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Visiting Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge

Visiting Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge was something I always meant to do, but never got around to it. Living in Miami, you’ll occasionally see the signs and make a mental note to come back one day. 

I’m writing this blog because I finally visited, and I ended up becoming a volunteer! (I did eventually have to go back to college so I wasn’t able to volunteer for very long, but I had a great experience, and here’s more about it…)

One morning while in Miami, I hopped in the car and headed south  towards the Everglades, to Robert Is Here fruit stand in Homestead. I’ve visited Robert’s before, but it’s been a long time and the craving set in. 

Countless types of milkshakes listed on the handwritten menu above… but my heart was set on strawberry. There’s always a line, but I put my order in and went shopping among all the local fruits and veggies waiting for my number to be called.

I wanted a strawberry milkshake and ended up in love with a lemur

My strawberry milkshake didn’t disappoint. Just as heavenly as I remembered. In my humble opinion, BEST IN THE WORLD strawberry milkshake. 

While sipping, I strolled into the back of Robert’s, and spent some time with the animals. They’ve added a bunch since I last remember… emu, goats, tortoises, birds, fish. A big pond, waterfalls. It’s a pretty cool place to sit and hang out. 

I’ll come back to Robert is Here in another blog post in the near future. It definitely deserves it’s own post!] But the day was young, and I was now in farm country and very close to the Everglades.

 

I had previously heard of the Everglades outpost Wildlife Refuge not far from Robert is Here, so I left in search of more animals. Lucky for me, it was only about 3 miles down the road. 

The first thing I noticed on my way was a beautiful mural of a sunset over the everglades. And from that point on, I had the best day ever. Entering the park I was greeted by volunteers who give a little overview and a point in the right direction to begin. 

I walked around for hours and fell in love with each animal and their story, one by one. Wolf, zebra, tiger oh my! There’s an alligator pit, tortoises, birds and so much more. I listened as the volunteers shared each animal’s story… how they were rescued, most with a sad past life and amazing recovery story.. 

And then I found Kenya…

Kenya is the resident lemur, and he is the cutest, funniest animal and so easy to fall in love with. He was running around his enclosure snacking on chopped up bananas and chilling with his friend, who is a rabbit (also very cute!).  

Kenya has a bright and fun disposition, despite his difficult past. His previous owner removed all of his teeth so he wouldn’t bite, leaving him incapable of simple tasks like chewing, biting, and communicating. 

So Kenya ended up at the Everglades Outpost. A story very similar to so many of the other animals that live there.

Kenya is a strong lemur who learned to work with his disability, with the help of the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue. 

He enjoys a diet of very soft monkey biscuits that are full of all the nutrients he needs to be healthy, as well as small pieces of banana and other fresh fruits. 

He also uses his hands and grunting noises to communicate with his overseers and with the people who like to visit him. His tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, giving him a funny but adorably cute look that everyone visiting his large cage seems to find endearing, even his rabbit friend. 

And he loves attention.

I was so very happy to have found Kenya, and the Everglades Outpost. It’s a refuge dedicated to rescuing hurt and abandoned wildlife, often from bad owners, and giving them the treatment and care they deserve. It’s run almost entirely by volunteers. 

And yes, Kenya and the rest of the animals inspired me to become a volunteer too! I spent several weeks volunteering, interacting with, helping to care for and learning the stories of these beautiful animals. 

For anyone that lives in South Florida or is just passing through, visit the Everglades Outpost. And please consider making a donation to them, or volunteer if you can.   

Tia 

Everglades Outpost
Wildlife Rescue


35601 SW 192 Ave
Homestead, FL 33034
Phone: 305-247-8000

http://www.evergladesoutpost.org/

Please consider helping their amazing work by DONATING: click here.