Center for Wildlife

06/20/2026

NOW HIRING! Nature-Based Educator !

Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine is looking for a hard-working, public-friendly, wildlife-loving human to join our education team. Our Nature-Based Educators are the face of Center for Wildlife...and they have a job that never gets boring...and includes:

-Engaging the public with educational programs at CFW and throughout the region
-Providing quality ambassador animal care & enrichment each day at CFW
-Supervising interns and volunteers to help us achieve our mission

Finally, this position includes training to enable you to work with birds of prey (owls, hawks and falcons), reptiles and amphibians!

Interested?? Learn more here: https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/internships-apprenticeships-career

06/19/2026

Does anyone recognize this baby? Let us know in the comments what species you think this hatchling belongs to!

Just about a week ago, this baby bird was found abandoned in a parking lot, next to its deceased sibling who had been hit by a car 💔 Thankfully though, the surviving hatchling was doing alright. His rescuer transported him to our clinic because he was so young, and he got a full check-up to ensure there were no hidden injuries. Our clinic team confirmed that he was healthy and unscathed by the nearby car strike. They are now making sure he's eating well and staying on-track to continue maturing and getting ready for release! His attitude is bright and alert, and we look forward to releasing him as soon as he's old enough!

If you'd like to help our busy clinic team care for this hatchling, along with over 2,500 local wild animals this year, you can donate now at: www.thecenterforwildlife.org/donate 💚

06/19/2026

A big thank you to our friends Wild Birds Unlimited for their generous, helpful donation of a fabulous bird feeder set-up for the bird blind on our accessible trail here on the CFW campus!.
Also...keep your eyes posted on our upcoming events page this summer for a joint program with the Somersworth/Dover WBU location as well. We're looking forward to a fruitful partnership!.

06/19/2026

✨ Ambassador Appreciation Friday! ✨

This week’s spotlight is on… Galileo 🦉🤎

Galileo’s journey to becoming an ambassador at CFW began in 2006 after an injury left him blind in his left eye. Because of this permanent injury, he was unable to survive independently in the wild and was deemed non-releasable. Since then, Galileo has become one of our most beloved ambassadors, helping educate thousands of guests that visit the center about native wildlife, raptor conservation, and the importance of wildlife rehabilitation. He has even helped foster orphaned owlets that were later successfully released back into the wild.

Galileo is a Great Horned Owl, one of the largest owl species found in New England and among the most powerful predators in North America. Often nicknamed the “Tiger of the Night,” Great Horned Owls have one of the broadest diets of any North American owl, feeding on rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even large insects. Despite weighing only 2–6 pounds, their talons can exert nearly 300 psi, allowing them to take down surprisingly large prey.

Great Horned Owls are habitat generalists and can be found in forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, and even suburban areas. Unlike many birds, they do not build their own nests and instead take over nests built by hawks, crows, herons, and other large birds.

Galileo has become an incredible ambassador for his species, helping guests learn about owl adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and the important role raptors play in healthy ecosystems. His story is a reminder that even when wildlife cannot return to the wild, they can still inspire people to care about conservation and coexistence with the natural world.

📝 Want to support Galileo’s care?

You can sponsor him through our Adopt an Ambassador Program! It’s a meaningful way to connect with one of our non-releasable animals and support the work we do every day. We offer three adoption levels: Level 1 ($30), Level 2 ($50), and Level 3 ($100), each with its own special package. Adoptions also make great gifts for friends or relatives!

👉 Learn more: https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/adopt-an-ambassador

06/18/2026

Want to learn more about the Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza? Hear what CFW Executive Director, Kristen Lamb, has to say about the persistence of the strain, and our experience with it here at Center for Wildlife.

Thank you to Spectrum Local News for covering such an important issue, and giving a voice to the wildlife who's being affected!

Find the full article at:

The disease has been known to jump to cattle elsewhere in the country.

06/18/2026

Endangered: At serious risk of going extinct. Unfortunately, Blanding’s turtles are listed as endangered in Maine and New Hampshire, and threatened in Massachusetts. Why? Although they have walked the earth for approximately 15 million years, in just the past 100 years, habitat destruction due to residential and commercial development along with road mortality have driven them to the brink of extinction.

Last June, a local individual who is actually working on creating turtle nesting habitat, was horrified to accidentally dig up a nest of Blanding’s eggs. Turtle eggs are different than bird eggs, and their yolk sac and essentially umbilical cords are fixed to the shell. If they are moved or turned this usually cuts off this cord and they become unviable, or deceased. Our team got them into our specialized incubator that matches turtle nest temperature, humidity, drainage, etc. Miraculously, 8 out of the 9 hatched!

