Rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned native Ohio wildlife. Animal intake by appointment only.
Each year, injured or orphaned animals receive first aid and rehabilitation at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. Patients include common backyard wildlife such as rabbits, squirrels and songbirds, and uncommon species such as the peregrine falcon and bobcat. Our goal is to return healthy wildlife back to the wild. Special attention is given to animals whose populations are in decline.
Our focus is the rehabilitation of native Ohio wildlife species.
Under state permits, the Wildlife Center is not permitted to rehabilitate skunks, raccoons, deer, coyote, mute swans and red-eared sliders.
The Wildlife Center does NOT accept domestic (i.e., farm animals, cats), exotic (i.e., ball pythons, parrots), and non-native species (i.e., English house sparrows, European starlings).
The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center accepts animals by appointment ONLY, between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. If you have an injured and/or orphaned animal, you must first call the Wildlife Hotline at 440-256-1404 (option 2) to discuss your concerns and determine if an appointment is necessary. Only animals booked with an appointment can be accepted and cared for. Please note: some appointments may be scheduled for the next day.
Please follow our animal acceptance protocols:
The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center is in need of enrichment items, first aid products and nutritional supplies. Gift cards are greatly appreciated. You can donate items to the Wildlife Center through our Amazon Wish List. Your purchases are shipped with contactless delivery directly to the center.
Click here to view online. Click here for printable PDF.
Lake Metroparks Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native Ohio wildlife species. These residents are under the permanent care of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibit independent survival. Animal Ambassadors allow us to educate the public about conservation.
We invite you to support our mission of nature education, conservation and stewardship through “adopting” one of our Animal Ambassadors. Click here to Adopt an Animal.
What is enrichment? It’s physical and mental stimulation for wildlife to try to mimic their natural behaviors. This is done by utilizing all of their different senses (taste, smell, touch, etc.). It keeps animals in captivity from getting bored, exercises their muscles and stimulates their minds.
Springtime is the best time to watch for nest building and the arrival of young. Backyard wildlife need very little from us, as long as we remember to give them the peace and quiet they need to successfully raise their young.
The most important thing to remember is that wild parents know what’s best for their young. Many of them leave their babies alone as they venture off to find nourishment. Parents hanging out around the location of their young only attract predators to its location, but don’t worry, they are usually not far away and keep a watchful eye. We don’t need to get involved! Young animals don’t have a scent. If the parents have hidden them in the grass or elsewhere, predators will not be attracted to them. Keep a safe distance so you don’t attract predators and so you don’t scare the mother away. Wildlife parents are very devoted to raising their young, and it is unlikely for them to abandon them. Click here to determine if a baby animal found alone is truly orphaned.
Click here for more information. Please use caution when handling wild animals. The only time that humans should interfere is if the animal is injured, sick or truly orphaned.
If an animal is found with any of the following, it is in need of assistance:
For additional resources that may help you, here is a list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators in the state of Ohio or contact your local wildlife officer for your best options.
Watching native wildlife is a treat! Springtime is the best time to watch for nest building and the arrival of young. It is likely that you will encounter a baby animal in your yard at some point. Backyard wildlife needs very little from us—remember to give them the peace and quiet they need to successfully raise their young.
These baby birds are healthy and vibrant. They are okay to leave alone if found.