PUNTA GORDA — As storm surge broke through the glass door at the Peace River Wildlife hospital in Punta Gorda, the waters ripped the center’s gift shop off its foundation.
Hurricane Helene was cruel to the two Peace River Wildlife Center locations, forcing closures.
But, Hurricane Milton destroyed most of the nonprofit’s walls, cages, exhibits, merchandise, supplies, equipment and food.
Last week, a team of disaster animal rescue volunteers from zoos and aquariums traveled from Texas to demolish buildings wrecked by the back-to-back hurricanes.
They also received help from the Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota and All In Trucking & Hauling.
The Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery crew worked alongside Peace River Wildlife Executive Director Tricia LaPointe, her staff and volunteers to remove toward getting them reopened possibly later this month.
However, they may need an alternative location near Fishermen’s Village if they can’t reopen at 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway in Punta Gorda.