Wildwoods, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization in Duluth, announced it is temporarily unable to accept sick or injured animals due to permitting issues with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Below is text from a post on the Wildwoods Facebook page:

Dear Wildwoods Friends and Family,

We are very sorry to inform you that unanticipated changes in staffing have temporarily affected our permit status with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Until our permit status is resolved, the DNR has directed that Wildwoods is temporarily unable to accept any sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

Wildwoods has been proudly serving the wildlife and the people of the Northland for more than thirteen years. Nothing is more important to our staff and our board members than providing the best possible care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife and support for those in our community who are passionate about stewarding our natural environment and the amazing array of wild birds and animals who share it with us.

During the coming months, we will be working to onboard new staff members, train with local and national experts in the field of wildlife care and rehabilitation, and work closely with the DNR and our fellow local rehabilitation agencies to amplify services across Minnesota. During this time, we will not be able to accept any sick, injured, and orphaned animals. If you find an animal in need of assistance, please contact one of the following agencies:

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
2530 Dale St. N.
Roseville, MN 55113
651-486-WILD (9453)

The Raptor Center (for raptors only)
1920 Fitch Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
612-624-4745

Wild and Free
Garrison MN
Call the Garrison Animal Hospital at 320-692-4180.

Wildwoods will continue providing educational services to youth and adults throughout the region as we look forward to again providing our full array of services.

Wildwoods is so grateful to be a partner to the Northland community. We are humbled and grateful for the support that we have received from each of you for more than thirteen years, and we will need your help in two key ways during this time of transition. We ask that you grant us the gift of time as we work through this period of transition and we also ask for the gift of your continued support. Your continued support is vital to our efforts to strengthen our organization during this time of temporary closure, and will help us to emerge stronger than ever. Together, we have served thousands of wild birds and animals and taught generations of Northlanders about the power of empathy, compassion, and stewardship. We have a lot of great work to do together, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community, with your support, for decades to come.

With gratitude,

Jessica LaBumbard
Executive Director
Wildwoods