Have you ever come across a wild animal that appears in distress or injured? I sure have, and I didn’t know what to do when it happened. Today we will learn about 5 wildlife rescue & rehabilitation centers in the state of Kansas that are prepared to assist you in helping injured or orphaned wildlife.
Before doing anything with a wild animal, make sure to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center first so they can walk you through the steps that ensure a happy outcome. Hope you enjoy!
1. Operation Wildlife (OWL)
Operation Wildlife (OWL) has been serving the communities in and around Kansas City, KS, since 1989. Their facility is located just west of Kansas City. They are the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state according to Kansas Wildlife and Parks (KDWPT), serving nine Kansas counties. They have impressive rehabilitation results, averaging a 69% release rate which is 20% higher than the national average.
OWL strives to offer the best care possible for the wildlife they receive. They provide housing, professional medical attention (including surgery, physical therapy, diagnosis & treatment, etc.), natural food (or as close a substitute to the animal’s diet in the wild), and companionship for young animals (“siblings” or foster parents). They operate out of a 4,000+ square-foot facility that houses the technology and resources they need to provide wildlife rehabilitation.
They are funded completely by donations, so if you feel inclined to support them you can do so here. Additionally they are always accepting volunteers to help with their work. Click here to learn more about volunteering.
If you find wildlife in need of assistance near Kansas City, contact Operation Wildlife at this number: (785) 542-3625. Make sure to keep pets and children away, and do NOT feed or water the animal.
2. Great Bend Zoo & Raptor Center
Great Bend Zoo & Raptor Center allows for people to bring in injured raptors for treatment and rehabilitation. They are located in Great Bend, almost dead-center of the state. A raptor is a type of bird that catches live prey, so this category includes birds such as hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons. They have a team that specializes in everything to do with raptors so the bird in need will be in good hands.
They do not come to pick up birds, so if you come across a raptor in need of assistance you will have to bring it to their facility located at 2123 Main Street, Great Bend, Kansas 67530. Also try to give them a heads up so they can prepare for your arrival; you can reach them at (620)-793-4226.
Before doing anything with a bird you believe to be injured or in distress, check out this page of their website. They tell you when NOT to interfere because in some scenarios you would do more harm to the bird by trying to move or feed it. The page also has instructions on how to correctly approach, handle and transport a bird with the least amount of trauma.
Finally, this page has a slideshow depicting images of some common birds of prey found in the state of Kansas to help you with identification.
3. Milford Nature Center
The Milford Nature Center will accept orphaned or injured animals into their care for rehabilitation. They are located off of Interstate 70 in between Topeka and Salina. They want to ensure that all animals remain safe and healthy, and because of this they want people to know for sure that animals they find are in need of rescue. Sometimes it is better to leave them be.
Before taking any action, they recommend you call them at (785)-238-5323 or (785)-238-3108 during business hours (9am to 4:30pm). To reach a rehabilitator after-hours or on Winter weekends, call either (785) 223-2273 or (785) 238-6794. They can talk you through the process and advise you on whether to interfere with the animal or not. If a rescue is necessary, you will likely be asked to bring the animal into their facility located here: 3415 Hatchery Dr, Junction City, KS 66441.
This page has some advice on what to do when faced with common scenarios where you will encounter wildlife in distress.
4. Hutchinson Zoo
The Hutchinson Zoo, located about an hour drive north-west of Wichita, treats around 500 animals in their rehabilitation center every year. Like the other rehabilitation centers, they encourage people to make sure that the animal is in need of assistance and that their actions will not harm the creature.
They accept all wildlife except for the following due to their high chances of carrying dangerous and transmissible diseases: domestic animals (pets), white-tailed deer, raccoons, pigeons, and skunks.
The Cargill Wildcare Center at the zoo helps orphaned and injured wildlife. Before bringing in an animal give them a call at (620)-694-2672 to confirm that they can accept the animal and to allow them time to prepare for your arrival. Their address is: 6 Emerson Loop E Hutchinson, KS 67501. They are open daily from 10am to 4:45pm.
5. David Traylor Zoo of Emporia
The David Traylor Zoo of Emporia offers wildlife rehabilitation for the counties of Lyons, Chase, and Coffey. They believe in furthering the public’s education on animals, supporting conservation efforts, and providing recreation for local families.
The zoo is located in the city of Emporia, in between Kansas City and Wichita. Their page which I link in the beginning of this paragraph does not contain information about their rehabilitation, but they have current permits to run a rehabilitation center obtained from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
Always make sure to call ahead whenever bringing animals to a rehabilitation center, and confirm that the animal is indeed in need of help. Their main number is (620)-341-4365 and their secondary is (620)-344-4363. The zoo’s address is: 75 Soden Road Emporia, Kansas 66801. Their hours are 10am to 4:30pm, daily.
The map above shows where each of these centers is located so you have an idea of the closest one to you.
All of the rehabilitation centers listed above have obtained permits from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks that allow them to operate as safe havens for wildlife in the state. When you do come across wildlife and consider rescuing them, make sure that your actions will have a positive impact on the animal.
If in doubt, call a rehabilitation center and ask a professional’s opinion. Thank you for joining me today, and keep exploring!
