Did you know you can encounter Australia’s national animal without traveling all the way to the Outback? In fact, you do not have to travel far from your backyard. The North Florida Wildlife Center is located just east of Tallahassee between Monticello and Perry, and they have two joeys, Irwin and Evie! The center is not only home to these adorable baby kangaroos but also to foxes, lemurs, birds, and more.
Ryan David Reines founded the North Florida Wildlife Center in 2019 with the mission of “wildlife conservation through public educational outreach, propagation of rare and endangered species, and habitat restoration efforts,” as stated on the center’s website. The center is focused on not only conserving local wildlife but also endangered species worldwide. Reines has big dreams for the center’s growth, and plans are in place for expansion to improve the current enclosures as well as create new ones.
As I toured the center with Reines, his love for the animals in his care and passion for species conservation was evident. At each enclosure, he would greet the animal and then explain that specific animal’s history that led it to the center as well as facts about its species in general. It was clear he knew each animal individually as he told me their stories. At one area with a cockatoo, he noticed a variation in its feathers that would not be obvious to the average visitor. He purposefully drew the bird’s attention with one hand to get it to cock its head and give Reines a better view of the area causing his concern. As an animal care staff member walked by, she asked if he was looking at the variation, which she had noticed earlier. Based on how they clearly made mental notes to keep an eye on him, I could see how well each creature is cared for at the center.
Animals come to live at the center through several channels, including zoo networks, wildlife rescue agencies, and pet surrender. All animals there are ones that would not thrive if released into the wild, and the hope is that the majority of them will breed at the center to increase the worldwide population of their species. Several of the birds had been injured in the wild, resulting in wing amputations or loss of vision, both of which would make them vulnerable to predators and unable to hunt in the wild. One owl, for example, was struck by a car. While he is thriving at the center, that is not always the outcome. It is important to always be vigilant of the wildlife around you, especially at night. Nocturnal animals are naturally sneaky, and owls specifically can fly by you without making a sound. If an accident occurs or you encounter an injured animal in the wild, it is important to handle the situation with care. The best course of action is to call a professional. Limit your contact with the animal as much as possible both for their safety and yours. By all means, do NOT feed wildlife. While your intentions are good, you may do more harm by trying to help. There are several local bird rehabilitation centers you can call for help. The North Florida Wildlife Center is not a rehabilitation center; rather, it partners with rehabilitation centers to provide a home for un-releasable animals that would likely be euthanized otherwise.
Enrichment activities are present according to each animal’s needs. An energetic eagle called out as we approached his enclosure, and Reines remarked, “Even birds play.” The eagle tore apart a cardboard box, clearly having a great time. A southern ground hornbill, a carnivorous forager by nature, showed off her finds, such as a stick or a piece of cardboard, as people walked past her enclosure. She clearly enjoyed the items the caregivers had provided for her. While the predatory birds practice their hunting skills on cardboard, the storks enjoy a small pond to wade through in their area. The lemurs have several platforms to explore and grooves in the walls to climb, and the foxes have platforms and ramps to climb on and take cover under. Sid the sloth’s habitat is clearly designed with his climbing in mind, and Irwin and Evie enjoy a punching bag hanging in their environment.
The center offers encounters with the kangaroo joeys, a giant anteater named Bumi, the lemurs and birds, and Sid the two-toed sloth, but they are mindful of how much attention and alone time to give each animal. For example, because sloths are mainly nocturnal, they post a sign requesting visitors be quiet around Sid’s enclosure, which is inside the gift shop where they can regulate the temperature. Their hours are set with intention, allowing the animals to have some space and time away from visitors. Likely because the staff and volunteers are conscientious with how they handle him and manage his schedule, Sid is happy to interact with the public for a bit between naps. Speaking of Sid, if you are a fan of pop culture, you will appreciate the names of some of the animals from Sid the sloth to pelicans named Nigel and Nemo and Dobby the owl.
The North Florida Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization that runs on donations, sponsorships, and ticket sales. You can find more information and schedule a guided tour on the center’s website, northfloridawildlife.org. The next time you are looking for an outing close to Tallahassee, consider learning about wildlife from the North Florida Wildlife Center. 
Kimberly McMahon
Home & Yard magazine
