Wildlife Science Center

About Wildlife Science Center

Wildlife Science Center is a nonprofit organization at 22830 Sunrise Rd NE in Stacy, Minnesota. It describes itself as an educational resource for people of all ages, exposing visitors to wild animals and conservation knowledge while advancing understanding of wild animal biology through long-term, humane scientific studies of captive populations. According to its mission statement, that work contributes to technical training for wildlife agencies, educational institutions and conservation agencies.

The center is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It lists school programs, guided visits, public tours, events and evening programs among its activities.

History

The organization began in 1976 as The Wolf Project, a captive gray wolf research laboratory established by biologists. According to the center, federal funding supported its operations through 1990 and generated a substantial body of research data. When federal support ended, the team converted the project into a nonprofit to preserve the work, and it received 501(c)(3) status in 1991. In 2017 the center relocated from Columbus, Minnesota, to its current permanent facility in Stacy.

Exhibits and habitats

The center's website names 18 species in its care:

• Gray wolves, red wolves and Mexican gray wolves
• Cougars, bobcats and Canada lynx
• Black bears
• Coyotes, red foxes and gray foxes
• Porcupines
• Birds of prey, including red-tailed hawks, Krider's red-tailed hawks, broad-winged hawks, great horned owls, barred owls, eastern screech owls and peregrine falcons

The center lists guided visits for the public and also offers animal sponsorships.

Conservation and programs

The center states that it participates in the Species Survival Plans for the red wolf and the Mexican gray wolf, two species it notes were reduced to near extinction before recovery efforts began.

According to the center, high school and college students use its animals to learn observation techniques and the scientific method, with staff assisting on hypotheses, methods and presentation of results. Its studies have addressed reproductive inhibitors, pack behavior and hierarchy, genetic relationships between wolf subspecies, and physiological responses to hormonal interventions.

Education programs serve students from preschool through twelfth grade, and the center also offers public tours and events. One of its stated objectives is equal access to programs for students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Virtual experiences, birthday parties and evening or night programs are also listed.

For professionals and students, the center offers three- and four-day wildlife handling courses covering chemical immobilization, physical restraint and responses to veterinary emergencies.

Planning your visit

The center's website lists guided visits, school programs, birthday parties and evening programs. The website posts seasonal hours and booking details. Merchandise is also listed on the website. The center can be reached by phone at 651.464.3993 or by email at wscinfo@wildlifesciencecenter.org.