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.