Plan a Visit

MEET OUR WILDLIFE AMBASSADORS!

Donate

Wildlife Ambassador Zone Visiting Hours

COME JOIN US!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 10:00AM to 4:00PM DAILY
SPECIAL TIMES
Pool Birds feeding time: 10:30AM DAILY
Animal Encounters: 2:00PM SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

Wildlife Ambassador Pelicans Marshall & Baja in their enclosure at WildCare Interim

WildCare is home to a small collection of non-releasable wild animals. All of our Wildlife Ambassadors have shown themselves adaptable to the demands and stresses of living near humans, and each of them provides an invaluable opportunity for the public to view native animals up close.

Many of our animals come out of their enclosures to meet school groups, scout troops, and the general public. Visitors love the opportunity to meet the animals and learn about their natural history. This is an educational experience for all.

The way people think about captive animals is changing. No longer do we accept just seeing a captive animal in a cage. We want a richer experience that includes an understanding of the animal’s habitat, physiology and natural history. And who is better able to teach us than the animals themselves?

WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador Program allows you to form connections to your local wildlife to support our mission to help everyone live well with wildlife.

Through Ambassador Zone signage and interactions with our docents, visitors are introduced to each Wildlife Ambassador and learn the animal’s personal story.  Visitors learn fascinating facts about the species as well as information about the environmental issues faced by wild animals today.

By sharing their rescue stories,
these animals act as ambassadors for their species in order to increase awareness of their plight in the wild.

 

In their courtyard poolside enclosure, watch our pelicans splash into the water and scoop fish into their large pouches. Listen to the laughter-like calls of our Heermann’s Gull. Members of the public can visit to learn about our pool birds and watch them get fed at 10:30am daily.

Routines and training give captive animals activity and challenges. Behavior-enriching activities such as finding hidden food or eating food frozen like a popsicle are stimulating events that keep animals mentally and physically healthy. Maintaining the mental health of our Ambassador animals is an important component of being a Wildlife Ambassador volunteer.

NOW OFFERING WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR ZONE TOURS & CLASSROOM VISITS!

WildCare offers multiple types of classroom visits and field trips for students of all ages.

SCHOOL & GROUP PROGRAMS

MEET WILDCARe'S WILDLIFE AMBASSADORS!

Sequoia the Northern Spotted Owl .Photo by Tom O'Connell

SEQUOIA - northern spotted owl

Sequoia was injured falling from her nest as a young bird in 2015. While she was able to recover from her injuries, she is no longer able to fly silently and would not be a successful hunter. Northern Spotted Owls are listed as a Threatened species in the US and Endangered in Canada.

MOJAVE - DESERT TORTOISE

Mojave was found wandering in Mendocino County and was most likely an abandoned or escaped pet. He is estimated to be over 65 years old.

Desert tortoises are California’s state reptile.

MARSHALL - AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

Marshall was found under a truck with fractures and head trauma in Sacramento in 2018. He cannot be released because he requires daily treatment for his lingering neurological issues. He is named “Marshall” because white pelicans often hunt for fish in marshes.

SUMI - VIRGINIA OPOSSUM

Sumi was orphaned with her litter. She did not show proper defensive instincts like her siblings (who were released). Sumi has no fear of humans, so she would not survive in the wild. Opossums are very adaptable animals and are often found in urban areas.

MARLA - WESTERN POND TURTLE

Marla had been taken from the wild as an adult in 1979. The rescuer had thought that Marla was an escaped or released pet—not realizing Marla was a native species. Marla was eventually surrendered when his owner could no longer care for him. 

Quercus - ACORN WOODPECKER

Quercus suffered head trauma falling from the nest when his nest tree was cut down. While he has made huge progress in his recovery, his head injury impacted his ability to fly. He would not be agile enough to avoid predators to survive in the wild. 

ROSY - ROSY BOA

Rosy was abandoned by her family in 2013 after the child she was purchased for lost interest in her. Rosy boas are popular pets due to their docile nature, and are one of only two native boas in the US.

BAJA - BROWN PELICAN

Baja came to Iinternational Bird Rescue and then WildCare with injuries from Milpitas and cannot fly symmetrically due to wing and shoulder injuries. Brown pelicans are very gregarious and are one of eight pelican species in the world.

!