LATEST NEWS & BLOG FROM CWC
Affects of Light Pollution on Wildlife
Today, we have the technology to illuminate the night with brilliant electric lights. While modern day lighting is helpful, it can become extremely dangerous ‘light pollution’ for the night-active animals that share the world around us.
August 27, 2025/by Saras VenkatramThe Story of Orange
Each year, during the months of March-May, our Marine Mammal Rescue team at CWC receives a high volume of calls regarding stranded Northern Elephant Seal pups on the beaches in Malibu. Each pup that comes in for rehabilitation receives a second chance at life, which was the case for patient #25-097.
August 27, 2025/by Saras VenkatramA New Chapter at CWC
It is with deep gratitude and great excitement that I introduce myself as the new Executive Director of California Wildlife Center. Stepping into this role is both a profound honor and a heartfelt responsibility - one I do not take lightly.
August 27, 2025/by Saras VenkatramTaxidermy Exhibits
The reality of working at a wildlife hospital is, despite our best efforts, some animals don’t recover. In these cases, they may be held or necropsied to assist with law enforcement investigations, determine their cause of death, or be preserved for research
May 19, 2025/by Saras VenkatramRehabilitating Adult California Sea Lions affected by Domoic Acid Toxicity
The California Wildlife Center’s marine mammal rehabilitation program turned 13 this year. During the 2013 “Unusual Mortality Event” affecting California Sea Lion pups (less than 1 year of age) we transitioned from a rescue and transport program to one that includes on-site rehabilitation of young Northern Elephant Seals and California Sea Lions. Each winter, spring, and early summer, the majority of rescued marine mammals in Malibu are early weaned or severely malnourished seals and sea lions.
May 19, 2025/by Saras VenkatramA Tail of Survival
California Wildlife Center recently treated an almost 8-pound bobcat who was rescued from a burn area in Sierra Madre after the Eaton Fire. On January 29, the bobcat was admitted to Pasadena Humane emaciated, with burns on her paws and singed fur on her backside.
May 19, 2025/by Saras VenkatramThe Littlest Dove
Every Spring brings hundreds of young animals to our center in need of care. They come to us for a variety of reasons including losing their mother, being injured, or being ill. One of the first species we see in the Spring is the Mourning Dove. These quiet little birds are a common visitor to many urban backyards and are known for their tell-tale cooing that is reminiscent of a sorrowful call.
May 18, 2025/by Saras VenkatramMeet our First Interns of the Season!
California Wildlife Center’s ability to help 4,000 patients annually is largely due to the stellar team of volunteers and interns that donate their time and hard work to assist our animal care staff. Every year, CWC hosts 25 interns who are admitted into one of three internship tracks - Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Rehabilitation, and Wildlife Hotline and Outreach.
February 18, 2025/by Saras VenkatramWildfires and Wildlife
Living in Southern California, we are all accustomed to the year-round fire season and the impact it can have on our lives. When a fire is imminent, humans are often preoccupied with our own need for survival; we often forget about how natural disasters like wildfires impact the surrounding wildlife.
February 18, 2025/by Saras VenkatramThe Northern Elephant Seal: “Orange”
One of the special patients rescued this past season was case #24-046, nicknamed “Orange,” for the color of the nontoxic grease marker applied as identification. This young male elephant seal pup was rescued from Westward Beach on March 24, 2024, due to severe dehydration, emaciation, and an injury to the right eye.
February 18, 2025/by Saras Venkatram