ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s a place where the cute, the hungry, the mysterious, and smart often end up because their lives are in jeopardy. 

“We’ve been receiving squirrels, at least ten each day, since last month,” animal technician Frida Acavedo-Sanchez said.

Other animals attacked many of the squirrels brought to the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge.

“A lot of them are either cat attacks or dog attacks. So, pets that are not, like, leashed or kept inside,” Acavedo-Sanchez said.

What You Need To Know

Since 1989, the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge has rescued injured wildlife throughout Central Florida

An average of 3,000 to 4,000 annually — or 10 animals per day — are dropped off at the Orlando facility

The nonprofit rescues and rehabilitates a variety of animals, hoping to return them to the wild

The faculty is open to the public (by reservation) where guests can walk through and see many of their animal ambassadors

Every day, one after another, people drop off injured animals at the front desk of the facility needing rehabilitation. 

“But a lot of times they come in, they have injuries. And so, we have to assess the injuries that they have,” refuge executive director Debbie Helsel said.

For over 25 years, Helsel has been treating injured wildlife. 

It’s non-stop examining, moving creatures around the grounds, hand-feeding animals and making room for new patients. She said there is one reason animal injuries are not going away soon.

“We’re doing so many things to the environment that it’s making it much more difficult for them to survive,” Helsel explained.

Some 3,000 to 4,000 injured creatures end up at the refuge each year, which measures out to around 10 per day. Often, they don’t have enough cages and space for everyone.

By appointment, guests can visit the facility and get to meet some of the ambassador animals.

Those animals can’t return to the wild, and the Orlando facility gives them a permanent home.

That includes owls, foxes, bobcats and tortoises. 

Helsel hopes guests learn something about wildlife when they visit.

“The goal really is for them to be in the wild where they’re supposed to be, not in a habitat where they have to spend the rest of their life,” she said.

The nonprofit relies on donations.

Self-guided tours and guided tours are available for $10 per adult, and children under 3 are free.

Visit the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge for details.