ENCINITAS–Baby wildlife season has been a busy time at the San Diego Wildlife Center in Carlsbad. With the release of its last patients, the Wildlife Center will close its doors.
When plans for the Wildlife Center were first put in place in 2016, there were limited resources in North San Diego County for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. But today, Project Wildlife has a new state-of-the-art facility with increased capacity, and San Diego Humane Society has two North County campuses that serve as drop-off locations for wildlife. Additionally, there are now three private animal hospitals in North County that accept sick, injured or orphaned wildlife after hours. The network of wildlife care providers has grown in the past three years.
“Closing the Wildlife Center was not an easy decision nor was it one we came to rapidly. It was discussed over numerous Board meetings over several months,” said Michael Berg, Board Chair. “Unfortunately, the Board came to the realization that our goal that the Wildlife Center would become self-sustaining was not being reached.”
The Board created a closing schedule that makes patient care a priority. We have identified wildlife partners, in addition to Project Wildlife, who will accept patient transfers. We are confident that we can transfer all patients without endangering lives.
Permanent closure will take place on August 31. No new wildlife will be accepted at the Wildlife Center as of July 15. Information on where to take wildlife can be found at www.sdwildlife.org.