Welcome and Thank You for Visiting!

Who We Are:

The Florida Wild Mammal Association (FWMA) was established in 1994 to rescue, rehabilitate, and release the sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in Wakulla and the surrounding counties. The other main focus has been public education on wildlife issues.

FWMA has:

• Rescued over 7,000 mammals, birds and reptiles, over 1000 in 2007.

• Served Wakulla, Franklin, Leon, Taylor and Jefferson Counties and part of Leon County.

• Been supported 100% by donations and grants.

• Been a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

• Offered ongoing educational demonstrations for local schools.

Hot Topics:

• Top 10 Supplies Most Needed:

1. bleach

2. paper towels

3. fruit cocktail

4. birdseed & nuts

5. pelican fish (pinfish, finger mullet, thread herring, butterfish)

6. fresh fruit & vegetables

7. Pedigree wet & dry dog food

8. Friskies wet & dry cat food

9. Dawn dish liquid

10. gift cards from local grocers to give FWMA flexibility in purchasing when needed items are not on hand.

• Donate: enter any amount that you wish to give and follow the Paypal instructions.



• Blog: Judy Cooke, a dedicated volunteer with a love of wildlife and photography, keeps a very interesting photographic journal of her work at FWMA. Enjoy her journey and learn a lot about several rehabilitation cases. See her photos and commentary at www.blognow.com.au/FWMA.

FWMA Flight Pen Update

So far this year, the Florida Wild Mammal Association has taken in several Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls. Due to new regulations, FWMA has only been able to provide temporary sanctuary to these large Raptors. In order to be able to rehabilitate these and other large birds, the center is required to have a flight pen that measures a minimum of 100 feet. As you can well imagine a flight pen this size is not a cheap undertaking, and with all the other expenses incurred as a result of the fire last fall, up to this point has only been a dream for the future. But now, thanks to the generosity of a man who loved nature, the flight pen may become a reality. Please read the article below and see how one person's legacy could help Eagles, Owls, Vultures and Hawks for years to come!

Remembering our Buddy

Benjamin Franklin Page III was always known to family, friends and community as Buddy. As a fifth-generation resident of Wakulla County, Florida, he saw many changes to his beloved home. He realized that he needed to be part of safeguarding the heritage and environment that had so richly blessed his life.

Buddy was like most men and boys in the area; he enjoyed hunting, fishing and walking in the woods. A skilled swimmer and diver, Buddy had a passion for exploring and enjoying the magnificent springs of the county. Among his favorites were Wakulla, Sheppard and Magnolia. After four years of distinguished service to his country in Vietnam, he returned to Wakulla County. Although his interest in hunting had ceased, he had no shortage of pursuits. He was a man who lived life to the fullest every day. Buddy started a sawmill and blacksmith shop to make a living. Buddy knew the history, plants and animals of the county well. He made time to kayak, fish, sail, hike and bird watch. One of Buddy’s favorite birds was the belted kingfisher. When he heard the bird cry its alarming song along a peaceful county river, he would always exclaim “This is going to be a good day!”. He was just as passionate about the barred owl that made its home in our neighborhood. When it would get close to dusk, he would play the barred owl call on his tape player. A pair would soon wing their way closer to check out the intruder. They were making sure that their territory was secure from interloping owls. They would return the call. Buddy would turn to me, smile and say “This is going to be a good evening.”

Buddy’s family buried him February 2, 2008 with barred owl feathers that the birds had gifted us in our yard. We said a prayer that he would have a peaceful rest, confident in the hope that we would continue to take care of his owls.

Flight Cage Memorial to Buddy

With the dedicated partnership of the Florida Wild Mammal Association and bird-loving donors, the reality of Buddy’s compassion for our community’s Barred Owls will continue. Through generous public donations, the owl cage can be enlarged to federal regulation size. The improvement will allow the Florida Wild Mammal Association to treat community owls at FWMA and not have to send them to other parts of the state. This cage expansion will also provide for flight training for other raptors such as eagles.

We hope that you will join in Buddy’s passion to give back to a place that had given him so much. Perhaps like him, you will be gifted with the haunting retort of a barred owl as it calls “This will be a good day!”

To contribute to this project via Paypal, click on the button above under the wish list; the form on the "Become a Member/Donate" page of the website. As of April 1st, $4,000 is still needed for completion of this critical need; the target date for getting this construction started is June 1st, so any help, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.

FWMA Fire Update

The September 5, 2007 fire on the FWMA property may have totally destroyed the Beatty home (family of the director), but it did not destroy their spirit nor their dedication to helping wildlife.

Thanks to the wonderful support provided by so many generous friends, old and new, volunteers and family, the wildlife rehabilitation is back in full operation. Among those who gave of their time, talent, and treasure were: ROTC, Promised Land Ministries, Florida Wildlife Commission, Morgans Electric, Wakulla County Landfill, Keith Key Heating & Air, Howdy’s, Goose Creek Wildlife Rescue, and many others – thank you to each and every one who pitched in to make everything happen!

Donations of funds and time received from the many caring folks in the community allowed Chris Beatty and her family to repair the deer pen and build a new one, rewire the medical and baby bird rooms, purchase a freezer, water tank and pump, washer, AC unit and many other recovery tasks. Chris is extremely appreciative of everything that the kind people of the area did during this tragic time; without that help, the rehab activities could not have continued.