PLANT CITY, Fla. — A wildlife sanctuary in Hillsborough County is still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

What You Need To Know

  • The Muscovy Sanctuary of Florida is reaching out to the community for help to rebuild the sanctuary following Hurricane Milton

  • The recent major storm devastated the sanctuary in Plant City, covering it in about two to three feet of water for a couple weeks, according to Gail Dixon, founder

  • She is hoping to get help to either rebuild her current sanctuary or to help pay for a new location for her organization

The Muscovy Sanctuary of Florida takes care of that specific breed of duck and is currently trying to repair its pen that was badly damaged by the storm.

“It flooded the entire property here with about two feet, two to three feet of water,” said Gail Dixon, founder of the sanctuary.

According to Dixon, the flooding didn’t go away quickly.

The water from the nearby pond that flooded the sanctuary stuck around for about two weeks.

“I literally wore my bathing suit,” Dixon said. “And I was prepared for water. And it was over my knees.”

The pen where the ducks were housed started buckling from the weight of the tarps that absorbed so much rain.

“The wind hit it constantly for I don't know how many hours,” Dixon said. “And so, what it did was it just pushed it. And so, this whole bar across here, collapsed.”

For weeks, she and other volunteers have been putting supports in the pen while building a temporary space for the Muscovy and other birds on the property. But that solution, according to Dixon, can only be temporary.

“We're going to have to put this back together unless we find some other location,” she said.

That’s why she is reaching out to the community for help online. She is hoping to raise enough money to find a better spot for the sanctuary or, at the very least, get enough cash to repair what is expected to cost thousands of dollars.

“You're walking around and thinking, OK, is this really happening?” Dixon said.

It’s a tough reality for Dixon and the sanctuary, but what brings her joy amidst the uncertainty are the Muscovy — even with their unusual looks — they are a part of Dixon’s family.

“They really have different personalities,” Dixon said. “They love to interact with people. And so, I don't know, it's hard not to love them.”

Which is why she’ll do whatever it takes to help these animals.