The Ark Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation property in St. Augustine is home to many birds and seeks help to keep up the cause.
Pelicans, seagulls, ducks are some of the birds getting nursed back to health by volunteers.
Volunteer Valerie Hale said the organization has taken in many birds for the winter who were hurt or exhausted from migratory season. “A lot of times we get (the birds) from the beach. But if not for an injury, they’re just out of gas,” Hale said.
“A lot of the birds we get are thin and down this time of year because the migration is really stressful. They can lose like 40 percent of their body weight in migration,” volunteer Karen Lynch said.
During this migratory season, the organization has taken in 989 birds and nearly 1,600 different animals total.
Hale said that as a nonprofit relying on donations from the community, it gets expensive. “We’ve basically reached into our own pockets for food and formula and insects for birds,” she said.
Hale said the organization is preparing for baby squirrel and opossum season. “We figure this upcoming year it’s going to cost $70,000 to care for 2017’s wildlife needs,” Hale said.
She said that includes food formula and medical expenses.
Visit the organization's official website or Facebook page to learn how you can help.