Conservation - Blog Posts
What is a Native Species?
Here in Florida, we are privy to a ton of unique and exciting wildlife due to our proximity to two very important natural features: The Everglades and the ocean. These two exciting ecosystems provide us with animals like Key Deer, the Everglades Snail Kite, and the Florida Panther that may not be found elsewhere in the world.
Any ecosystem or habitat in the world has native species. This means that the species arrived and has evolved in an area by only natural processes. Other species in the ecosystem often evolved together and adapt to sharing an environment. For example, Florida Panthers and deer have adapted to sharing an environment together despite one being predator and the other being prey. It is a relationship they share and rely on to keep each other’s populations in check.
Unfortunately, not every animal we see in the wild is meant to be here. Take, for example, the Burmese Python in the Everglades.
An introduced species like the Burmese Python could affect the environment is several ways. They could adapt poorly in the new environment and perish, they could live within their new home and cause no major harm, or they could thrive with the lack of natural predators and outcompete native species. That scenario could mean that they could take the food, water, space, and other resources that would typically go to native animals. This would disrupt the natural balance in the ecosystem that has evolved over time. When this happens, the non-native species becomes invasive.
Wildlife hospitals like the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital (SNC) take in and treat native wildlife, but it is illegal for the SNC and anyone else in the State of Florida to release non-native species into the local ecosystem. That means, the SNC can only admit injured or orphaned native animals for rehabilitation and release. Unfortunately, any non-native animal that might come our way would legally have to be euthanized or provided a forever home. Since we cannot always guarantee the space for all non-native animals and do not prefer to euthanize a healthy animal, we encourage finding other places that are specifically meant for taking in and sheltering non-native species.
Turtles lay their eggs on land before leaving them to hatch on their own. The babies are instinctually drawn towards water. These guys hatched on SNC grounds quite a bit away from the nearest freshwater habitat, so we gathered them up and helped them on their way. This increased their chances of survival as they didn't have to fend off hungry birds during the long walk to safety.
Caterpillars are juvenile butterflies and they are awfully hungry. These little guys are going to one day turn into Monarch Butterflies. Until then, they'll be in the SNC's caterpillar home before being released into our butterfly gardens.
Raccoons like the pool to cool off, but they also use it to wash their hands and food.
Our resident red rat snake has been with us for quite a few years now. He was brought to the SNC because he has a chronic neurological disease that prevents him from surviving on his own in the wild. The typical life span of red rat snakes in the wild is six to eight years. However, because this guy is getting a high grade diet and medical care, his lifespan is expected to be extended.
As of September, the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital has treated over 800 wild animals. This is a 20% increase from last year’s total intakes. While we can’t be completely sure, we assume the increase is due to other local nature centers and wildlife hospitals closing down and redirecting traffic to us, as well as COVID-19 causing more people to stay close to home.
The more time people spend at home, the more time they have to notice all the native wildlife running around their backyards.
Bees are necessary pollinators for our natural environment. Without them, majority of the plants we that produce oxygen we need to breathe wouldn’t be able to survive. A world without bees is no world indeed.
As part of our efforts to help slow the alarming rate at which bees are dying out, the Sawgrass Nature Center is 4.5 acres of nationally certified wildlife habitat. Part of that means we host many pollinator gardens. We even have our own apiary.
Check out how you can turn your backyard into a certified wildlife habitat here: https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife/certify
And stay updated with our social media to learn more about the SNC’s own beehives and gardens.
Ocean Conservation Organizations: Help Save The Oceans & And Its Babies
Oceana:
A non-profit ocean conservation organization that focuses on influencing policy decisions on the national level to preserve and restore our oceans.
Shark Angels:
An organization focused on the conservation of sharks and using technology, education, media and local campaigns to conserve the oceans shark population.
Shark Savers:
Focuses on ending the slaughter of sharks and manta rays. They aim to motivate the end of shark fin soup and the consumption of sharks. They also work to create shark sanctuaries in different locations.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society:
Sea Shepherd is well known for many things. One being their on going campaign against the dolphin hunts in Taiji and chasing Japanese whalers out of whale sanctuaries. They also have campaigns to vault poaching in Guatemala and advocating a ban on the West Australian shark cull.
Ocean Preservation Society:
They use cinematography to expose crimes against the environment and its creatures.
American Cetacean Society:
Their mission is to protect the habitats of whales, dolphins, and porpoises through public education and outreach programs.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation:
An organization devoted to the well being of both wild and captive cetaceans. They campaign for the end to the trade of captive cetaceans.
Project AWARE Foundation:
A non profit organization that works with scuba divers in 182 countries to implement lasting change in two core areas of shark conservation and marine litter.
Ocean Conservancy:
A non profit environmental advocacy group that helps formulate ocean policy at the federal and state levels based on peer review science.
Coral Reef Alliance:
A non profit organization aiming to save the world coral reefs.
Our oceans and its creatures are in danger and it is up to us to save them both. Let’s work together to save our oceans and it’s precious babies.
#Repost @natgeo with @repostapp ・・・ Photo by @christianziegler. Rocket chicken… an 8-month-old cassowary chick runs through the Queensland rainforest to find freshly fallen fruit, they hear the fruit falling to the ground and race to find it. @natgeocreative #rainforest #conservation #queensland #australia #conservation
Meet the cacomistle, a nocturnal acrobat of the forests! 🌙🌿 This elusive little mammal is a cousin of raccoons, sporting big curious eyes and a striped tail that would make a fashion model jealous. It can climb like a pro and twist its ankles 180 degrees to scamper down trees headfirst—because why take the normal route? 🤸♂️
Process here
A tribute to the Tiger Each tiger subspecies tells a story—of strength, beauty, and survival. This illustration captures them all in fine detail, alongside their distribution, conservation status, and classification. Printed on museum-quality cotton rag paper with archival inks, it’s made to last—just like the tiger’s legacy. Available in multiple sizes and ready to travel anywhere. 🔗 Here
New species unveiled: The Javan Leopard. To receive the infographic, subscribe to the club. Link here: Unveiling Club
Infographic here: https://www.instagram.com/species_of_the_world/
The Irrawaddy Dolphin. One of the aspects I enjoy most about this project is the opportunity to learn as I work. Before getting involved with dolphins, I had no idea how many different species existed. Now, each time I work with them, I’m struck by the incredible diversity in their shapes and behaviors. This experience also highlights how much there is still to discover about them. Despite feeling a sense of familiarity with dolphins, the extent of the unknown is astonishing, and it amazes me how little we know about many of them. Join the club here: https://payhip.com/b/ZYD1O
Introducing the Alpaca: a new release coming soon to my club. The animal with the best quality wool in the world where are the indigenous people from Peru who fairly enough have the monopoly of the business. In other words, no other big company has taken over. Peruvians protect, as other countries do, what belongs to them. Awesome! Check out more about this animal in my club. Become a member here: Un/Vei/Ling the largest Mammal encyclopedia in the making.
Introducing the new Mammal Info Sheets. By joining the club, every week you will receive a PDF with exclusive information sheets about the animal I illustrate! You can learn facts and valuable insights about mammals from around the globe, stay informed about endangered species, and meet new ones. This week: the Numbat!
Here is the link to the club if you want to join:
Please share if you know someone who might be interested. Thank you!
