Wildlife and Other Stories

Heron being anesthetized for the endoscopy

Heron gets emergency surgery and second chance at life

A distressed night heron came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in need of care after swallowing a fishhook.
Delicate procedure helps bird
Feature
The two cavies, Hip and Hup, with one of them eating some fresh green grass

Spicing up life for wild ambassadors at Best Friends

See how caregivers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary bring joy to wildlife who can’t be released.
Ways to enrich their lives
Feature
Lauren Ross and Brianna Vlach holding the golden eagle in a towel

Eagle displaced by wildfire on road back to the skies

It was a race against time to save a young, distressed golden eagle found near a wildfire. Now he's getting the care he needs to survive and thrive.
His progress is slow and steady
Feature
The two owlets being fed with an adult owl puppet beside them

Baby barn owls survive accidental road trip

When a hay truck accidentally loaded a nest of hatching owl eggs, Wild Friends staff feared the babies wouldn’t survive. Then something amazing happened.
Owlets have remarkable recovery
Best Friends Magazine
Osprey with wings raised

Miraculous recovery for injured osprey

When an injured osprey arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, staff were worried; ospreys are often hard to rehab. Then, something miraculous happened.
One determined bird
Feature
Gavin Spencer in bed on a sleepover with his arm around Blair the dog in a hug

Wish comes true for boy who loves animals

Make-A-Wish visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is filled with dogs, cats, pigs, bunnies, tortoises, and more.
His unique experience
Feature
Brooke the pig next to a piglet

Celebrating animal moms and ‘aunties' at Best Friends

A piggy big sis, doting mares, a stuffed animal owl: These are a few special ‘bonus moms' we’re celebrating at Best Friends.
Motherhood transcends species
Feature
Vintage photo of Sharon St. Joan holding a bird of prey with cliffs and a beautiful sky in the background

Looking back: How Best Friends’ Wild Friends began

For orphaned and injured wildlife, Wild Friends is a place to recover before returning to the wild and a home for those who can’t; here’s how it started.
The history of Wild Friends from Best Friends co-founder Sharon St. Joan
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person hand-feeding a treat to Kazoo the crow

Kazoo the crow becomes a teacher

Kazoo came to Wild Friends at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as a young crow who couldn’t fly, and now she’s an ambassador for wild birds.
Now she's a teaching bird
Feature
Two cavies, nose-to-nose

Cavy curiosities: Meet our new wild friends

Learn about Hip and Hup the cavies, two unique new residents at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Starting their jobs with Wild Friends’ educational program
Best Friends Magazine
Smiling person surrounded by baby Quaker parrots, including one on her head

Animals from closed zoo find safety at Best Friends

After a zoo in Puerto Rico closed, hundreds of animals needed new places to live — and help getting there.
Their futures are bright
Feature
Baby owls after they've matured in rehabilitation

Bringing up orphaned barn owls

Wild Friends welcomes two groups of baby barn owls who had been separated from their parents.
Read how they've thrived
Feature
Ethel and Skylar the pigeons in a carrier being held by Kyle and Naomi

Pigeon pair land a pair of pigeon people

After being adopted, Ethel and Skylar are living in a pigeon paradise and getting comfortable snuggling up to their new people.
Now they live lives of luxury
Feature
Tiger salamander peeking out from behind a rock

Wild surprises in the garage

Wild Friends welcomes two tiger salamanders who need help after finding themselves in similar predicaments.
Both receive rehabilitation until the weather warms
Feature
Cryptid the turtle

Rehabilitating a mystery turtle

The water-loving reptile was found wandering in the desert, injured and alone, and while Cryptid’s identity is still unknown, she’s healing and thriving.
Meet this enigma
Best Friends Magazine