Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
The Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is helping to make sure the wildlife of the park are taken care of, especially if a storm comes.
Thanks to local volunteers in the park's citizen support organization, the park streamlined the evacuation process for the park’s non-releasable captive wildlife. The relocation of captive predators, such as alligators, Florida black bears and Florida panthers, can be challenging and requires special equipment.
The Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park raised over $35,000 and purchased seven transport crates. The rangers conditioned the animals to voluntarily enter the crates, which improves safety for the staff and a quicker response to weather threats but puts less stress on the animals during relocation.