MEET OUR AMBASSADORS
Center for Wildlife is home to a team of non-releasable wildlife ambassadors that have come to us over the years. Each of these animals are unable to return to the wild due to injury, their previous status as pets or due to improper human possession or attempted rehabilitation. Our ambassadors are all unable to survive in the wild and now help our community make connections with our native animal species. Through their work with our education team, our ambassadors help program attendees build respect for, learn to care for, and ultimately, learn to protect wildlife.
Check out our ambassador bios below to learn more or support the care of one of our friends by clicking the link!
Perseus
Spotted Turtle
Perseus, or Percy as we affectionately call him, is our spotted turtle ambassador. This sweet boy came to us in 2019 from Connecticut after he was confiscated. Percy is a magnificent ambassador for his species, which is listed as threatened in the state of Maine.
Blossom & Lotus
Painted Turtles
Both of our painted turtle ambassadors were taken from the wild. Unfortunately, they’ve lost their natural instinct to be afraid of predators (especially humans!) and to forage for food. Blossom was given an improper diet in captivity and now has metabolic bone disorder, causing her shell to curve upward. Lotus was found in an abandoned house in a container of murky water, consequently her shell was deformed by shell rot. They enjoy greeting visitors in the Nature Center and will often be seen swimming together!
George
Wood Turtle
Initially discovered with a partially healed fractured shell and missing one of his front feet, it is assumed that George was hit by a car. He was passed between a few individuals and kept as a classroom pet for an undetermined period before state officials intervened to get George to Center for Wildlife. George is estimated to be around 25 years old!
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Big Momma, Clifford, Ginger & Lily
Box Turtles
All of our box turtle ambassadors came to the Center after being taken out of the wild and kept in captivity elsewhere. Unfortunately, they’ve lost their natural fear of predators (especially humans!) and ability to forage for food. The box turtles are great friends and enjoy their summer outdoor enclosure where they can eat wild raspberries, greens, and soak up the sun!
Zipper
Corn Snake
Zipper came to Center for Wildlife in 2007 after his owner went off to college and left him behind. Corn snakes are popular reptiles in pet stores because of their calm and gentle nature. Unfortunately, caring for reptiles is very time consuming and expensive. Corn snakes need a proper habitat to thrive with the right lighting, substrate, diet, and toys! Zipper has changed thousands of visitors opinions on snakes and helps teach about how important they are for the ecosystems in which they live!
Poppy
North American Porcupine
Poppy was transfered to Center for Wildlife for care from a rehabilitation facility in Connecticut after numerous failed attempts at release. Poppy was found as a juvenile after her mother was struck by a car.
Poppy loves climbing the many climbing structures in her enclosure and creating comfortable den space to snuggle up for a nap. She is particularly fond of acorns, one of the many tasty snacks porcupine naturally forage for in the wild!
Vivian
Virginia Opossum
Vivian came to us in 2024 after being taken from the wild by a member of the public as a juvenile. Vivian's upbringing in human care left her without the important survival skills she would need in the wild. Vivian loves to explore throughout her enclosure all night and cuddle up in her cozy blankets during the day. Don't take it personally if you don't see her during your daytime visit, she loves her beauty rest!
Rusty
Red-shoulder Hawk
Rusty came to us in 2023 as an orphan and continuously failed to pass her tests for release including predator awareness and hunting independently when it came her time to return to the wild. Rusty is an eager and gentle hawk who loves to spend time with her caretakers. She helps our team team about this incredible species that can be found right here around our community campus! Her incredible markings help her stand out in any crowd!
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Violet
Turkey Vulture
Violet came to the Center for Wildlife in 2016 from Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable, MA. She was found unable to fly due to a humerus fracture that was suspected to have happened after she was struck by a car. She loves to sit and gaze out at the forest behind her enclosure and is bright and curious towards visitors.
Bobbi & Bindi
Big Brown Bats
Bobbi and Bindi both arrived in 2019 and neither have the ability to fly due to presumed developmental disabilities. These two have continuously won over visitors hearts with their amazing personalities. Our bat ambassadors and patients have recently helped to teach about White-Nose Syndrome and what that means for bats and people!
Lucille (Lucy)
Eastern Screech Owl
Lucille came to the CFW in 2018 from the Blue Hills Trails Museum after being dropped off with her siblings by a member of the public who had tried to raise them. Lucille is imprinted on humans and is not able to be released. Lucy is a fiery young lady who keeps us on our toes! She is one of our program rock stars and can often be seen out in the community helping our team teach about conservation.
Gaia & Galileo
Great Horned Owls
Galileo came to the Center in 2006 after an injury that left him blind in his left eye. Gaia was admitted in 2011 after falling from her nest and fracturing her wing. Gaia has settled in well with Galileo, and has taken to grooming his feathers and calling beside him. They can be heard calling in the late afternoon/early evening from November through February, and are happy to oblige participants of our owl prowls. Together they have fostered over 40 owlets!
Maeve
Merlin
Maeve came to the Center for Wildlife in 2017 after being brought to us by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. She was found unable to fly due to a wrist fracture that was suspected to have happened after she was struck by a car. Maeve is a feisty, intelligent bird. She is bright and curious towards visitors and also very talkative!
Byron & Fern
Barred Owls
Byron came to us in 2007 with a fractured wing after he was hit by a car. He is one of our village elders and can often be seen right in his front window, soaking in the view of the forest. Fern came to the Center in 2018 after being struck by a vehicle and sustaining head trauma. Byron and Fern not only provide a valuable service to their species by teaching the public about barred owls, they also provide a valuable service in the medical clinic as a foster parents for baby owls.
Connor
Broad-winged Hawk
Connor was found on the side of a busy road as a 10 week old fledgling in Tuftonboro, NH. Upon examination, he was treated for an injury to his left eye. Connor loves bowing as a form of communication! He is one of our gentlest spirits here at Center for Wildlife and often makes deep connections with visitors and will even chat with guests through light chirping calls.
Perry
Peregrine Falcon
Perry flew into a power line and suffered extensive burns on his wing before being transferred to us in 2012. He loves life at the Center and can often be seen enjoying the view from his window. While Perry may not travel as often as he once did, he has helped teach thousands about his species that is endangered here in the state of Maine!
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Pisces
Red-tailed Hawk
Pisces was brought to the Raptor Trust in New Jersey, after his nest was removed from a golf course. She had two siblings in the nest, and was the smallest of the triplets. From early on, it was clear that Pisces' early development issues left her without the ability to properly hunt and fend for herself in the wild. She loves sitting in the sun on the glove and is starting to come out of his shell, including enjoying people walking by her window during tours and field trips!
Maverick
Peregrine Falcon
Maverick was found in the road, likely struck by a car in Brunswick ME. He sustained trauma to his left eye and a deep laceration to his left wing that impacted the tendon and muscle. Despite peregrines often being more high-strung, Maverick is very calm on the glove and loves taking walks with his caretakers in the sunshine and the forest.