It is the first wildlife rehabilitation hospital established in the United States.
The facility treats over 5,000 injured or orphaned wild animals every year.
Animal ambassadors are permanent residents that cannot be released into the wild due to permanent injuries.
The onsite hospital features a specialized raptor ward for treating birds of prey.
It was founded in 1955 by local resident Alexander Lindsay.
The center provides a 24-hour telephone helpline for citizens to report injured wildlife.
Most of the animals on display were rescued after being hit by cars, caught in fencing, or orphaned.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience is a unique hybrid of a natural history museum and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital in Walnut Creek, California. It houses over 50 species of non-releasable native California wildlife, ranging from raptors to small mammals. The center operates one of the oldest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, admitting thousands of injured or orphaned animals annually. Visitors can observe the veterinary staff working behind glass, providing an educational look into animal medical care. The facility emphasizes native wildlife conservation, biology, and environmental stewardship through interactive exhibits. It features both permanent and rotating exhibits focused on local ecosystems. The onsite Discovery Hall allows for closer interaction with various animal ambassadors. This facility serves as a vital community resource for local environmental education.
The large glass observation window looking directly into the veterinary hospital clinic.
Check the daily 'Animal Encounter' schedule upon arrival to see which ambassadors are active.
Bring binoculars if you want to observe the birds of prey in the outdoor enclosures more closely.
Quiet your voice near the hospital windows to avoid stressing the recovering animal patients.
Do not bring injured wildlife to the front desk without calling ahead to follow specific intake protocols.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain low noise levels near the hospital area and do not tap on enclosure glass.
