Wild About Rescuing Animals: Claire Brunk, WLW-ECOS Scholarship Recipient

Claire Brunk, an undergraduate biological sciences student on the pre-veterinary track, has been fascinated with conservation and the environment since she was little. Growing up, she was surrounded by animals and often times, sick, hurt or orphaned animals found their way to Brunk, who took them in and cared for them. It quickly sparked her passion for conservation, and she understood the impact just one person could have on animal conservation and the environment around us.  

Today, thanks to support from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship program , Brunk has continued to learn about Florida’s wide range of wildlife and how to best care for injured animals as an intern at the South Florida Wildlife Center in Fort Lauderdale. Her full-time internship at the Center also helped her secure a full-time job following her graduation in December.  

“I am very grateful to be named a scholarship recipient because it is a recognition of the hard work that I have put into helping wildlife at the Center,” expressed Brunk. “This scholarship enables me to continue to do the work I love—while earning my degree—surrounded by people who share my passion for the conservation and rehabilitation of Florida’s wildlife.”  

As an intern, Brunk’s responsibilities include properly caring for the animals through their rehabilitation process. She medicates and feeds each patient according to their specialized treatment plans. Throughout the day, she monitors each patient by tracking their weight and behavior to ensure they are growing and receiving as much care as possible.  

“My favorite part of this internship is making a difference in animals’ lives and watching them gain enough strength to be released back into the wild where they belong,” noted Brunk. “I especially love being in the nursery, where I am able to raise them as infants and watch them grow through our rehabilitation process, enough to be released as adults.”  

Brunk began her internship at the Center in May 2024, and she will become a full-time employee at the nonprofit organization following her anticipated graduation from Florida Atlantic in December 2025. She plans to work in wildlife rehabilitation and pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine and specialize in wildlife conservation.

“One thing that pushed me to become a vet was when my cat was diagnosed with diabetes, and he required insulin shots twice a day. Once that happened, I knew I wanted to give a voice to animals that were voiceless,” shared Brunk. “When I got the incredible opportunity to intern at the Center, I saw how I could mesh both conservation and veterinary care together.”   

Since 1969, the South Florida Wildlife Center has treated and rehabilitated thousands of injured and orphaned wildlife animals in the tri-county area. The Center is the highest-volume wildlife hospital in Florida, admitting between 10,000 to 12,000 animals each year. It aims to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned wildlife in South Florida, as well as educate the public about wildlife issues and how to peacefully co-exist with our wild neighbors.