Mission: Relieve the stress of human impact on wildlife populations through education & wildlife rehabilitation
Each year, nearly 2,000 injured or orphaned animals receive first aid and rehabilitation at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. Patients include backyard wildlife such as rabbits and songbirds, and uncommon species such as the peregrine falcon and bald eagle. Our goal is to return healthy wildlife back to the wild. Special attention is given to animals whose populations are in decline.
Lake Metroparks now has two webcams providing a look at wildlife being cared for by staff at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. One shows a bobcat kitten presently in rehabilitation, and the other shows Apollo, our permanent bald eagle resident. Click here to view. The webcams were funded in part by the Lake Parks Foundation.
You can now donate items to the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center through our Amazon Wish List. Your purchases are shipped directly to the center.
by Tammy O’Neil, Wildlife Care Manager & Marilyn Levand, Wildlife Education Manager Watching native wildlife is a treat even in our own backyard! Springtime is the best time to watch for nest building and the arrival of young.
Backyard wildlife need very little from us, as long as we remember to give them the peace and quiet they need to successfully raise their young.
The most important thing to remember is that wild parents know what’s best for their young. We do not need to get involved! Young animals do not have a scent. If the parents have hidden them in the grass or elsewhere, predators will not be attracted to them.
Here are some suggestions for a wildlife-friendly backyard:
What types of animals are cared for by the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center?
I found an injured bird or mammal. Should I bring it in? What happens if I do?
A bird just hit my window! What now?
Is the animal or bird I found really an orphan?
There is an orphaned fawn in my yard, should I bring it in?
What should I do with a wildlife emergency after 5 pm?
Your safety is our concern!
When at home or visiting the parks, remember to keep animals wild and healthy by not feeding them.
Feeding wildlife creates unhealthy conditions. Many people find it enjoyable to go to a park to feed the animals. Animals congregate in areas where they are fed, causing several problems. They exceed the carrying capacity of their habitats and become overcrowded. High levels of fecal matter are concentrated in one area, which causes unsanitary conditions for animals and people. Diseases can be passed from one animal to another when areas are overcrowded.
Processed foods such as bread, popcorn and cereal are junk food to wild animals. They lack many of the nutrients the animals need in order to stay healthy.
Feeding wildlife causes loss of wild instincts. Wild animals that are hand-fed can lose their natural instincts to migrate and search for food. They become dependent on humans for food and lose their healthy fear of them. Hand-fed animals lose their ability to care for themselves.
Wildlife education at Penitentiary Glen Reservation offers a wide range of programs that cover natural habitats and the animals that live in them. These community outreach programs are a fun way to learn about wildlife and how to respect the environment we live in. For more information, call 440-358-7275.
Lake Metroparks' Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native Ohio wildlife species. These residents are under the permanent care of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibit independent survival. Animal Ambassadors allow us to educate the public about conservation. Take a walk through our Wildlife Yard to see our amazing ambassadors (open 9 am to 5 pm daily). Smoking is prohibited in the Wildlife Yard.
The Adopt an Animal program is a unique opportunity for family, friends, classrooms and scouts to see native Ohio wildlife up close. Click here to learn more and to apply online.
Would you like to take part in our mission by donating to the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center? Supporting the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation can be a satisfying, rewarding experience.
Your cash donation will go toward food, medical treatment and professional attention for the animals in our care. Cash donations are accepted by our front desk receptionist. Credit card donations are processed through the Registration Department at Concord Woods Nature Park. Call 440-385-7275. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center accepts new or gently used items from our Wish List. First aid products, nutritional supplies and gift cards are greatly appreciated. You can donate items to the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center through our Amazon Wish List. Your purchases are shipped directly to the center.
Click here to download the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center Wish List.
Click here to download the Holiday Wish List.
Get close to wildlife through volunteering! Lake Metroparks volunteers help wildlife by surveying animals and birds through Citizen Science projects, restoring and maintaining habitats and caring for animals at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. For more information, call the volunteer office at 440-585-3041 x6418. Click here for information about our college internship program.
The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center operates under state permits from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and federal permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Care staff has professional training in wildlife first aid, care and education. The staff works closely with generous and talented local veterinarians.