on the storm’s destruction and the subsequent cleanup.

“With these enhancements, the center will be able to safely house its residents on-site during hurricanes, avoiding the need for stressful and potentially harmful evacuations to distant locations,” she said. “This means that should another large storm come through our area, rather than having to evacuate our residents off site and risk injury or death due to stress, a very real threat to our wild residents, they would only need to be moved inside our buildings on site, for a severe storm.”

The benefits include continuous care with minimal disruption to routines for the animals, especially those with special needs.

Once the new building opens, the animal cages and enclosures will be upgraded with stronger materials and more secure designs to keep the wildlife safe during adverse weather conditions. The building will be 9 feet above sea level to minimize flooding.

The PRWC does not receive any federal government support. The costs to maintain educational displays and feeding almost 120 permanent residents and more than 2,500 patient admissions annually are nearly $80,000 annually.

To raise money, the center is selling $45 tickets to the What a Hoot comedy show 5 p.m. Oct. 19, at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. The $70 VIP tickets include two beverages during the show, an after-party at the Wyvern hotel, and a meet-and-greet with comedians Mark Evans and Al Ernst.

For more information on the comedy show visit https://tinyurl.com/2udvtz9w

For more information on the Peace River Wildlife Center visit www.prwildlife.org