MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson Zoo Wildlife Rehabilitation Program at the Cargill WildCare Center has temporarily stopped accepting new wildlife patients after reaching maximum capacity in both enclosure space and neonatal care areas.
Zoo officials announced the temporary closure this week, saying the center has already admitted more than 600 wildlife patients this spring — nearly 60% of the total number of animals treated during all of last year. More than 100 of the current patients are baby opossums.
The rehabilitation center traditionally experiences its busiest period during the summer months as migratory birds arrive and orphaned young animals are brought in for care.
Officials said the decision to pause intakes was necessary to maintain humane standards of care for the animals already being treated.
“As a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility, the hard-working staff and volunteers involved in this program are legally and ethically responsible for maintaining a humane standard of care, and aren't able to do that if intakes continue beyond capacity,” the zoo said in a statement.
The zoo said the primary limitations facing the program are available facility space and staffing resources. Intake operations are expected to resume once current wildlife patients can be rehabilitated and released.
In the meantime, residents who find injured or orphaned wildlife are encouraged to contact the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for information on other licensed wildlife rehabilitators across the state.
Zoo officials thanked the community for its patience during what they described as a critical time for young wildlife patients currently under care.