Owner speaks after fire kills several animals

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- The owner of a South Florida ranch is speaking out for the first time after several of her exotic animals died in a fire on her property.

Corey Oltz gave 7 News an exclusive tour of her ranch after she lost several exotic animals to a fire on Dec. 2, along 10400 Southwest 60th Street, in Southwest Miami-Dade. "You can see the fire burned so hot, it melted everything here," said Oltz.

Oltz detailed her losses: "Five birds, two lemurs, an anteater and two of the big snakes, and we also had a bunch of stuff here like geckos and scorpions, and things like that, " said Oltz.

The fire started in the back of the ranch. Oltz said all her animals are part of her company called The Animal World. "We do wildlife shows for schools, summer camps and all kinds of programs, community outreach programs and everything, and we let the kids pet all the animals and touch the animals, and it's really neat because they get a close up look," she said.

Many of the animal cages, along with all of her tools were destroyed. Oltz said this has been nearly the hardest thing she has ever faced. "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with except for loosing my husband. I was married for nine months and he died in a car accident, and that was hard, but this is a close second. I don't even know where to start," said Oltz.

She hopes with the help of donations, she will be able to get back on her feet again. I you would like to donate to help rebuild the cages that were lost, go to www.wildanimalworld.net.

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