SDHS Project Wildlife

s an d iego Humane s ociety’s Proj E c T W ILDLIFE

San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program is the primary resource for wild animal rehabilitation and conservation education in San Diego County. Each year, San Diego Humane Society gives more than 13,000 injured, orphaned and sick wild animals a second chance.

At its state-of-the-art Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center in San Diego, injured and orphaned wildlife—from hummingbirds, doves and ducks, to rabbits, squirrels, skunks and opossums—can heal and grow in specially designed habitats that reduce stress and meet their unique needs before they are released back to the wild. The facility’s medical and surgical suites allow the wildlife veterinary team to perform advanced medical care for species of all shapes and sizes, including orthopedic repairs and acupuncture.

www.sdhumane.org/wildlife

A 14-week-old mountain lion cub, semiconscious, emaciated and dehydrated, was brought to the San Diego Humane Society by firefighters in Idyllwild. The cub received daily fluid therapy, medications and nutrition and after doubling in weight, she was transferred to another wildlife facility where she now lives with two other mountain lions.

Rescued baby animals require hand feeding in the beginning of their rehabilitation journey. Care at this young age requires expert treatment.

Bobcat kitten, burned in the El Dorado fire, had burned paws, singed ears and was emaciated. She was treated and released back into the wild.

The work of our medical staff and Project Wildlife volunteers is guided by one word: Compassion. It is through the unwavering compassion of our team and larger San Diego community that we are able to help more than 13,000 birds and mammals each year. “ “

—Jon Enyart, DVM Sr. Director of Project Wildlife

A young barn owl had a misaligned beak after falling from her nest which was preventing her from eating. The center’s veterinarian performed a surgery that had never been done before, inserting two metal rods through the owl’s beak and slowly straightened it using rubber bands. The young owl made a healthy recovery. He was eventually released back into the wild with a straight beak.

The great horned owl is also referred to as the hoot owl or tiger owl.

San Diego County is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States with the greatest number of endangered species. People from all over the county bring “ wildlife patients to Project Wildlife for care and we are proud to be a resource that our neighbors can depend on in order to coexist peacefully with wild animals. “

—Gary Weitzman, DVM San Diego Humane Society President & CEO

Injured bald eagle was found with a wing droop and unable to fly. It received treatment at the center from the medical team and was then sent to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Campus to regain strength in an aviary. It was released when it was strong enough to fly.

This baby peregrine falcon was found with its wing injured and was successfully rehabilitated.

A peregrine falcon was found unable to fly and covered in cactus spines with all of her tail feathers broken. The medical team at the center used a rare procedure called “imping” to repair them. She was placed in a special habitat to grow stronger and was eventually released.

Whether it is a petite hummingbird or a majestic mountain lion, we put the same attention and care into every animal. And there’s “ nothing more satisfying than seeing our patients returned to the wild. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.“