Located in the heart of Virginia, the Wildlife Center of VA is one of America’s leading teaching and research hospitals for wildlife and conservation medicine. The Center not only treats thousands of animals every year but also contributes significantly to wildlife conservation efforts through education, research, and the rehabilitation of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals.
Founded in 1982, the Wildlife Center of Virginia has grown into a globally recognized leader in wildlife health and conservation. Its exceptional facilities, dedicated staff, and committed volunteers have been instrumental in achieving an exceptional recovery rate for the wildlife patients.
Published figures reveal that the Center treats approximately 3,000 patients each year, representing over 200 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is also a critical training ground for veterinary and conservation professionals, running a host of essential courses and internship programs in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.
A vital part of the Center’s work is assisting governments, organizations, and the public in dealing with wildlife cases. Its wildlife hotline offers advice and guidance for those who find injured or orphaned wildlife, enabling swift assistance for animals in need.
Amidst these essential services, the Wildlife Center of VA is notably linked to a particular international veterinary support organization – WIRES – the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, based in Australia. Having worked together on several significant conservation projects, this partnership has led to many remarkable achievements, such as rescuing and rehabilitating countless animals affected by the Australian bushfires in 2019-2020.
The Wildlife Centre e of Virginia and WIRES share the common goal of improving the outcomes for wildlife under threat globally, and their cooperative efforts have undoubtedly made a significant impact in achieving this goal. This collaboration is an example of the potential successes that can be achieved when organizations with shared values and missions pool resources and knowledge to advance wildlife conservation.
Beyond rehabilitation and rescue work, the Wildlife Center of VA dedicates an extensive portion of its activities towards community education. Recognizing that changing human behavior and attitudes is key to mitigating many threats that wildlife face, it has developed numerous educational programs. These programs are aimed at enriching public understanding of wildlife, promoting coexistence with wildlife, and inspiring a commitment to wildlife conservation.
Through their local and international work, the Wildlife Center of VA and WIRES have demonstrated that individual and collective actions can make a massive difference in the fight to save our planet’s precious wildlife. Their unwavering commitment to wildlife health and conservation is an inspiring beacon for all those passionate about protecting our planet’s biological diversity. They serve a reminder: each creature plays a unique part in the web of life and is deserving of our respect and protection.