"Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."
-- Albert Einstein
Founded in l977 as a small, home-based, all-volunteer organization, the Alabama Wildlife Center is now Alabama’s largest full-service wildlife rehabilitation center. Located in Oak Mountain State Park, the Center receives nearly 2,500 injured and orphaned wild birds, mammals and reptiles of more than 100 species annually. Animals include raptors (eagles, hawks, owls) and other birds (songbirds, water and shore birds), mammals (cougar, fox, bobcat, bats, deer, etc.) and reptiles (alligators, turtles).
Since its inception, well over 50,000 native Alabama wild animals have been helped because of the efforts of the Alabama Wildlife Center. The organization has been in continuous service 365 days a year for over 30 years!
The Center’s Emergency Wildlife Hotline provides free advice and information on how to deal with all kinds of wildlife problems and emergencies. It has been in continuous operation 365 days a year since 1981 and receives almost 4,000 calls yearly…more than 100,000 Alabamians have been helped over the years!
The Alabama Wildlife Center has eight full time staff who care for the animals, provide educational programming and manage the business affairs of the Center. In addition the Center relies heavily on its volunteer staff of more than 300 people to carry out its various animal rescue, rehabilitation and public education services.
Facilities
In view of the significant public services provided by the Alabama Wildlife Center, in 1987 the State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation made available to the Alabama Wildlife Center the former Foothills Restaurant in Oak Mountain State Park for use as a wildlife center on a long-term basis as an in-kind contribution. The Center's business offices, animal care facilities, educational displays and walking trails are located at this facility. The Alabama Wildlife Center also continues to operate the Release Preparation Facility at its original location in North Shelby County.
The
Alabama Wildlife Center, selected as a "Best of the
Road" site for 2006 by the editors of Rand McNally, is open to the public for self-guided tours, and features the
Treetop
Nature Trail. A beautiful, elevated walkway in the woods, the trail offers close-up
views of non-releasable hawks and owls in natural habitat enclosures built among and around
the trees.
The Alabama Wildlife Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no public funds. All current cash income is derived from membership dues, individual donations and corporate and foundation grants. For each dollar contributed, The Alabama Wildlife Center receives approximately two dollars in donated goods and services from individuals, businesses and the State of Alabama.
How to find
the Wildlife Center
The Alabama Wildlife Center is located just south of Birmingham at Oak Mountain State Park. Exit I-65 at Exit #246 and follow the signs to the park. From the front gate of Oak Mountain State Park, follow the main road (John Findlay Drive) for 2.1 miles. Take the first paved road to the right (Terrace Drive) and go 0.7 miles to the first left turn. The Alabama Wildlife Center is at the top of the hill.
Hours of Operation Every Day of the Year
Wildlife Patient Admission: 8 am – 6 pm
Wildlife Hotline (205-621-3333): 8 am – 9 pm
Visitors: 9 am – 5 pm
Business Office: 9 am – 5 pm (closed holidays)
History of the Alabama Wildlife Center
|
The Alabama Wildlife Center was founded in 1977 by Anne G. Miller as a small home-based organization with no paid staff. The Center began its association with Oak Mountain State Park with the development of the Treetop Nature Trail which opened in 1985. The rehabilitation, education and administrative facilities of the Center have occupied their current home in Oak Mountain State Park for over twenty years. Since the Alabama Wildlife Center’s small beginnings in its Founder’s back yard, the Center has grown to be Alabama’s largest full-service wildlife rehabilitation center. The Alabama Wildlife Center receives nearly 2,500 injured and orphaned wild birds, mammals and reptiles of over 100 species annually. Since its inception, well over 50,000 native Alabama wild animals have been helped because of the efforts of the Wildlife Center and its staff. The Center’s Wildlife Emergency Hotline receives almost 4,000 calls each year and has helped more than 100,000 Alabamians since its inception. Click here for more information about the history of the Alabama Wildlife Center. |
