In wake of disasters, Chile animal shelter offers hope to wildlife

'Refugio Animal' member Kendra Ivelic strokes a puma at the Exhibition and Environmental Education Center 'Refugio Animal Cascada' opening day, a rehabilitation place for wild animals who, due to the severity of their injuries, cannot be released and where visitors will be able to observe endemic animals, at San Alfonso area, in Santiago, Chile July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - In the misty forests just outside of Chile's capital Santiago, a rescued puma stalks the leafy surroundings of the Refugio Animal Cascada, a shelter hoping to rehabilitate and house wildlife affected by the country's natural disasters.

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.