New Animal Ambassador Mesquite the Coyote will meet the public 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6 at the New Mexico Wildlife Center Open House.Courtesy photo 
New Animal Ambassador Pepper the raccoon will meet the public 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6 at the New Mexico Wildlife Center Open House.Courtesy photoNMWC News:
ESPAÑOLA ― New Mexico Wildlife Center (NMWC) will introduce two new Ambassador Animals and their brand new enclosures at this year’s annual Open House.
The two new animals, a raccoon and a coyote, add a new and diverse element to the non-profit’s education team, which until now consisted largely of birds of prey and reptiles.
They came to the Center through the organization’s partnership with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. NMWC accepted the animals along with the unanticipated challenge of raising additional funds to design and build two new enclosures in addition to the ongoing cost of training and caring for them.
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to give these animals a new home. While they represent common species that most people are familiar with, they are also very misunderstood and often maligned,” NMWC Executive Director Melissa Moore said. “We love having the chance to work with and display these very intelligent and adaptable creatures. We hope everyone will come see Pepper and Mesquite in their new homes.”
Other attractions at the two-day Open House event include:
- Live animal presentations;
- Flight demonstrations;
- Games and activities for all ages;
- Wildlife hospital tours;
- Frito pie fundraiser; and
- And more.
The New Mexico Wildlife Center Open House is 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 & 6.
Although there is no charge for the event, there is a suggested donation of $5 per vehicle. This event is a fundraiser for New Mexico Wildlife Center, a non-profit organization supported entirely through donations and grants.
NMWC is located at 19 Wheat Street in Espanola. For more details, call Dawn at 505.753.9505, or email dawn@newmexicowildlifecenter.org.
Wish lists can be found at:
Pepper the raccoon’s new enclosure. Courtesy/NMWC