New Mexico Wildlife Center
Española, Northern NM
Licensed wildlife hospital in Espanola caring for up to 1,000 native animals per year, from songbirds to mountain lions, through rehabilitation, conservation, and public education.
About
The New Mexico Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife hospital based in Espanola, New Mexico, dedicated to the rehabilitation, conservation, and protection of native wildlife across the state. Founded as a professional wildlife care facility, the center cares for up to 1,000 animals per year, representing a wide range of New Mexico's native species, from small songbirds and raptors to larger mammals including mountain lions, coyotes, and mule deer.
The center operates as a licensed wildlife rehabilitation hospital, providing medical treatment, surgical care, and species-appropriate rehabilitation for injured and orphaned animals brought in from across northern and central New Mexico. Trained staff and veterinary professionals evaluate each animal, administer necessary treatment, and develop individualized care plans aimed at recovery and return to the wild. Animals that cannot be safely released due to the nature of their injuries may be retained as education ambassadors or transferred to appropriate facilities.
Conservation and public education are integral parts of the organization's mission. The center works to protect wildlife populations not just through individual care but through community engagement about the threats native animals face, including vehicle strikes, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal capture. Programming reaches schools, community groups, and the public to build understanding of and appreciation for New Mexico's native wildlife.
Espanola's location in the northern Rio Grande corridor places the center within reach of diverse ecosystems, from the high Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains to the river valley and surrounding mesas. This geographic position means the center receives animals from a broad swath of the state, making it one of the most significant wildlife care resources in New Mexico.
