Project Wildlife
The Project Wildlife program has been dedicated to educating the community about wildlife as well as providing injured, orphaned and sick wild animals a second chance at life since 1972. This commitment to helping wild animals has grown tremendously since the 2014 merger with San Diego Humane Society. Project Wildlife is proud to be one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation programs in the country.
Who We Are
The Project Wildlife program stands alone as the primary resource in San Diego County for the majority of wildlife to receive help when they critically need it. As our human population grows, we have less natural space for wildlife, which dramatically increases the need for rehabilitative care and conservation. Every year, Project Wildlife provides for more than 12,000 wild animals – from raptors to squirrels and ducks – the best opportunity to receive the nurturing care they need to survive, whether it’s specialized veterinary care, injury rehabilitation or simply a safe place to mature.
What Is Wildlife Rehabilitation?
If you've found an injured animal, please bring them to Project Wildlife.
Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and care of injured, orphaned or sick wild animals in effort to release them back into the wild.
Project Wildlife is permitted to rehabilitate wildlife by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. We operate under a strict guide of protocols, research and veterinary consultation in order to make the best decision for a positive outcome with each individual animal in our care.
Rehabilitating wildlife without the appropriate permits can cause potentially fatal damage to the animal and is punishable by fines up to $25,000 if any wild animal is kept for more than 48 hours. If you find a wild animal in need of care, please do not attempt to provide care yourself. Every moment is critical, so please bring the animal to a permitted wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible.
Project Wildlife Stories
Wake Up with Wildlife: Wildlife Advocacy
Learn what goes into creating and passing laws to protect and advocate for wildlife with our Director of Government Relations, Julianna Tetlow, and the President of Fearless Advocacy, Jennifer Fearing. Read More
Wake Up With Wildlife: San Diego's Migrant Bird Life
Twice each year, in one of nature’s most amazing events, billions of birds make enormous and hazardous journeys from their breeding grounds to wintering areas. Some travel as much as 25,000 miles every year, from the high Arctic to the tip of South America and back. Of the more than 500 bird species found in San Diego, almost 2/3 of them migrate into or out of the area every spring and fall. Join avid birder Stan Walens, who has collected almost 40 years of data on seabird populations in San Diego, talk about how the fascinating process of migration works and the benefits and problems it presents. Read More
Wake Up With Wildlife: Project Coyote
Join Project Coyote Ranching with Wildlife Coordinator, Keli Hendricks, for a lively presentation about coexisting with coyotes. Topics will include coyote safety, education, and programs and resources available to help residents and communities better understand and coexist with our wild neighbors. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Who's Watching Who
Dive into the wild and wonderful images of wildlife captured through San Diego River Park Foundation's camera monitoring program. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Seeds for Songbirds
It’s that time of year again, baby season!! Each year, San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife takes in up to 13,000 orphaned and injured wild animals with the hopes of returning them to their native habitats. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Peninsular Pronghorn Antelope
Join us as we learn about the endangered Peninsular Pronghorn Antelope in Baja and what conservation efforts San Diego Zoo/Safari park are doing to help! Read More
Love Is in the Air!
Local wildlife may cross your path during breeding season. These tips will help to avoid unwanted love from wildlife while animals are seeking out mates. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Case Reports
Overview of the most common injuries and diseases seen at the Bahde Wildlife Center. Read More
Humane Deterrents for Rodents
San Diego Humane Society offers proven humane solutions that help to deter rodents. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: All About Raptors
While most people don't think about raptors as migratory birds, in fact, many species of raptors do migrate. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Fun with Bats
Bats are unexpectedly interesting little mammals. At first glance they appear to be mice with wings but bats are not rodents, and bats are critical to ecosystems and to many food crops. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Perks of Pests
Living in San Diego, we are considered one of the top 10 most biodiverse cities in the world, usually coming across wildlife on a daily basis. Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Peregrine Falcons
Volunteer naturalist Don Endicott's presentation “The Peregrine Falcon, Fastest Animal in the World.” Read More
Wake Up with Wildlife: Sea Turtles of California
The fact that there are thriving sea turtle populations along California’s coast is one of our State’s best-kept biodiversity secrets. Read More
Getting to Know Our Ambassadors: Kwa'pai
We travel throughout the county with our education animals, providing safe and fun wildlife encounters. Read More
Getting to Know Our Ambassadors: Guinevere
We travel throughout the county with our education animals, providing safe and fun wildlife encounters. Read More
Getting to Know Our Ambassadors: Casper
We travel throughout the county with our education animals, providing safe and fun wildlife encounters. Read More
Announcing Project Wildlife - Ramona!
We are welcoming a real San Diego animal welfare gem to our family: the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona. Read More
Getting to Know Our Ambassadors: Chuck
We travel throughout the county with our education animals, providing safe and fun wildlife encounters. Read More
When to Intervene
Learning when it is appropriate to assist a wild animal and what steps to take. Read More
This coyote was trapped for 2 weeks
Trapped in a shed, she was emaciated, dehydrated and unable to walk. Read More
This poor opossum needed a dentist!
Luckily, this opie was brought to our Wildlife Center. Read More
Wildlife Center
San Diego Humane Society will be opening a new state-of-the-art Wildlife Center. Read More
Food Hide-and-Seek
How do different wildlife harvest and store supplies for the winter? Read More
Our Nocturnal Neighbors
Let’s shed some light on the specialized senses and fascinating behaviors of some amazingly adaptive animals. Read More
How to Stop Wildlife from Moving In
Here are some tips to help wildlife not turn into pests. Read More
