Forest Animal Rescue has been working tirelessly for the benefit of ALL wild animals since 1998. In those 26 years, we have always remained flexible to meet the demands for where we are needed most.

The area of highest demand this year is the need for protected land for native wildlife. When an injured or orphaned wild animal is rehabilitated, wildlife rehabilitators are supposed to release the animals back where they were found. The biggest obstacle is that many of these animals are increasingly found on development sites and in other construction areas. They can’t go back there! 

Since the rehabilitators are not allowed to release the animals on public land, they require private land with proper native vegetation for cover and food, absent of human activity.

That’s where Forest Animal Rescue comes in. While the only animals that we rehabilitate ourselves are black bears (and they are released only by government authorities), for 26 years we have provided safe space for all sorts of native animals to be released back into the wild after being rehabilitated by other professionals. With the increasing demand, we have expanded our habitat protection program.

Habitat restoration is underway on another 20-acre piece of land, surrounded by the Ocala National Forest, where native animals can be safely released. It is a LOT of work to purchase land and restore the habitat, but this heavily wooded property will be perfect when we are finished removing the wrong vegetation and replanting proper native cover and food for wildlife.

We are continually releasing native animals on a few properties that we own and protect, but we are actively adding more land to our program so it will remain protected and we can use it to help even more animals.

Each year, on April 17th, International Bat Appreciation Day reminds us of the roles bats play in our daily lives. April is also the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are beginning to emerge from hibernation. The observance is an excellent time to learn about the role bats play in nature.

Most bats in the US are considered “insectivorous” creatures. They rid our world of many annoying insects. In one hour, a bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes.

Many people are unaware that over 500 plant species rely on bats to pollinate their flowers, including species of mango, banana, durian, guava and agave (used to make tequila). Both insectivorous and frugivorous (fruit-eating) bats are pollinators. So, next time you drink some tequila or eat a mango, say thanks to the bats! The pollination of plants by bats is called chiropterophily.