Bobcat. Courtesy photoNMWC News:
ESPANOLA ― New Mexico Wildlife Center, New Mexico’s only wildlife hospital, is holding its free Annual Open House 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.
The Open House is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with native New Mexico wildlife.
New Mexico Wildlife Center is in its 29th year of providing rehabilitation services to native New Mexico wildlife and educational programming to the human inhabitants of the state. Each year, New Mexico Wildlife Center takes in more than 700 animals, from songbirds to eagles and squirrels to bears. As Baby Season progresses, New Mexico Wildlife Center will take in over 200 orphaned animals.
Katherine Eagleson, executive director, sums up the work this way, “The job of New Mexico Wildlife Center is to make sure wildlife thrive in our state. Our wildlife hospital saves many hundreds of animals every year. But the real life savers are the people who live, work and play in our spectacular and varied habitats. Come celebrate with us, get a good look at the animals you share this landscape with. Get involved in an activity that will benefit all the species that live here, including humans. This Center doesn’t belong to the people who run it, it belongs to the people who support it.”
Over 10 of the Center’s raptors as well as several reptiles will be on handler’s arms for up-close viewing and educational information. Tours of the educational animals, including eagles, hawks, bobcats and owls will be available. Children’s nature-related activities will be provided including a scavenger hunt and nature craft projects.
Representatives from the Santa Fe Master Gardeners’ Association will be on hand to explain the work they have been doing with New Mexico Wildlife Center. Refreshments will be available. There is no charge for this event.
New Mexico Wildlife Center is located five miles north of Pojoaque at #19 Wheat Street in Arroyo Seco. For additional information on New Mexico Wildlife Center’s Annual Open House, contact Katherine Eagleson or visit www.newmexicowildlifecenter.org.
About New Mexico Wildlife Center:
New Mexico Wildlife Center in northern Santa Fe County, is New Mexico’s only wildlife hospital serving all allowed endemic species. Thirty-five non-releasable educational birds and mammals including eagles, bobcats and owls reside at the Center and are the centerpiece of over 100 educational programs and over 400 public tours each year at the Center and throughout northern New Mexico. These programs and tours reach about 5,000 adults and children each year. Additionally, the Science and Education program provides in-depth, year-long science education, summer camps and citizen science programs to local schools and the public.
The Center is staffed by nine employees and more than 70 volunteers, who give over 5,000 hours of their time annually. New Mexico Wildlife Center is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization whose primary funding comes from individual donors and private foundations. For additional information, contact New Mexico Wildlife Center at 505.753.9505 or visit www.newmexicowildlifecenter.org.
