A Year After Two Hurricanes Hit, A Wildlife Rehab Center Demonstrates Its Resilience

Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC)—a wildlife rehabilitation and education center in Punta Gorda, FL—was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton last fall. Both storms caused unprecedented flooding and extensive damage. 

Photo courtesy of Peace River Wildlife Center

PRWC lost nearly everything in their wildlife rehab hospital and most of the equipment and buildings in their exhibit facility. The damage to PRWC’s exhibit facility was so extensive it was closed for months while the animals’ habitats were restored and alternative buildings were obtained. The animals were evacuated before the hurricanes hit. 

PRWC requested assistance from ZDR3, which deployed multiple disaster response teams to assess needs, conduct repairs and clean-up, and demolish portions of the facility that were unsalvageable. Helping PRWC was a labor of love for  ZDR3 Network responders, including those from Fort Worth Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, Zoofari Parks, Keystone Safari/Living Treasures Wild Animal Parks, Big Cat Habitat, Garden Bros Circus, Wildlife Center of Virginia and Endangered Primate Foundation.

ZDR3 Network responders brought in heavy equipment to dismantle and remove irreparable habitats, which was an essential first step in PRWC’s recovery. Photo by ZDR3

Getting PRWC’s wildlife rehab hospital operational was their highest priority, which required replacing specialty medical equipment and supplies. PRWC Executive Director Tricia LaPointe says that generous donations allowed them to reopen the hospital less than a month after they were forced to close. “One of the best things about this field is the camaraderie of the participants whether they are two miles down the road or many states away.”

To prepare for the 2025 Atlantic storm season, PRWC staff met to discuss what they did right last year, and where they could improve. “We had our animal evacuation process down,” says Tricia. “But what we needed to include after last year's storms were what supplies, equipment, and food would need to be evacuated from the facilities if we were not able to come back for a few days or a few months.”

In 2026, the PRWC education center will be moving from its waterfront location to downtown Punta Gorda, a plan already in place before last year’s storm season began. All of the buildings and animal habitats are being constructed to withstand greater impact. “Our goal is also to limit the need to evacuate our animals off-site, cutting down on potential stress to them,” Tricia explains.

Rendering of Peace River Wildlife Center’s new education center, currently under construction in downtown Punta Gorda, courtesy of PRWC

Rendering of Peace River Wildlife Center’s new pelican habitat, courtesy of PRWC.

Responding to disasters is not ZDR3’s sole focus; we also work with facilities on planning and preparedness. We are impressed with PRWC’s strategic plans to ensure future resilience in the face of increasingly intense storms—and we’re proud that PRWC staff is motivated to participate in a future response, assisting other wildlife rehab facilities in need. 

Learn more about PRWC’s new education center.

We are Stronger Together

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