Wildlife WayStation facts for kids
| Date opened | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Date closed | 2019 |
| Location | Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, United States |
| Land area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Coordinates | 34°19′53″N 118°20′40″W / 34.33139°N 118.34444°W |
| No. of animals | 400 |
The Wildlife WayStation was a special place for animals in Sylmar, California. It was a large animal sanctuary that covered 160 acres. Its main goal was to rescue and help wild and exotic animals.
This amazing facility was located inside the Angeles National Forest. It was started in 1976 by an animal lover named Martine Colette. She led the WayStation until May 2019. The sanctuary closed its doors in 2019.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Wildlife WayStation
How it Started
Martine Colette founded the Wildlife WayStation in 1976. She saw that many wild and exotic animals needed a safe home. At one point, it was home to the largest group of chimpanzees in the Western United States. Many other big animals, like large cats and bears, also lived there. The hope was to help animals get better and return to the wild. However, many animals stayed at the WayStation for their whole lives.
Challenges and Rescues
In 1992, a sickness called distemper spread. It affected many animals, including 18 big cats, who sadly passed away. The sanctuary had to close for almost a year to get things under control.
A few years later, in 1995, the WayStation helped with a big rescue. Some large cats had escaped from a place called Ligertown in Idaho. The WayStation rescued 27 lions and ligers. These animals were not in good health. The WayStation staff worked hard to care for them.
In 2007, the Wildlife WayStation thought about moving. They wanted to build a smaller facility outside the Angeles National Forest. This plan did not happen.
Fires and Closure
The sanctuary faced threats from forest fires. In August 2009, a large fire in the Angeles National Forest came close. Many animals had to be moved to safety. Again, in December 2017, the Creek Fire burned part of the facility. Animals were evacuated once more.
In 2019, state officials announced the WayStation would close. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stepped in to help. Their job was to find new, good homes for all the animals. The chimpanzees were the last animals to leave. They found a new home at Chimp Haven in Louisiana.
After the WayStation closed, there were fewer places in Southern California to help wild animals. New rules were put in place to make sure animal care was very professional.
Amazing Animals at the WayStation
The Wildlife WayStation cared for about 400 wild and exotic animals. These included powerful lions, striped tigers, spotted leopards, and quick mountain lions. They also housed jaguars, bobcats, big bears, and many different primates. Other animals like deer, coyotes, and wolves also found refuge there.
Many animals came to the WayStation because people could no longer care for them. These were often "exotic pets" that became too difficult to keep. Some animals were abandoned and later rescued. Others were given directly to the WayStation. When animals arrived, they were often sick or hurt. The veterinarians and staff at the WayStation worked hard to make them healthy again.
