Related video: Gatorland Global on a mission to protect, conserve and educate
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As Jamaica and other Caribbean islands begin to recover from the devastating Hurricane Melissa, one Florida organization is lending a hand to two animal shelters.
Gatorland, the alligator-themed park in Orlando, and Gatorland Global, the organization’s nonprofit conservation arm, are launching an emergency relief fund to help the center continue operations as it recovers from the storm.
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Amity Hull’s Holland Bay Crocodile Sanctuary and Kingston’s Hope Zoo Conservation Foundation were not in Melissa’s direct path, but most of the island nation was hit by torrential rain, high winds and power outages.
“We are honored to help our friends at Kingston Hope Zoo and Holland Bay Crocodile Sanctuary, who desperately need our help to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa,” said Mark McHugh, Gatorland President and CEO. “We will be with them every step of the way as they rebuild their severely damaged facility and continue their preservation and restoration goals that closely align with our mission at Gatorland Global.”
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Hope Zoo is a nonprofit zoo and wildlife rehabilitation center that is home to a variety of species including alligators, snakes, turtles, birds, and other native animals. They posted several updates on their Instagram page, confirming that all animals and staff were safe, and thanking University of the West Indies students who volunteered to help clean up.
Holland Bay Crocodile Sanctuary is home to Jamaica’s endangered American crocodile. The center focuses on nursing injured or sick crocodiles back to health and raising young to support wild populations.
Gatorland said 100% of donations will go toward rebuilding and restoring enclosures and habitats, funding animal care, and providing water and humanitarian aid to local communities.
You can donate to the Emergency Relief Fund here.
