I do volunteer work at a wild life rehabilitation center here in Saint Johns County, FL. Any native wild animal that is hurt is brought here to be nursed back to full health and released. If they can't be released they are licenced to keep them and are used in educational programs. Right now they have 5 Bald Eagles, 4 otters, barn owns, great horned owls, screech owls, all types of hawks, sea birds and turtles. They have had bobcats, bears, skunks (no fun at all!), vultures etc. Twice a year, as a fund raiser, it is open to the public. No charge to get in but a donation is appreciated. There is NO government funding of any kind. They depend on donations and the purse of the lady that runs the place.

Today was one of the 2 days it was open to the public. So I spent the day showing people around and answering questions. Oh, almost forgot. The reason the public can't come in anytime they want is because these animals might get accustomed to people and not fear them. It was a long day and I'm hurting from being on my feet all day but what the heck, in a couple of days I'll be fine again. The best part is the kids! They get so excited!

Terry

This is a pair of real clowns! The one on the left is a Great Horned Owl that just stares at people. The one on the right is a Barn Owl and hoots all the time. In the wild the one on the left would kill and eat the other one. But someone, illegally, raised these to together as pets. Now they are inseparable buddies. They will never be released because they don't know how to hunt for food.


This is another perminate resident. He flew into something and had severe damage to one wing and will never be able to fly again. It's a Swallow-Tailed Kite. I hand feed and can hold this raptor. It has a 3'+ wing span.

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

Awesome! Very cool way to volunteer your time too. Love the owls!

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99 TJ
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The 2 owls seem to think the lady that owns the place is their mother. She can hold them and pet them. The little Barn Owl raises a ruckus when she leaves the room. The most dangerous animals that they have right now are the otters. They see someone stepping up for a look and they get noisy and want to look at the people. But, get too close and they will have part of you for lunch! They are a lot of fun to watch though.

Terry

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

Cool!! We have a large park close by that does re-abilitation and also have a small zoo of animals that can't be released. They have a few small cats, cougar, pair of eagles, variuos hawks/owls, and various snakes & reptiles. I should have stayed with what I planned in college, maybe I would be working there or the zoo.

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'99 Tahoe, 3" BL, 285/75/16's , MT II's.
'05 Liberty Sport, -wifey's
'98 Poncho Fireturd, 3.8L, .....the purple pig!

That is really awesome! Do you know if they are on the charity donation list (Combined Federal Campaign list of places eligible to receive donations)?

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2004 Renegade Light Khaki - 4" JBA Lift - Rock Lizard Products: Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, Prototype Winch-mount Front Bumper, Super Skink Sliders - All J's Super Tranny Skid II - 31" Firestone Destination AT's on Moab wheels - Cobra 75W CB w/ stock Antenna mod

[b]Retired, US Military

I'm going to be going back out in a couple of days I'll ask then. I looked on their web page and didn't see anything. Maybe I missed it: http://www.hawkewildlife.org/index.html

Terry

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

Terry, that is awesome that you gave your time to a good cause. I used to work at a vet clinic and always like to watch the birds of prey eat. We used to get white mice from a pet shop next door.

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Chris

2005 Renegade
Frankenlift
245/75/16 Goodyear MT/Rs

She buys white mice, frozen, by the hundreds. She also gets frozen chicks and the other day she got a 200lb. frozen block of some kind of little fish. She also goes through a lot of chickens, frozen and fresh. Some of the fresh chicken have to be cooked because the otters are affected by salmonella the same way we are. The vultures don't care what it is or what shape it's in! The fox eats dog food, only a certain type (not brand), and fresh meat.

Terry

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2011 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4

ooo did you say fox? is he up for adoption? that's a great way to spend your time volunteering though!

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2005
Patriot Blue
3.7L 4spd Auto
Tint
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245/75/16 BFG AT KO's
16x8 Big Hoss XD Series Rims
Limited Edition Wheel Cover
Coleman Roof Rack
3-D cell maglite and mount
Mopar Cross Rails
Ebay seat covers with jeep embroidery.
K&N air filter

That is a great way to spend your time Owls are beautiful

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One Life - Live It

Agreed. fwiw, I've always been intrigued with birds of prey.

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Illegitima Non carborundom!