Tamarack Wildlife Center

You can be a hero for wildlife! Your support on Erie Gives Day provides wildlife from Pennsylvania with their second chance to return home after injury, illness, or being orphaned. 2026 has already surpassed our average annual number of patients admitted and is poised to beat last year's record of 1,924 patients. Your donation also supports inspirational and educational programs and conservation.

Your support makes these stories of Recovery and Release possible!

When this young Red-Shouldered Hawk arrived at Tamarack Wildlife Center, her future was uncertain. An examination revealed a fractured left leg, an injury that would have made hunting and surviving in the wild impossible without expert care.

Throughout her weeks of treatments, her splint was carefully changed, she was monitored for healing through follow-up X-rays, and provided the medications, treatment supplies, and nutritious food she needed to recover. She was soft released through a process called hacking. This method gives young birds of prey the chance to build confidence and independence by allowing them to come and go from a sheltered release site where supplemental food is available while they perfect their hunting skills. 

Our team has spotted her several times around the hacking site, thriving as she transitions to life in the wild.

When a young American Mink arrived at Tamarack Wildlife Center, it was suffering from a concussion. Disoriented and vulnerable, it needed immediate care to give it a chance at returning to the wild. The Tamarack rehabilitation team quickly began treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, supportive care, and proper nutrition.

This young mink is making excellent progress and is one step closer to returning to the wild where it belongs. Every medication, meal, and day of expert care is made possible by generous Erie Gives supporters. Your donations provide the treatments and resources injured wildlife need to heal, recover, and get a second chance at life in the wild.This summer, a routine nest box check revealed a tiny American Kestrel failing to thrive. The youngest of the brood, it was dehydrated, lethargic, and unlikely to survive without intervention.

After arriving at Tamarack Wildlife Center, the nestling received fluids, specialized nutrition, and supportive care from our rehabilitation team. Day by day, this little falcon grew stronger, developing the flight muscles, hunting instincts, and confidence needed for life in the wild. This once-fragile kestrel has transformed into a healthy young falcon and is ready for release.

Every meal, medical treatment, and day of expert care is made possible by compassionate supporters like you! Your Erie Gives donation saves lives.

Tamarack Wildlife Center offers professional, licensed wildlife rehabilitation at no cost to the wildlife finder. Tamarack is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization supported by individual and corporate donors and does not receive state or federal funding. 

Mission

Tamarack Wildlife Center promotes the welfare of wildlife and inspires care for nature through excellence in wildlife rehabilitation, education, and conservation.

Vision

Tamarack Wildlife Center is a leader in fostering a community in which wildlife and humans thrive.

Wildlife Patients

Tamarack Wildlife Center specializes in the treatment of birds of prey like hawks, owls, falcons, and especially eagles. Tamarack is known for providing high-quality care to Bald Eagles and typically treats between 10 and 16 each year. Other wildlife treated include squirrels, opossums, rabbits, adult songbirds, turtles, snakes, frogs, and toads. 

Education

Live wildlife captivates and inspires audiences! Tamarack provides educational programming throughout the region using non-releasable live ambassadors. Our ambassador team includes 4 species of owls, a hawk, 2 species of falcons, a turtle, a snake, and an opossum. In 2026, so far, we've presented 76 programs to over 7,085 people of all ages at schools, senior centers, churches, scout meetings, summer camps, and more! We hope that, through our educational programs, audience members of all ages will be inspired to be better stewards of the natural world.