Emerald

Emerald is an Anna's hummingbird who came to us in 2008 as a nestling who was missing her right foot, either from injury or birth defect.  Because it was impossible to say whether she would be able to adapt successfully to this disability in the wild, it was thought best to have her join our Education program.  Like all hummingbirds, she is curious and bold, making it easy for her to be around people.  Emerald thoroughly enjoys bathing in her fountain and has learned to preen herself in flight, since she has difficulty balancing well enough to do so on a perch. Visit Emerald's website!

Igor

Igor the Black-crowned Night Heron came to us in 1997 as a 3-ounce chick who had fallen from a tall Torrey pine at the North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado.  Igor had only minor injuries from the fall, but after extended treatment and care, visits to the vet, and concern that one eye was damaged, it was decided it would be risky to release him with a problematic wing.  Although not imprinted, Igor has virtually no fear of humans and was not raised with other herons because of his trauma.  He is a great representation of local seabirds and loves to travel to programs because that's when he gets his favorite kind of fish!

Jethro

Jethro is a San Diego gopher snake. His history before coming to a local reptile rescuer in March, 2009, is unknown. However, we estimate that he is 2-3 years old and was very likely taken out of the wild. He typically rests most of the day (gopher snakes in California have been found to spend almost 22 hours every day resting underground) and explores, drinks, bathes, and/or eats in the evenings. Jethro is currently about 5 feet long but is expected to reach at least 6 feet as he fully matures.

Kassie

Kassie the American kestrel came to Project Wildlife in 2000 as a young bird with a broken shoulder.  The injury healed but still prevented her from being able to fly very far.  However, her fearless personality has made her a superstar Ambassador; she has attended some of our largest local events without even batting an eye.  Kassie's diet consists mostly of small mice, but she also enjoys insects.

KwaPai

KwaPai is a red-shouldered hawk who came to Project Wildlife as a hatchling in 2004. He was found on the ground underneath a nest, and it was soon discovered that he was blind in his right eye. With poor depth perception and the inability to see danger from one side, KwaPai was unable to be released into the wild. KwaPai's vocalizations and regal bearing inspired his name, which means "chief" in a dialect of the Kumeyaay people. He actually has a very calm disposition and loves the showers he gets in his enclosure on hot days, holding out his wings to get soaking wet underneath.

Loma

Loma is a lilac-crowned Amazon parrot.  Although this species is not native to San Diego, there are some feral colonies in the area, formed by escaped birds or released pets.  Usually, we don't get in animal species that are considered pets; however, Loma was brought in as a nestling who was found underneath a nest in the wild Point Loma colony in 2008.  Because she is not a native animal, she could not be released, but she was young enough to join our Education program.  Loma is very smart and learns new things every day.  She also enjoys listening to music, often "singing" along!

Machado

Machado is a perfectly healthy squirrel, which would normally mean that we would have released him into the wild.  However, Machado was not taken in by Project Wildlife as a baby in 2004, but by someone who decided to try to make him a pet.  Because he was raised in someone's home, he is not afraid of people, dogs, cats, cars, or anything that would get him into trouble if he lived in the wild.  Having wild animals in your home is illegal in California, and Machado was confiscated and turned over to Project Wildlife.  Because he is habituated to people, he can never be released, but he can represent squirrels and other wild animals in our Education programs.  Machado especially likes seeds and nuts and, just like any squirrel, will sometimes hide them for later.

Ollie

Ollie is a star among raccoons.  He was brought to Project Wildlife in 2006 after a traumatic injury.  Due to his head injury, he has an extraordinarily “laid back” personality for a raccoon, allowing him to be very comfortable around strangers.  Although he does not always act like a normal raccoon, he is curious and playful.  One of his recent favorite behaviors is to hide food in the pockets of old jeans hung in his enclosure.  Ollie, like all raccoons, is an opportunistic omnivore and eats a variety of vegetables, fruits, cat food, rodents, and insects.

Pepper

Pepper the Acorn Woodpecker arrived as a young bird at the PW care center in 2008.  Due to her poor health and an unfortunate series of events, she lost the upper part of her beak, breaking it off so close to her face that it will not grow back.  Pepper needs to be on a modified diet and cannot be released into the wild.  Despite having half a beak, she still happily pecks at wood and forages in her enclosure for her favorite acorns, cleverly hidden by her caregiver to keep her active and challenged.

Soyala

Soyala is a Great Horned Owl that was brought into the Care Center as a hatchling in March, 2009. She had been found on the ground underneath a nest and had an obvious wing injury. It was discovered that the wing injury would cause permanent flight restrictions for this owl, making her non-releasable. Although a year old now, she looks at everything as if it's new and exciting. She was named by Ruth Hayward, who won the opportunity to name her at our 2009 We Like It Wild! auction; Soyala is a Hopi Indian word that means "time of the winter solstice."

Ugs

Uguku “Ugs” the Barn Owl (Cherokee for “Story Teller”) was found on the ground as a hatchling in May 2004. His left wing was broken in three places, and he also had left leg and foot damage. These injuries may have been caused by a traumatic fall, or they could be the result of a type of brittle bone disease. Regardless, though he survived his injuries, his condition will not allow him to survive effectively in the wild. Ugs is currently available for smaller, indoor programs only.