A LABOR OF LOVE

See and learn about native Florida wildlife at Peace River Nature Center

By Heather Turk

Given that Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach boasts more than 70 parks, nature preserves and recreational areas and is surrounded by lush greenery, it should come as no surprise that the area is home to a wealth of wildlife viewing opportunities. Nevertheless, for a wildlife viewing experience unlike any other, there’s no place quite like Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC).

Tucked into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Punta Gorda’s Ponce de Leon Park, the nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation and education center not only rescues and rehabilitates native Florida wildlife, but also teaches guests how to live in harmony with nature. Just last year alone, the center treated nearly 3,000 injured animals.

Stahl said Luna is Peace River Wildlife Center’s “superstar” ambassador

PRWC’s knowledgeable volunteers are always more than happy to educate visitors on the center’s resident wildlife

treat is because of human intervention,” said Callie Stahl, PRWC’s executive director. during their visit, who can educate guests about

PRWC’s inhabitants.

Many of the animals the center treats are birds, including a series of bald eagles over the years who Stahl said “burst into flames” due to electrical wire sparks. “The first eagle we treated we named Phoenix,” Stahl recalled. “The right half of Phoenix’s body was badly burned, so we gave Phoenix a place to live and regrow its feathers. The rehabilitation process can typically take up to two years for feather regrowth, but we were able to release Phoenix after only seven months.” Aside from rehabilitating wildlife, the center takes care of more than 100 birds and mammals that couldn’t be released back into the wild due to their injuries or interactions with humans. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour to see the animals, which include ambassadors such as Luna, a rare white eastern screech owl, and Pacino, a Virginia opossum. Free guided tours of the half-acre facility are also available with one of PRWC’s knowledgeable volunteers. Stahl encourages guests to take advantage of the volunteers

In order to help even more animals in the future, PRWC will soon break ground on a 4-acre state-of-the-art facility in downtown Punta Gorda. Scheduled for completion Orion, a barred owl in 2023, PRWC’s new home will and one of PRWC’s ambassadors be the perfect place for the center to “stretch its wings,” as it will not only expand PRWC’s current resident habitats, but also welcome more native Florida species for the public’s education. Additionally, a new indoor education center with a classroom, static displays, closed circuit TVs and interactive displays will give visitors added opportunities to learn about the rescued wildlife. “When people hear these animals’ stories on why they are here and how they wouldn’t have survived without medical care, it really pulls on their heartstrings,” Stahl said. “Our goal is not only for people to see these amazing animals up close, but also for them to walk away with knowledge they didn’t come in with and hopefully pass it on to others.” prwildlife.org