The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary works under the four R’s: Rescue, Repair, Rehabilitation, and Release. Founded by zoologist Ralph Heath in 1971, this organization is the largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States. Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds and view the wild birds 365 days a year.
Not only is the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary the largest wild bird hospital in the United States, it is also considered one of the best avian rehabilitation centers in the entire world. Each year over 8,000 wild birds of more than 150 different species are brought to the center to receive help from animal professionals and over 100 volunteers. The hospital is equipped with a surgical center, emergency medical facilities, and rehabilitation areas. More than 80% of these birds that survive the first 24 hours are eventually rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Although the hope for every bird brought to the hospital is that it will be able to return to the wild someday, some sick or injured birds will never be able to do that. These birds then become permanent residents. Any offspring from birds that live at the sanctuary are released.
Over 100,000 visitors tour the center every year. Although visitors to the sanctuary are not able to see the hospitalized birds that are in acute care, they can view the rehabilitating birds and the permanent residents. 600 or so birds can be seen every day like brown pelicans, great white pelicans, egrets, herons, gulls, terns, hawks, owls, sandhill cranes, and cormorants. Guests can view bird feedings or talk with the friendly volunteers about what goes on at the sanctuary. The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, partly due because of their well-known and admired breeding program and rehabilitation techniques, has been featured in The New York Times, The Smithsonian, The Today Show, 20/20, On The Road With Charles Kuralt, and some of the permanent birds have starred in Disney films.
Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 birds that arrive at the sanctuary are sick or injured either directly or indirectly by humans. It is for this reason that the sanctuary aims to educate the public for free. The sanctuary is open for self guided tours 365 days a year from 9am to sunset and guided tours can be arranged on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2pm. The Sanctuary is wheelchair and stroller friendly. Donations are not required, in fact not a single volunteer will even ask for a donation, but it is the only way for the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary to survive. Visitors can make a small monetary donation, purchase an item from the gift shop, buy a memorial plaque that will be prominently displayed around the center, donate an item on their wish list, and/or adopt a bird.
This destination is perfect for animal lovers, bird watchers, and vacationers who come to the Tampa Bay Area. For more information or to donate go to: http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/Home_Page.html