LATEST NEWS & BLOG FROM CWC
The Education Corner: El Niño
This year’s “El Niño,” the meteorological phenomenon locally associated with high ocean surface temperatures, is predicted to be especially intense for Southern California and beyond. Out in the community, we’ve been asked; what does this mean for CWC and our patients?
August 17, 2026/by protectanimalsGreatest reward – 100% Northern Elephant Seal Pups Released
he 2026 northern elephant seal pup stranding season has wrapped up. Due to their life history, we expect to see northern elephant seal pups, or weanlings, in need of rehabilitative care during the spring and early summer months in Malibu. This year, the population experienced its first cases of avian influenza. Northern Elephant Seals continue to recover from the near extinction they faced in the early 1900s.
August 17, 2026/by protectanimalsKeeping Our Distance to Keep Them Safe
CWC admits over 4,000 patients a year, and whether our patients are with us for days or months, we always make sure they are receiving the best care possible. While some patients can be assessed through routine visual checks, others are more sensitive and benefit from remote monitoring. Our advanced camera system allows our care team to closely observe these patients while minimizing unnecessary stress and handling.
August 17, 2026/by protectanimalsFragile Beginnings, Wild Futures
As one of the few facilities in Southern California equipped to provide long-term rehabilitation for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns, California Wildlife Center prepares each spring and summer for the arrival of these fragile patients. This year, our veterinary team has cared for nine fawns among nearly 4,400 other wildlife patients. Although they may appear resilient in the wild, young deer are some of the most medically delicate animals we treat.
August 17, 2026/by protectanimalsThe Education Corner: Renesting
CWC receives over 35,000 calls each year, and many cases end without a rescuer ever entering our facility. A number of these happy stories involve neonate and infant patients, who can often be reunited with a parent by the caring individual who noticed them.
May 13, 2026/by protectanimalsRescuing Stranded Marine Mammals during an Outbreak of Avian Influenza
Each season, the marine mammal department recruits additional team members and holds refresher training sessions to prepare for the busy stranding season. Following a rigid life history, large numbers of recently weaned Northern Elephant Seal pups in distress strand on the Malibu beaches during March, April, and May.
May 13, 2026/by protectanimalsWild Beginnings
At California Wildlife Center, we care for thousands of injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals each year. Animals are admitted year-round, but there is an influx of patients between March and October, with the majority arriving between March and June. During these months, we take in 30–40 animals daily and respond to over 100 text messages a day, all while balancing the intricate medication and feeding schedules of the animals already in our care.
May 13, 2026/by protectanimalsThrough Darkness back to Flight
Throughout the year, each patient that comes through our doors carries a story. Some are straightforward. Others, like one of our Great Horned Owl patients, use every tool, skill, and ounce of creativity our team can offer. This case perfectly illustrates both the complexity of our work and the impact of community support.
May 13, 2026/by protectanimalsThe Education Corner: Nests
With the arrival of Spring, CWC always alerts our neighbors to stop trimming trees and bushes unless absolutely necessary. We warn about giving space to nesting animals, particularly nesting birds. But bird nests can be hard to find. So, what are you really looking for around your home?
February 17, 2026/by protectanimalsSoaring to New Heights
This time of year, November through February, is referred to as our slow season, simply because we receive significantly fewer patients daily than we do during the summer months. This slow season, however, has been anything but, as we have admitted an unusually large number of birds of prey in addition to our usual caseload.
February 17, 2026/by Saras Venkatram