Since 1978, the Peace River Wildlife Center has been a non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation in Punta Gorda. Each year the PRWC rescues and treats about 2,000 birds and animals. Most of them are returned to the wild. However, some become permanent residents like Annie, a common great horned owl. Admission to their facility at Ponce de Leon Park is free. The way this raptor stared at me with those enormous and acute yellow eyes was a real hoot.