Meet the Wildlife Ambassadors
WildCare’s courtyard is home to 18 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 “on the glove” 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.
Note: WildCare's Courtyard is currently closed to the public due to avian influenza. Learn more here...
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Learn About Native Wildlife
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 is a unique collaboration between animals and their human handlers designed to provide an enriched experience of animals on display.
Through courtyard signage and interactions with our docents, visitors are introduced to each Wildlife Ambassador and to 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.
Note that WildCare's Courtyard and Museum are currently closed to the public due to the risk of avian influenza (HPAI) to our Wildlife Ambassador birds and our avian patients. Learn more about HPAI here...
Natural Behaviors and Enrichment Techniques
In their courtyard poolside enclosure, our pelicans splash into the water to scoop fish into their throat pouches and our gull shows off her beautiful red beak. Members of the public can visit to learn about and watch our pool birds’ adaptations to their watery environment.
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.
There is nothing more memorable for your students than having live wild animals visit your classroom!
Your group will have the opportunity to meet three of WildCare’s rescued non-releasable wild animals during this unforgettable presentation.
By sharing their rescue stories, these animals act as ambassadors for their species in order to increase awareness of their plight in the wild.
Due to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in our region, we are currently only able to offer reptile and opossum adaptations programs. Classroom visitors can include a Virginia Opossum, Desert Tortoise, California Kingsnake, Rosy Boa, or a Western Pond Turtle.
We do not know how long HPAI will last, but we look forward to resuming our regular programing as soon as this threat to our birds has passed.