The 7,000-acre brush fire that torched property in the Naples area recently also threatened a wildlife refuge.
- Naples zookeeper recovering after brush fire animal rescue
- Donovan Smith suffered serious burns and is recovering at Tampa General Hospital
- Smith and volunteers were able to move 40 animals to safer ground
- Ngala Wildlife Preserve
- Brush fire coverage
That led Naples-based zookeeper Donovan Smith to risk his life to save multiple animals, including an 8-year-old rhinoceros. Smith suffered serious burns and is at Tampa General Hospital.
Smith, the co-owner of the Ngala Wildlife Preserve, said leaving the animals behind as flames approached the property was no an option.
"Hey guys, Donovan here, I just want to thank you all for your extreme kindness and generosity," Smith said in a Facebook video post on Sunday. "I’m blown away and humbled."
As Collier County officials ordered evacuations, Smith and volunteers were able to move 40 animals to safer ground. But Smith knew they wouldn't be able to move Walter - a rhino he has cared for for several years.
As the flames got close, Smith drove a four-wheeler through fire to reach an area where he found Walter safe.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Smith pay for his medical bills, as well as for repairs to the Ngala habitat damaged in the fire.
GoFundMe sites are not managed by Bay News 9/News 13. For more information on how the site works and the rules, visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety