Discovery Wildlife Center Destroyed By Fire Opens Temporary Home

MADEIRA BEACH, FL — After a devastating fire in July that killed 123 rescued animals, the nonprofit Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center reopened at temporary facilities Monday while it rebuilds its center in John's Pass.

About 50 rescued animals including a macaw, an Amazon blue-front parrot, Guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards, snakes, tarantulas, turtles, tortoises, scorpions, lemurs and alligators are being housed at a temporary facility at 14805 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, which is open to the public starting Monday.

Executive Director Sonny Flynn said staff and volunteers are heartbroken over the loss of the animals that perished in the fire but are heartened by the outpouring of support from the community. Not only have volunteers been helping to clear debris at the burned-out facility but have been donating funds to rebuild the center.

“We’re going to redesign it and reconfigure it to get 130 of our animals back to us," she said.

Supporters Robin and Mike Lally are raising funds through their foundation, the Forward Foundation, for the center, which is a member of the John's Pass Rescue.

Related:

• FL Wildlife Rescue Destroyed By Fire To Reopen In Original Space
• Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center Announces Major Expansion
• 127 Animals Killed In Fire At Pinellas County Wildlife Center

"Mike and I are stepping up and matching donations through our foundation, The Forward Foundation, of up to $75,000 for a total of $150,000 to aid in the rebuilding and revival of the essential wildlife sanctuary," Robin Lally said. "Today we were thrilled to match the first $28,680 of donations. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to help save this deserving and needed animal rescue."

Donations can also be made at AlligatorWildlife.com.

"Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center, along with John’s Pass Rescue, is truly blessed," Flynn said. "I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity of the Forward Foundation. Michael and Robin Lally's foundation has picked up our torch to help us continue our mission of conservation and education. Every dollar counts from now until the end of September."

Flynn said the goal is to reopen the center by Thanksgiving.

The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center, 12973 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, was home to 258 rescues, ranging from alligators, lizards, small mammals, amphibians, turtles and tortoises and other marine life. All the animals are either rescues or were relinquished by owners who found they could not care for the animals.

The fire tore through the center on July 13. Now, volunteers and nonprofit partners are helping to nurse and care for the 135 surviving animals.

Despite the center's setback following the fire, Flynn said the center was thrilled to be awarded a Bronze Flagler Award for Sustainable Tourism Marketing by Visit Florida last week for the center's commitment to promoting sustainable practices in the tourism industry.

Those wishing to help are invited to the Rebuild and Restore Charity Trivia Night to benefit the center on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Angry Pepper, 4330 Duhme Road, Madeira Beach.

The evening will include animal trivia contests with prizes, a 50-50 drawing and a raffle that includes items donated by the business community including a wine basket, two dinner tickets for a Starlight dinner cruise and a one-night stay at Barefoot Beach Club-Madeira Beach.

For tickets, click here.

The temporary facility is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $10 a person and are available online or by cash at the door. All fees from your visit go directly to the care for the 50 animals housed there.