05/10/2026
There aren’t words to describe the hurt that comes with the loss of an animal that you work with for a long time. It is not easy to talk about, to put it into words. Very few will understand the pain felt in moments like these. But we can’t give up, because there are so many more that need us.
Smoke inhalation is a terrible thing. Even in the hours following a disaster there is still so much at risk. One of the first pieces of advice we got was how important the next few days of monitoring would be for these animals, because unfortunately there was still so much up in the air. The first 72 hours of rehabilitation after an event like this can be so risky, and so misleading. Because of this, we wanted to wait before making this post.
As we have just surpassed one week since the event, we’re writing to share that we have since lost one of our longer term sanctuary ambassadors due to complications relating to the fire. In light of that, we wanted to share her story here:
This is Azula, a Keel Bellied Lizard that has been with the Sanctuary since July of 2024.
Keel Bellied Lizards are in a group of lizards called lacertas. This group of lizards, also called “true lizards” are from Africa and Europe, and span across a wide array of lizards. Keel bellied lizards specifically are known for having an extremely long tail relative to their body, helping them navigate the canopy in Kenya and Tanzania. Azula was the only lacerta that had ever came through the sanctuary’s doors.
But Azula was more than a lacerta. She was a shy, quiet lizard that slowly but surely warmed up to humans as we worked with her regularly. From a lizard that would bounce off the walls in panic as soon as you entered the room, to one that would gladly come out to your hand (with a bit of persuasion from a bug), Azula learned to trust us. By learning what she liked in her quarantine enclosure and enclosures after that, we built her final enclosure to her specs to be a place that she felt confident in. She learned that this was a safe space for her, and that the people who approached her doors did so out of love and respect for this incredible animal.
Azula will always have a place in our hearts, and nothing can ever take that away. As we look toward the future, her memory will guide us and inspire us to continue to better the lives of the animals that come through our doors, seeking to constantly improve every day. Her memory will serve as a reminder that these animals aren’t an exhibit, or even just a species. They are an individual. An individual with a story to tell, just like any one of us. Now, it’s our job to tell them, louder than ever before.
As our staff grieves the loss of life from this tragedy, we wish to thank you all for your support during this time. While our hearts lie with the irreplaceable losses, your support allows us to look toward the future… while we strive to support our community when we can, providing supplies, resources, advice, and education, we could have never imagined the amount of people that would turn around and ask how to support us during this time.
We hope to provide more updates as we recover, but if you don’t hear from us as often as normal, just know that Spock’s couldn’t do what we do without your support. You allow us to help animals in need, and for that, we will forever be grateful.
Thank you for your patience during this time!
With love - The Spock’s Crew
