Nurtured by Nature is licensed by the State of California’s Department of Fish & Wildlife as a regional shelter for non-native California wildlife and exotics. Through this designated Shelter Permit, Nurtured by Nature often takes in animals from various agencies and situations, including U.S. Fish & Wildlife, CA Fish & Wildlife, San Diego Humane Society, and other wildlife rescues. Some of them stay at Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center and many are sent to other qualified facilities who have the experience, proper permits, and skills necessary to provide for their wellbeing.
Below is a list of some of the shelter animals who have found their fur-ever home at Nurtured by Nature’s Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center.
Bald Eagle
Our Bald Eagle, Denali, experienced a wing injury as a young adult bird that did not allow her to be returned to the wild once healed. As a result, she has helped to teach kids and adults alike about birds of prey and their importance to their ecosystem.
Our Golden Eagle Spirit‘s story is the same as Denali’s and we are so happy to be their forever (and retirement) home.
Golden Eagle
Common & Alligator Snapping Turtles
Through our relationship with California’s Department of Fish & Wildlife, Nurtured by Nature has been able to give homes to several Common and Alligator Snapping Turtles that were captured after being illegally released into California ponds/lakes. This happens every year and is an ongoing placement project.
Our 8 Red Foot Tortoises happily reside in Nurtured by Nature’s Tortoise Town where they mosey around soaking up the sun, eating a buffet of food, and teaching guests about this very interesting tropical tortoise. Their individual stories range from helping find homes after their human caretakers passed away or surrendered for various reasons.
Red Foot Tortoise
Kinkajous
Moo & Kitty were rescued from an exceptionally troublesome situation by California’s Department of Fish & Wildlife, who then contacted us to help find caring and responsible homes for them and 20 plus other animals that were discovered to be living in a deplorable hoarding situation. They now reside at Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center and occasionally peak their heads out to greet our guests, especially if they have sweet treats to offer.
Turbo, our Sulcata or Spurred Tortoise, was surrendered to Nurtured by Nature after growing too big for his original owner. This type of tortoise is the third largest living tortoise species in the world and can grow to 150 pounds! He’s been a Nurtured by Nature resident for 15 years, but he’s got lots of years to go. People commonly reach out to us looking for new homes for their Spurred Tortoise once they have outgrown their cute baby size.
Spurred Tortoise
Russian Tortoises
Over the years we have also partnered with the San Diego Turtle Tortoise Society to help find permanent homes for turtles and tortoises surrendered to the Society for various reasons. Our current Russian Tortoises came to us through this collaboration (FYI – this is an old picture, and we don’t have this many tortoises in our care, but we thought it was fun to see how personable the Russian Tortoises can be with Nurtured by Nature Co-Founder, Kevin)