The Wildlife Center is the largest, most successful wildlife rehabilitation center in New Mexico

Giving New Mexico's Wildlife A Second Chance For Freedom

bear, owl, lizard, badger, raven, raccoon, bighorn sheep


		Welcome to The Wildlife Center
Bald eagle just out of surgery		All New Mexicans, as well as visitors from around the world traveling to New Mexico, treasure our state’s abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, New Mexico’s wild animals are often injured when they come into contact with people. Many are hit by cars on open highways or shot by poachers. Others are poisoned, electrocuted or injured when they make their homes too close to what has become human habitation. The Wildlife Center has cared for more than 25,000 of these animals since 1986 and continues to rehabilitate 1,400 mammals, raptors, songbirds and reptiles each year. We heal their wounds, provide a safe place for them to rest and recover, then release them back into safe habitats. Many animals brought to The Center are so badly injured that they cannot be saved and die almost immediately. Those that are able to survive—about 55 percent—are released into the wild after rehabilitation. These successes—a released eagle on the wing, or a bobcat bounding out of a transport container and across a field—help to make up for those animals that are lost. Some surviving animals are so seriously injured or accustomed to people that they cannot survive in the wild. Because The Center is not a sanctuary, some of those animals become educational envoys for The Center, while others are sent to wild-animal sanctuaries, zoos or other wildlife centers. The Center has been recognized many times for its work with New Mexico’s wild, and most recently received a memorial on the floor of the state legislature. The Governor of New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the United States Department of Agriculture are supporting the Center through unique permits issued only to The Center, as the largest and most successful rehabilitation service of its kind in New Mexico. Our financial support comes from foundations, grants and friends like you. Facts About The Center The Wildlife Center in north Santa Fe county just south of Española, is New Mexico's only wildlife hospital. We are open to the public for tours every Wednesday - Saturday, and offer educational programs by arrangement. The Wildlife Center was established in 1986 as a raptor rehabilitation center under the name "Las Aves." In 1991, The Center changed its name to The Wildlife Center to reflect an operation that was expanded to include rehabilitation of all indigenous New Mexico wildlife. The Center’s success rate for return to the wild is around 55 percent. The Center is the only rehabilitation center in New Mexico permitted by the federal government and state of New Mexico to rehabilitate large mammals, such as the New Mexico black bear, endangered species and the eagle, our national bird. Twenty-five educational birds and mammals reside at the Center and are the center piece of over 120 educational programs and over 400 public tours each year at the Center and throughout northern New Mexico. These programs and tours reach about 8000 adults and children each year. Eight staff and more than 100 volunteers, who give over 10,000 hours of their time annually, enable the organization to provide leadership for programs and in the rehabilitation of wildlife. Primary funding comes to The Center from individual donors and private foundations. The Center receives no regular funding from the state or federal government. Board of Directors and Members Marian Sperberg-McQueen— Board Chair Judy Chaddick— Board Vice Chair Jeff Hanus— Board Treasurer Kerry Mower— Board Secretary Kathleen Ramsay, DVM (founder)— Board Member Carole Sandoval— Board Member Patricia Archuleta— Board Member Doug Trent— Honorary Board Member
Bald eagle recovering in ICU
Bald eagle rehabilitated and released
		Public Tour Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Click here for maps to our facility and information about visiting us. Animal Intake Hours: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about our organization and programs, please contact The Center: PO Box 246, Española New Mexico 87532 Phone505.753.9505 Fax505.747.8862 E-mail: paul@thewildlifecenter.org
		© 1998 – 2006 The Wildlife Center, Inc. — All rights reserved Contributing photographers: Deb Friedrichs, Debra Meyer, Roz Pulitzer, Mike Sanderson & Forest Strong Initial Site Design: Debra Meyer Design Updates and Maintenance: Laurie McGavrankq5d@arrl.net home \|about \| education and outreach \| news and events \| how you can help \| contact \| visit