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Press Release by PEOPLE FOR THAT in Non-profit
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Federal Relief Is On the Way for Human Hurricane Frances Victims. But, What About Florida`s Wildlife Victims?
View all releases by PEOPLE FOR THAT
This press release is about: wildlife, sanctuary, hurricane, frances, busch, animals, victims, emergency, injured, animal, donations
2004-09-12, PEOPLE FOR THAT - The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conversation of wild animals and natural resources. As a result of Hurricane Frances, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has suffered damage, loss of animal life, and interupption of food supply deliveries.Jupiter, FL (PRWEB) September 12, 2004 -- Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Answers the Call for Care and Shelter of Injured Wildlife; Releases Plea for Support. President Bush pledges more than $2B in relief aid to replenish Federal Emergency Management Agency funds earmarked for Florida, and relief teams are in place. More than 4,100 National Guard troops are in place, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are teaming up for relief efforts, and the Florida Department of Agriculture is providing hundreds of forestry workers to manage cleanup efforts.
In addition, more than 1.8 million ready-to-eat meals, 1.6 million gallons of water, eight million pounds of ice, and nearly one million containers of baby formula are being distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to victims of Hurricane Frances. All specifically, tagged for distribution to “human” victims.
David Hitzig, the Executive Director of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary located in Jupiter, Florida, has a few questions, “Will there be any help for wildlife victims of Hurricane Frances? How are we (Busch Wildlife Sanctuary) going to provide food for animals when our food supply is cut off – as we have no access to produce and no way to connect with our meat or fish suppliers?” Unfortunately, today, the only answers to these questions are “I just don’t know.”
The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of wild animals and natural resources. This year, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has rescued and provided free comprehensive medical and rehabilitation care to more than 4,000 animals. From bald eagles, to wood storks, sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, songbirds, squirrels, and American crocodiles – the rescue and rehab list is long and varied – even before Hurricane Frances.
Today, after the wrath of Frances, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is struggling to meet the needs for care of injured Florida wildlife. Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and host of the syndicated series Animal Adventures, reminds us that wildlife can also be victims of natural disasters. “Florida’s wildlife has been dealt a very heavy blow in the last few weeks; first, with Hurricane Charley and now, Frances. Not only have natural habitats been destroyed, but many animals have been injured and are dealing with severe problems such as seeking life’s basic necessities of shelter, food and water.”
Hitzig explains that he’s no stranger to hurricanes, “my tenure for the Sanctuary abruptly stopped in Miami after Hurricane Andrew blew through in August 1992. With such severe damage and no funding (for injured wildlife) in sight, we had no choice but to pack up, transport the Sanctuary residents and relocate to Palm Beach County.”
Since then, the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has been successful in creating a refuge in Jupiter that serves duel purposes for both wildlife and people. With Hurricane Frances on deck last week, Hitzig was certain his emergency plan was solid. “Our staff did an incredible job in preparing for Frances, managing an intense crisis situation, and working together to ensure all of our residents, both permanent and short-term, were sheltered.” Yet, Hurricane Frances’ lingering affects are now center stage. The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary serves more than five counties along Florida’s east coast, an area that is actually larger than the entire state of Connecticut.
But, even the best emergency plan cannot predict devastating damage to refrigeration equipment or the total interruption of daily operations from (food) suppliers. Damage to the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is estimated at more than $250,000, normal food reserves are usually limited to seven days, and the Sanctuary is now struggling to find other resources of food for animal patients.
Wildlife losses from Hurricane Frances include a bald eagle and a red tailed hawk. Peter W. Busch, Sanctuary Board Chairman explains, “The loss of any living creature is tragic. Both of these animals began seizuring during the height of the Hurricane, which was more than likely brought on by the Hurricane’s affect on barometric pressure. Other animals, such as panthers and otters, faired better as they were lightly sedated to safely weather the storm.”
Busch says, “Our animal cages sustained 115 mph winds and miraculously remained intact after Frances whipped through northern Palm Beach County. However, fallen trees crushed food cooling units, electricity remains absent, fuel storage is non-existent, and our communications are vastly limited. All of which makes rescue efforts for injured animals in the field nearly impossible.”
As a result, Hanna, Busch and Hitzig have teamed up to seek support from corporations, individuals and foundations (nationwide) for the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a non-profit charitable 501(c) 3 organization. Hanna explains, “Monetary and in-kind donations are needed for animal victims – just as they are needed for the human population.” Yet there is no special governmental funding for wildlife emergency management. No monies for food, water, refrigeration equipment, emergency generators, or for rebuilding an area of tranquility that was dedicated to caring for injured wildlife and educating people about environmental issues.
Yet the calls keep coming in … someone found an owl with a broken wing, a rabbit with a broken leg, an orphaned squirrel that is bleeding, and an osprey that is paralyzed. With transportation halted due to the unavailability of gas, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary officials are asking callers to drop off any animals that need care. Detailed directions to the Sanctuary are available by calling (561) 575-3399 and are detailed on the Sanctuary’s website www.buschwildlife.org.
Hanna explains, “Given the intense circumstances, at this point, monetary donations will be the most effective.” Donations are being accepted on-site, via phone or email, and by mail or express delivery to: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Project Frances, 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458. Cash, in-kind and credit card donations are all accepted and are all tax deductible.
Pictures of wild animal victims of Hurricane Frances are available upon request.
Media contact:
David Hitzig at (561) 723-1465
or
Source: PR Web™
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