Jaws, an animal ambassador from
Lake Metroparks' Wildlife Center, is featured in video which appeared on 19 Action News Animals! segment by Danielle Serino.
Mission
To reduce human impact on native Ohio wildlife through education and rehabilitation.
Each year, nearly 2,000 injured or orphaned animals receive first aid and rehabilitation at the Wildlife Center. Patients include backyard wildlife, such as rabbits and songbirds, and endangered species such as the peregrine falcon and bald eagle. Many eventually resume their life in the wild.
The Wildlife Center is home to 25 Animal Ambassadors ranging from reptiles, mammals, to a variety of birds of prey. These animals assist the staff in teaching the public, groups, and students about wildlife issues and conservation. All of our school programs meet current academic standards.
Visit the Wildlife Yard to get an up-close look at all of our amazing ambassadors! The yard is open 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week.
The Wildlife Center admits many injured birds of prey throughout the year including: Red-Tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, Peregrine Falcons, and even Bald Eagles. However, it is very rare to see a Merlin Falcon in the wild let alone to be lucky enough to see one up close.
A female Merlin was brought to the center on April 1, 2009 from downtown Cleveland; this is the first time that this small bird of prey has ever been cared for at the center. After being x-rayed and assessed by a vet that works with the Wildlife Center, she was treated for a coracoid fracture. This is a slow healing fracture that requires a bandaged wing and careful physical therapy to ensure flexibility and muscle strength. After almost a month of rehabilitation she was successfully released.
Merlin Falcons can be found throughout North America, but they are not common in any one area. They are very rare in Ohio and can normally only be spotted during migration which starts in mid September through October and they migrated back in late March through early May; April being the peak time of their spring migration. Wintering numbers of Merlins in Ohio are very low, but increasing annually.
If you are an avid birder and want to see this Falcon in the wild the best place to observe their migration is at Cape May in New Jersey. Merlins resemble the size of a pigeon and are commonly nicknamed a pigeon hawk or bullet hawk. They stand 10-13 inches tall and have a 2 foot wingspan. During breeding season, Merlins inhabit coniferous forests and make their nests in trees, cliffs, and crevices. A breeding pair is very territorial and needs a large hunting range. For the remainder of the year they prefer to live in open spaces such as: fields, grasslands, marshlands, and lakeshores. Their diet consists mostly of other birds (80%), some bats, insects, and small rodents. They are very agile hunters that usually catch their prey in flight. Populations have declined due to habitat loss, but these intelligent raptors are starting to adapt to more urban environments—taking advantage of pigeon and starling overpopulation in cities.
The Wildlife Center operates under state permits from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and federal permits from the U.S. Fish and Widlife Service. Our staff has professional training in wildlife first aid, care, and education.
The staff works closely with generous and talented local veterinarians.
The Wildlife Center is an active and professional member of the following organizations:
Q: “What types of animals are cared for by the Wildlife Center?”
A: Approximately 2,000 injured or orphaned Ohio wildlife are cared for annually. Our goal is to return healthy wildlife back to the wild.
Q: “I found an injured bird or mammal - what should I do?”
A: Call the Wildlife Center Helpline at 440-256-2131 before bringing the animal in. We will help you decide what is best for that animal. We are open 9:00 to 5:00 daily (including Saturday and Sunday).
Q: “A bird just hit my window - should I bring it in?”
A: We recommend waiting at least one hour for the bird to recover on its own before trying to intervene. Always try and call the Wildlife Center Helpline
(440-256-2131) before bringing an injured animal into the Wildlife Center.
Q: “What should I do if I have a wildlife emergency after 5:00?”
We have drop-off cages in front of the Wildlife Center for injured animals for after-hour emergencies. Make sure the animal is in a secure box (with a lid) or cage. Please fill out the information form attached to the drop off cage and you can check on the animal the next morning.
Q: “There is an orphaned fawn in my yard, should I bring it in?”
A: Call the Wildlife Center Helpline (440-256-2131) for advice. Very rarely is the fawn an orphan. The female deer will protect her young from predators by leaving them alone in a secluded spot and caring for them periodically. The fawn should be left alone and protected from children and pets.
Q: “Is the animal or bird I found really an orphan?”
A: Probably not. Wildlife parents are very devoted to the care of their young and rarely abandon them. It is common for the young to be alone while the parents are off in search of the next meal.
