The shelter, first opened two decades ago, has seen a host of new residents this year following a string of recent wildfires, droughts and heavy rains. Among the animals housed at the Refugio Animal Cascada, which translates to Waterfall Animal Refuge, are foxes, falcons, owls and pumas. "We welcome (the wildlife) in order to rehabilitate them and release them," wildlife shelter director Kendra Ivelic said. Others, however, cannot be released because of the severity of their injuries, she added, such as a hawk who lost an eye. This week, the shelter is opening a new Environmental Education and Exhibition Center, which will house native animals that cannot be released and have been affected by fires or other environmental disasters.

---

Persons: Kendra, Cascada, Read, Maisa Rojas, Kendra Ivelic, Isabel Woodford, Sandra Maler Organizations: Refugio Animal, puma, Exhibition, Environmental Education Center, Chilean Environment, Environmental Education, Exhibition Center, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Refugio, SANTIAGO, Chile's, Santiago