Project Wildlife
Caring for San Diego’s Wild Animals Since 1972
Have you found injured wildlife?
If you’ve found a wild animal who seems to need assistance, the first step is to determine whether they truly need our intervention. Our Wildlife Help Hub is here to assist, offering step-by-step guidance, safe handling tips and instructions for bringing animals to our care.
Who We Are
Project Wildlife is one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation programs in the U.S., caring for more than 10,000 injured, orphaned and sick animals each year. We’ve helped over 320 species — from hummingbirds and squirrels to bobcats and bears — providing lifesaving care and preparing them to return safely to the wild.
The mission of our Project Wildlife program is to improve the quality of life for local wildlife and the community as the primary resource for animal rehabilitation and education. Through complex surgeries, lifesaving medical care, safe places to recover from illness and enriching habitats to build survival skills, Project Wildlife not only offers healing — but ensures animals are prepared for success in their native environment.
What Is Wildlife Rehabilitation?
Wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and care of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in an effort to release them back to their natural habitat.
Project Wildlife is permitted to rehabilitate native California wildlife and migratory birds through permits granted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. We operate under strict protocols set forth by our permitting officials, science-backed research, veterinary consultation and years of experience to make the best decision for a positive outcome with each 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 for any wildlife kept more than 48 hours. If you find a wild animal in need of care, do not attempt to provide care yourself. If you are unsure if an animal is in need of rehabilitation, our Wildlife Help Hub provides set-by-step guidance.
If a wild animal is injured, every moment may be critical, so please bring the animal to Project Wildlife or to another permitted wildlife rehabilitation center in your area as soon as possible.
Our Facilities
Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center
Located at our San Diego Campus, this state-of-the-art facility is specially designed to reduce stress, speed recovery and give animals the best chance of returning to the wild.
Ramona Campus
Our 13-acre campus expands care for native predators like bobcats, mountain lions, bears and birds of prey, featuring medical facilities and spacious, species-specific enclosures.
Get Involved
Your support helps vulnerable wildlife thrive. Together, we are creating a more humane San Diego for wildlife — and giving them the best chance at returning to their native homes.
Coexisting with Wildlife
To help San Diegans live in harmony with our beautifully diverse wildlife, we offer extensive online resources and tips for coexisting with a variety of species — including ways to keep our wildlife friends safe, humane deterrents and more.
Gulls – Renesting and Reuniting
Baby birds are most successful when raised by their parents in the wild. These babies receive the most natural and appropriate nutrition from the parents, learn where and how to forage or hunt, are taught how to recognize and avoid predators and other dangers, and are overall more adaptable and resilient when raised by parents in the wild.
How to Stop Wildlife from Moving In
Here are some tips to maintain a harmonious relationship with native wildlife.
Hummingbird: Coexisting with Wildlife
There are seven species of hummingbirds in San Diego County and 80% of those brought to Project Wildlife are Anna’s hummingbirds. It’s important to know that hummingbirds need food often and have to stay warm.
Hummingbirds – Renesting and Reuniting
Baby birds are most successful when raised by their parents in the wild. These babies receive the most natural and appropriate nutrition from the parents, learn where and how to forage or hunt, are taught how to recognize and avoid predators and other dangers, and are overall more adaptable and resilient when raised by parents in the wild.