In collaboration with ME Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife conservation efforts, our clinic team overwintered and “head started” these hatchlings for a year. Turtles have a 0-28% survivability rate their first year of life, and Blandings turtles cannot lay eggs until they are 12-20 years old, so each adult that can contribute to the population is critical.

We were honored to release these 1 year old hatchlings back to their ancestral nesting site last week. Farewell, amazing and precious turtles!

Did you know? We receive no government funding, and receive only 1% of charitable giving from individuals, local businesses and private foundations. These lives wouldn’t exist without the supporters who fund our experienced team, the lights, heat, specialized food and equipment and everything that goes into making this moment possible. We’re down to the last $25,000 out of $150,000 to raise by June 30th. Consider a donation to our Spring Appeal today!

06/18/2026

🧐 Can You Name This Marine Mammal?

This coastal heavyweight can grow to nearly 10 feet long, weigh over 770 pounds, and has a distinctive "Roman nose" that earned its scientific name, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig." Already know the species? Then put your marine mammal knowledge to the test!

#1) These marine mammals have super-sensitive whiskers called vibrissae. What do they help detect?

A) The wake and vibrations of swimming prey
B) Changes in moonlight
C) The salt content of seawater

#2) During breeding season, males perform a surprising behavior to establish dominance and attract females. What do they do?

A) Clap their flippers underwater
B) Build sand mounds on beaches
C) Sing underwater vocalizations

#3) These marine mammals are remarkable divers. How do they help conserve oxygen during deep dives?

A) They store extra air in specialized pouches
B) They dramatically slow their heart rate
C) They temporarily shut down their digestive system

🦭 Bonus Question!

Seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds, meaning "fin-footed" marine mammals. Can you name one major difference between them?

Comment below with your guesses! Bonus points if you can name more than one difference 👇 Answers will be revealed later today!

06/17/2026

Plan your visit to Center for Wildlife today! Since 1986, we've been providing medical care to thousands of wild animals while also offering a welcoming place for the community to slow down, explore, and connect with the natural world. We do all this with no state or federal funding, so in addition to an up-close wildlife experience, your admission fee goes to support this critical work!

We invite you to come spend the day with us and explore our Nature Center, Animal Ambassador Village, forest trails, and more! We are open to the public Thursdays - Sundays from 10am - 4pm year-round.

Whether you're a New Englander, visiting from away, or just passing through, we'd love to see you at The Center for Wildlife, connecting with the natural world we all share, and inspiring the conservationist within!

🦉Learn more & book now! Go to: https://www.thecenterforwildlife.org/nature-center-visits

📽Watch the full video, generously donated by Wind Media Co , to see all that Center for Wildlife has to offer! Go to: https://youtu.be/SHsxYxz1QfA?si=SbdddWGGlQ-pPyoh

Welcome to The Center for Wildlife, a hidden gem in Cape Neddick, M...

06/17/2026

We are excited to announce that Northern Explorer Supply has restocked their wildlife t-shirts! Snag a cool nature-themed shirt created by Liberty Graphics (perfect for summer) while raising money for Center for Wildlife! Northern Explorer Supply will be donating 10% of all sales from these three shirt designs to CFW.

You can find the "Field Guide to Owls Adult Shirt”, "Forest Scene Youth Shirt”, and "Turtle Circle Adult Shirt" online at:

10% of every sale benefits the intensive and caring wildlife rehabilitation and public education work that the Center for Wildlife does for countless wild creatures and their indigenous roles within our region's ecosystem.

06/17/2026

🎨 Pattern Making: Nature as My Muse at Mount A

Join Center for Wildlife at Mount Agamenticus for a creative morning exploring the connection between wildlife, art, and the natural world. Set against the beautiful summit habitat of Mount A, this hands-on program invites participants to observe nature through the lens of color, pattern, movement, and camouflage.

During the program, guests will be inspired by Center for Wildlife’s Ambassador animals while learning how animals and their adaptations have influenced artistic expression. Together, we’ll explore how patterns appear in the wild, how they help animals survive, and how those same natural designs can inspire our own artwork.

Participants will then create their own imaginative Ambassador animal-inspired pieces. Supplies will be provided, and all ages are welcome.

🚨Event Details:
Saturday, June 20
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Mount Agamenticus
Activity Level: Easy
All supplies provided !

This program is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, look closely, and let wildlife and the landscape of Mount A inspire your creativity.

Learn more or register through our Upcoming Events Calendar or by using our direct link: https://113050.blackbaudhosting.com/113050/Pattern-Making--Nature-as-My-Muse-at-Mount-A