Q: “Do you take all birds and animals?”
A: Some animals, like raccoons, skunks and bats present special health concerns. Call the Wildlife Center Helpline (440-256-2131) immediately for advice and referral numbers. We do not take domestic animals and exotic animals which require specialized care.
Again, call the Wildlife Center Helpline for referral numbers.
Q: “What happens to the animal after I bring it in?”
A: Our goal at the Wildlife Center is to return healthy wildlife back to the wild. The animal receives a physical exam, medical treatment and professional care during the length of its stay. You will be given a case number to check on the animal’s condition at any time and you will also receive a postcard when it is released.
Q: “What can I do to prevent wildlife orphans and injuries?”
A:
Check for nests before cutting down a tree or clearing brush. It is best to
cut trees and clear brush in the autumn when nesting season is over.
Place caps on all chimneys, vents and window wells to prevent animals from nesting there.
Keep your pets under control so that they do not injure wild animals.
Educate children to respect wild animals and their habitat, and not to try and catch or harass them.
Use caution when driving and watch the roadsides for wild animals, especially at dawn and dusk.
Click hereto view items that the center needs and accepts in order to improve the care of animal patients. Items may be new or gently used.
The Wildlife Center relieves the stress of human impact on wildlife populations through human education and wildlife rehabilitation.
The Wildlife Center offers quality education programs and operates a Wildlife Helpline to provide information on Ohio's native wildlife. Injured, orphaned, or sick animals are given appropriate care and
nurturing so that they may be returned to the wild. Special attention is given to animals whose populations are in decline.
Occasionally animals sustain permanent injuries
and cannot return to the wild. These animals may become permanent residents or Animal Ambassadors for the Center and assist the staff in teaching about wildlife and conservation issues.
The wild animals that successfully recuperate at the Wildlife Center are released back to their natural world. Those that have injuries prohibiting independent survival remain as part of our "Education Staff". Hawks, owls, falcons and vultures have become a vital part of Lake Metroparks environmental education programs. These animals act as "ambassadors" for their species allowing us to learn about them.
Injured, orphaned or sick wild animals need humane and intense care for recovery and release. Medical treatment, food and shelter can be costly. Your donation can help defray these costs and help us help these animals.
Animal outreach program
To schedule a program, call 440-256-2109.
Although your adopted animal will stay at the Wildlife Center, you may visit any time during open hours 9am - 5pm everyday except Christmas and New Years. Please come and visit us. If you are unable to visit but still wish to help below is a form that you can send in and your packet will be mailed to you.
Lake Metroparks Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native species of Ohio Wildlife. These residents are under the permanent care of the Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibited indepentent survival.
Click here to see our current Wildlife Center Animal Ambassadors.
The mission of the Wildlife Center is to reduce impact on native Ohio wildlife through human education and wildlife rehabilitation. Each year nearly 2,000 injured and orphaned animals receive first aid; care and rehabilitation-many eventually resume their life in the wild. Some animals can not be released may become our animal ambassadors and assist us in teaching about wildlife issues and conservation.
Objective:
Volunteers will learn the basic procedures and protocols involved with wildlife education and rehabilitation. They will develop and practice skills of animal husbandry/triage, environmental programming, and handling/enrichment for program animals directly from professionals in this field.
There are many opportunities for adults, juniors, and interns. Volunteers will be required to fill out an application, and attend orientation before joining fellow volunteers at the Center.
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The Wildlife Center admits many injured birds of prey throughout the year including: Red-Tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, Peregrine Falcons, and even Bald Eagles. However, it is very rare to see a Merlin Falcon in the wild let alone to be lucky enough to see one up close. 
A female Merlin was brought to the center on April 1, 2009 from downtown Cleveland; this is the first time that this small bird of prey has ever been cared for at the center. After being x-rayed and assessed by a vet that works with the Wildlife Center, she was treated for a coracoid fracture. This is a slow healing fracture that requires a bandaged wing and careful physical therapy to ensure flexibility and muscle strength. After almost a month of rehabilitation she was successfully released.
If you would like to schedule a program and have a visit from one of our animal ambassadors
call registration at
440-358-7275.
Occasionally animals sustain permanent injuries
and cannot return to the wild. These animals may become permanent residents or Animal Ambassadors for the Center and assist the staff in teaching about wildlife and conservation issues. 
