TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – It isn’t just people trying to recover from last week’s tornadoes.

From woodpeckers to foxes to possums, many animals were hurt or lost their homes due to the storm. Some of them ended up at St. Francis Wildlife Association in Gadsden County.

WCTV got an inside look at the organization’s day-to-day operation Wednesday afternoon.

One volunteer was tasked with feeding 11 baby possums, who were found orphaned after the storm. Hannah Altonji, a wildlife rehabilitation manager, performed an intake assessment for a dehydrated woodpecker that had just been brought in. Then, she wiped down a baby fox, who had been found on its own, likely separated from its mother during the storm.

“Lots of animals from the storm do get displaced from their families, from their nest, and overall, just from their homes,” Altonji said, while cleaning the fox.

Staff estimated they had about 300 animals on site, with more coming each day. Altonji said the influx of injured or orphaned animals is unfortunately expected.

“Since the storms, we’ve seen lots of injured adults as well as injured babies, as well as just general orphaned wildlife that resulted from parents being killed in the high winds,” Altonji said.

According to Altonji, the number of animal rescues tripled after Friday’s tornadoes. Since then, staff have been working overtime to care for all of them.

“There’s been a huge influx of animals, especially birds,” Madison Smith, a hospital tech, said. “Very busy.”

It’s bittersweet work, with both tragedies and triumphs. Smith believes it’s well worth it.

“Knowing that you’re doing something to better the environment, to better the lives of these animals, really keeps you going,” she said, smiling.

If you find an animal that you think might need help, you can call St. Francis Wildlife Association at 850-627-4151.

The organization is also in need of donations and volunteers. You can learn more about ways to help here.

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