Rehabilitation and Education of Native Animals

The Wildlife Department at the Chattahoochee Nature Center focuses on resident animal care, public education, and rehabilitation.

>> More than 75 injured, non-releasable animals call CNC home and Wildlife Department staff, volunteers, and interns provide for every aspect of these animals’ wellbeing.

>> Over 3,500 phone calls and emails are received annually, with questions ranging from animal track identification, habitat destruction, and animals in need of assistance.

>> The staff of the Wildlife Department holds rehabilitation permits from the GA Department of Natural Resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The department receives over 750 injured and orphaned raptors, reptiles, and amphibians annually for rehabilitation.

>> The Wildlife Department, licensed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has been a part of the Nature Center since it opened in 1976.

Wildlife Clinic Hours for Animal Drop Off
Monday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM and Sunday 12PM – 4PM

Animal Rehabilitation

Rehabilitators do not receive government funding and all expenses (i.e. food, medications, x-rays, vet costs, caging, etc.) are paid for by the rehabber. Please consider making a donation if you are in need ofassistance with an injured or orphaned wild animal.

Average cost of rehabilitation care:
One raptor: $50/week
One reptile: $20/week
One amphibian: $10/week

CNC Wildlife Clinic Hours for Animal Drop Off:
Monday – Saturday 10AM – 4PM and Sunday 12PM – 4PM


To locate a licensed rehabilitator, visit the Animal Help Now website
or visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in Georgia. 

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Resident Animals

In addition to our staff and facility costs, our resident animals have bigger appetites than you might think: Bald Eagles eat $3,100 worth of food a year and feeding the Great Horned Owls costs $2,900 a year.

We do need your help to be able to continue to provide for them. 

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Animal Facts

Learn more about some of the animals native to Georgia that may be seen when you visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center. 

we need your help

As a non-profit interactive nature center we rely heavily on donations and support from the community to operate our Wildlife Center. More than 75 injured, non-releasable animals call CNC home. In addition, Wildlife Department staff hold state and federal rehabilitation permits for raptors, amphibians, and reptiles, receiving more than 500 cases annually for evaluation and rehabilitation. We believe this is important work, and this service to the community costs us over $100,000 a year. In addition to our staff and facility costs, these animals have bigger appetites than you might think: eagles eat $3,100 worth of food a year and feeding our Great Horned Owls sets us back $2,900 a year. And we do need your help to be able to continue to provide for them.

Average cost of care:
One raptor: $50 / week
One reptile: $20 / week
One amphibian: $10 / week

Have Additional Questions About Wildlife?