South Florida Wildlife Center

Wildlife Center

Alessandra Medri has dedicated much of her professional career to help the most vulnerable creatures on earth. As Executive Director of South Florida Wildlife Center (SFWC), she is focused on helping native wildlife survive and thrive as their natural habitat falls victim to development and urbanization. Before joining SFWC, Medri spent 25 years working as an environmental scientist and animal welfare professional in South Florida. She has held many leadership positions advocating environmental restoration programs and wildlife protection, bringing her decades-long commitment to wildlife rescue, environmental conservation management and animal welfare management to the Center. Medri leads a team of extraordinary women, from executive staff down to supervisors — all dedicated to the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife.

Founded in 1969, the South Florida Wildlife Center is an independent, nonprofit organization located in Fort Lauderdale that relies on the support of individual donations, corporate sponsorships and grant funding to operate and carry out its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned wildlife, as well as educate the public about the South Florida ecosystem. 

SFWC serves a vital role in the tri-county area admitting between 10,000-12,000 animals each year. Turtles, squirrels, pelicans, raccoons, snakes, coyotes, opossums, birds, bats and rabbits, are among the 350 different species that receive care. Patients are afflicted with all manner of injury and illness, including broken wings, swallowed fishing hooks and lines, and head trauma.  

“Their habitat is shrinking,” says Medri. “As land is developed, animals become more vulnerable. It’s important to educate the public about the critical role wild animals play in the balance of our ecosystem and how to facilitate peaceful cohabitation.”

SFWC provides community education programs and serves as a teaching hospital offering intern and extern opportunities for veterinary students and others pursuing life science careers. 

“It’s a privilege to provide lifesaving care for so many of these beautiful creatures,” says Medri. “Releasing each animal back into the wild after it has been rehabilitated is truly rewarding and validates the work of everyone in the organization.”

South Florida Wildlife Center, 3200 S.W. 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, 954-524-4302, southfloridawildlifecenter.org

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