Otter Creek is an organization dedicated to protecting our environment.
We operate a feral hog rescue and rehabilitation program and a virtual adoption opportunity where we help baby orphaned animals to survive the challenges in the wild. We support our efforts through your donations, adoptions, and through our research into oral contraceptive solutions for invasive species. BE THE CHANGE!
Did you know that feral hogs can breed at the early age of 6 months and that a single female can have two litters of 6 to 9 piglets a year! With few natural predators, even human control measures such as trapping, barbaric field castrations, and hunting cannot keep up with the population growth. That is why we have developed oral contraceptives. It does not kill the pigs, just permanently sterilizes them, painlessly and without side effects.
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Our Mission & History
Do you know that feral hogs are one of the smartest animals on the planet after whales, orcas, porpoises and apes. They are even smarter than a small child. Some might say that “they are just animals”, but they are much more like us than you might think. They have the ability to grieve, they are altruistic and will protect the vulnerable. Pigs can be left-handed, gay and like elephants, they have really amazing memories. Feral hogs have distinct personalities and join cliques based on mutual interests. Feral hogs can laugh and cry, they show happiness and sadness, suffer from depression and stress. They play with toys and give gifts. They have different roles in their herds which they may keep for life. They have a fantastic memory and can even understand spatial navigation. They recognize themselves in a mirror and can recognize different humans they interact with. We learned all of this by daily interaction with several packs of feral hogs. As we learned more about them, we switched from being hunters of these “vermin” to respectful members of their community. But we recognized the problem with their rapid population growth. To that end we set up shop to develop an oral vaccine for contraception. That was the begging of Otter Creek Conservancy and our sister organization Dakota Research Labs.
We know we can make a difference. Are you willing to help?
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Pigs
Where we work
We are based out of north Florida, but our efforts take us as far south as the Florida Keys, westward to Texas, and to the far north of Canada. Because or efforts support causes that are worldwide, we anticipate reaching across the globe as our solutions are proven to be effective in managing invasive and non-native species.
Keith
Executive Director/Founder
A 100% Disabled Combat Veteran, Keith is a graduate of the US Naval Academy with a degree in Marine/Nuclear Engineering. After 28 years in the US Navy, a career as a consultant, Corporate Executive and Senior Federal Government Employee, Keith has found his dream in starting a research facility and nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the world from invasive and non-native species.
Jane
Chairman of the Board/Founder
Jane retired from the US Navy as a Chief Petty Officer and dedicated her retirement years to helping others and the environment. One of those unique individuals that hurt and orphaned wild animals seem to gravitate to, Jane is affectionately known as the Mother of All Crippled Animals. With a yard filled with nearly a dozen injured or disabled wild animals, it was not a surprise when Jane pushed for establishing an organization that could make a difference in repairing the damage we humans have caused to the environment, whether through pollution, encroachment or introduction of non-native and invasive species.
Helen & Sawyer
Vice President/Secretary
Helen and Sawyer head up our Appalachian Research Team.
Dakota
Vice President
Dakota heads up our Mountain West Research Team.
Key West Team
Team Members/Volunteers
The Key West Team will focus on the Python Project, Lionfish Project, and the Lower keys Marsh Rabbit Data Collection Project.
Limpy (deceased)
Founder/Muse/Motivational Speaker
Limpy was one of the original founders of the organization. A sweet disposition and a keen intellect helped propel her up the ranks of the team and drove us to the realization of the nonprofit research goal. Sadly, she was killed by hunters only weeks before we finalized the organization of the nonprofit. Her children, siblings and relatives carry on the effort in her honor.