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.
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: Under state permits Lake Metroparks is not allowed to rehabilitate
skunks, raccoons, deer, coyote, and mute swans. The Wildlife Center not take domestic and exotic animals which require specialized care. Call the Wildlife Center Helpline (440-256-2131) immediately for advice and referral numbers.
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.
An adult Barred Owl was brought to the Wildlife Center on January 25, 2010. It was found in Kirtland Hills on the ground. On examination it was found that
the owl was alert and defensive; however, had trauma and blood
in both of its eyes. The owl was immediately put on a steroid which reduces any swelling in the eyes and helps clear up any blood.
After the treatment, the owl was not responding as well as we hoped. It was then taken to Dr. Grezenda, who specializes in eye trauma at Northview Animal Clinic. She confirmed that both of the owl’s retinas were torn. She recommended putting the bird on five more days of steroids to see if there would be any further improvement. On February 2, 2010, the care staff re-examined the owl and at this point we did not see much of an improvement.
We could tell the owl could see us, however the reaction time seemed slow. As a last ditch effort, we transferred the owl into one of our large outdoor flight cages on February 6, 2010 to see how it would maneuver in the cage.
The owl flew remarkably well and landed on a perch without any hesitation. To test its eyesight further we fed the owl live mice to make sure it would be able to hunt. The owl passed this test also, catching all the live mice.
After a few weeks of careful observation, it was confirmed that the Barred Owl was able to be released. On March 12, 2010
we took it back to where it came from and released it back into the wild.
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:
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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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. 
An adult Barred Owl was brought to the Wildlife Center on January 25, 2010. It was found in Kirtland Hills on the ground. On examination it was found that 
After the treatment, the owl was not responding as well as we hoped. It was then taken to Dr. Grezenda, who specializes in eye trauma at Northview Animal Clinic. She confirmed that both of the owl’s retinas were torn. She recommended putting the bird on five more days of steroids to see if there would be any further improvement. On February 2, 2010, the care staff re-examined the owl and at this point we did not see much of an improvement. 
The owl flew remarkably well and landed on a perch without any hesitation. To test its eyesight further we fed the owl live mice to make sure it would be able to hunt. The owl passed this test also, catching all the live mice. 
If you would like to schedule a program and have a visit from one of our animal ambassadors
call registration at
440-358-7275.
