Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, Inc.

The mission of Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is the care and release of orphanedand injured native wildlifeback to their natural habitat. We also provide educational programs about the habits and habitats of our local wildlife.
Woodlands is a NJ state licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility and is a non-profit 501(C)(3) charitable corporation. Woodlands receives no state or federal funding.

First Patients

Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, located in Bethlehem Township, began in the mid 1980’swith the care of two orphaned raccoons. Woodlands was founded, and is directed by Tracy Leaver, a New Jersey state licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Woodlands Today

As our communities continue to grow, and loss of habitat continues, the number of human/wildlife encounters increase. We are dedicated to keeping up with the needs of our communities and our wild neighbors. Woodlands cares for hundreds of animals a year, and enjoys a high success rate of release. Some of the animals Woodlands provides care for include raccoons, skunks, opossums, rabbits, woodchucks, foxes, squirrels, coyotes, fawns, bats, otters, porcupines, bears, and even the occasional bobcat.
Woodlands has a staff of highly trained volunteers who care for the animals until their release. The doctors and staff at the Animal Hospital of Clinton-Perryville generously treat animals needing more extensive care such as X-rays, fracture repair or surgery. All animals are maintained until they are healthy enough to survive in the wild.

Wildlife Rehabilitation

There are few endeavors less glamourous than being a wildlife rehabilitator, as many volunteers find out. The hours are many, the patients can be surly, and cage cleaning is messy.
When an animal first arrives, it is thoroughly examined for injuries and disease. Once the condition of the animal is determined, decisions about housing, feeding, and medication are made. Volunteers then feed, medicate, clean, and monitor the animal according to its daily chart. Everything about the animal is logged on its chart to build a detailed history. The condition of the animal is constantly re-evaluated, and adjustments in care are made. Every effort is made to minimize human imprinting, and all care is geared towards preparing the animal for eventual release and survival in the wild – where they belong.

Woodlands is proud of the thousands of animals it has been able to assist and release back to the wilderness, including all the ones shown in this brochure. This is our greatest reward. It is not possible without dedicated volunteers and generous donors.

An important goal

Because we are dedicated to the release of healthy and well-functioning animals into the wild, Woodlands must minimize the interaction of the animals with humans as much as possible; therefore we are not open to the general public. We appreciate your understanding and assistance with this effort.

For our brochure click here

Staff

Deb Weyman, President
Tom Czirok, Vice-President
Karen L. Bowker, Treasurer
Joan Ausmann, Secretary
Catherine Chou, Board Member
Melissa Stegens, Board Member
Susan Bennett, Board Member
John Mount, Board Member
Deb Welaish-Sutphen, Board Member
Al Rylak, Attorney
Tracy Leaver, Refuge Director