The Magazine of The Sierra Club
Rescue Remedy: 6 Inspiring Animal Rehab Instagram Accounts
Warm up this winter with furry stars of social media
The last of the holiday decorations are coming down, and some parts of the country are currently colder than Mars. On the prowl for some extra cheer, we scouted out six animal-rescue Instagram accounts that’ll guarantee followers a daily dose of inspiration that’s often funny, sometimes breathtaking, and always adorable. Add them to your feed for a steady stream of spectacular shots—and consider sharing them on social media to help further highlight the incredible work of these organizations and animal ambassadors.
Hammy the Squirrel
@hammythesquirreloffical: There are few things as adorable as a tiny woodland creature in need of a helping hand—and Instagram mogul Hammy the Squirrel is no exception. When Hammy was just a few weeks old, she fell from her mother’s nest into the parking lot below. Eventually, a couple found her, took her in, and nursed her back to health. But when it was time to go home, Hammy refused. Today, Hammy roams free in the couple’s house—forever finding new kinds of mischief to get into. With the help of this feed, you, along with thousands of followers and fans, can keep up with Hammy and her relentless shenanigans.
@thewcs: Journey to the distant corners of the Arctic, the deserts of Iran, and beyond. One of the first conservation organizations in the United States, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) boasts vivid images provided by international environmental photographers. The organization aims to conserve the world's largest wildlife habitats in 16 regions, which encompass more than 50 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Featuring intimate shots of a range of species, it’s little wonder the WCS has amassed nearly 100,000 Instagram followers.
Zoological Wildlife Foundation
@zwfmiami: Perusing this zoo’s gorgeous feed is the next best thing to going there. The Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) in Miami, Florida, offers Insta followers an array of stunning imagery and footage depicting the rare and diverse critters that call it home. Founded in 1979, the Zoological Wildlife Foundation pilots numerous conservation projects and captive-breeding programs for species that might otherwise be extinct. What’s more, there’s no shortage of breathtaking baby animals on its feed.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
@dswt: Charge into the balmy plains of Kenya via conservationist David Sheldrick’s immersive Instagram experience. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust—widely considered the most successful orphan elephant and rehabilitation rescue in East Africa—provides a haven for orphaned elephants and their not-too-distant cousins and fellow poaching targets, black rhinos. This rescue operation places these animals into safe foster homes, and its Orphan’s Project works to reintegrate them back into the wild in Tsavo, Kenya. This feel-good feed features African elephants, the largest land animals on Earth, as they romp around their nursery at the trust. But don’t be fooled—although majestic, these spirited pachyderms can be a trunk-ful.
@thekangaroosanctuary: Little-known fact: One top antidote to the winter blahs involves baby-kangaroo rescues. Meet the orphaned and adult residents of Alice Springs, Australia’s 188-acre sanctuary—as well as the creatures being treated at the on-site wildlife hospital (the first to be founded down under)—via this buoyantly joyful feed. Get to know the vivacious members of this community by name, and witness them hopping, cuddling, growing, swimming, and sometimes even rocking costumes. After sufficient intake, you might find yourself planning a visit to see these mesmerizing marsupials in the flesh—the sanctuary offers popular guided sunset tours.
Butterwick Animal Rehabilitation Clinic
@butterwickaninmalrehab: This page can coax the warm, fuzzy feels out of anyone. Get soaked with the pups at the Butterwick Animal Rehabilitation Clinic in North East England as they partake in hydrotherapy—a treatment for joint and muscle problems that involves plenty of pool exercises. Check out these sopping canines in their fetching red life preservers—panting, swimming, and almost always smiling.
