Wildlife Waystation, Beloved Animal Rescue, Abruptly Closes

SYLMAR, CA —Lions and tigers and bears, goodbye. After rescuing more than 77,000 wild animal, LA’s famed Wildlife Waystation closed its doors for good Tuesday having been beset by fires, flooding and management upheaval in recent years.

The longtime rescue operation’s closure will leave wildlife officials and rescue groups scrambling to find new homes for nearly 500 animals currently living at the Sylmar facility including lions, tigers, wolves, bears, chimps and hedgehogs. Operating on 160 acres in the Angeles National Forest, the nonprofit has been a sanctuary for everything from skunks to tigers. The Waystation frequently took in animals suffering from abuse or disease. However, the rescue was damaged in the Creek Fire and in a flood earlier this year. Repair expenses piled up, and its founder departed after decades at the helm.

According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the sanctuary’s board voted earlier this month to surrender its operating permit. The move follows a months-long management shakeup that began with the May departure of founder/president Martine Collette.

Her departure came amid a major fundraising effort aimed at making repairs at the facility, but amid more management shakeups in recent weeks, the future of the facility became bleak.

“CDFW will maintain oversight of the facility until all animals can be placed at appropriate wildlife facilities,” according to a statement released Tuesday by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. “CDFW’s primary concern is for the health and welfare of the animals at Wildlife Waystation. CDFW is working collaboratively with the Wildlife Waystation staff to ensure the best possible care during this transition.”

The Waystation was incorporated in 1976 and served as a sanctuary for animals including tigers, lions and chimpanzees. According to its website, the facility “has helped more than 77,000 abused, abandoned, orphaned and injured animals” since its incorporation, including wolves, coyotes, camels, hyenas, reptiles and leopards.

It was a popular destination for animal lovers and volunteers. However, California Department of Fish and Wildlife called on the public to avoid traveling to the property which is “closed until further notice.”

Matthew Simmons, who co-founded the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center in Frazier Park and had been running the Waystation following Collette’s departure, has been brought in to help find new homes for the animals, according to a statement from the Lockwood facility. Also brought in was Rebecca Richard, the former Wildlife Waystation lead veterinarian.

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