Rescues
More than half of our residents are rescues, with varied stories and backgrounds. These are just a few of the animals you might get to see on your visit. If you are interested in contributing to their lifelong care, please make a donation or consider booking an event with us.
Al
The first resident of The Creature Conservancy, Al was abandoned at a nearby veterinary practice in 2005. Alligators are often victims of the exotic pet trade, as their sale is poorly regulated. These animals have specialized needs that are rarely met by private owners, and quickly grow to be dangerously large. Al now has a permanent enclosure with seasonal indoor/outdoor access and can be viewed year-round, with interpretive talks and feedings taking place in the summer.
Quinn
Quinn is an injured non-releasable bald eagle. She was struck by a car in 2014, and the flight feathers on her left wing were irreversibly damaged. She was rescued by the Illinois Raptor Center, and after being deemed unfit for release into the wild, she was rehomed to The Creature Conservancy in early 2017 for educational purposes. She cannot fly well enough to hunt, and will be on interpretive display for the rest of her life.
Suzi
Suzi arrived at The Creature Conservancy, her 5th home in 3 years, in early 2017. Like many captive birds, she began plucking her feathers due to lack of environmental stimulation, and is now unable to stop. She lives with 6 other macaws surrendered for a variety of reasons- excessive noise, aggression, mess, and an inconveniently long lifespan among them. These highly intelligent birds can live up to 70 years.
Dumpie
This ball python was found in dumpster near the local dorms after the academic year ended. Many reptiles are inexpensive to initially purchase, but keeping their needs met throughout their surprisingly long lives is often a costly surprise for ill-prepared owners who expected a shorter-term commitment. These reptiles can live for 30 years, and reach 5 feet in length.
Jerome
Jerome the Argentine Tegu was brought to a nearby vet for euthanasia after developing a rare but treatable jaw infection. As is common with exotic animals, the prospect of the vet care Jerome required proved too costly for a private owner. He is now a permanent resident at The Creature Conservancy, where he will receive ongoing medical care for the rest of his life.
Visit The Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor during our weekend open hours, or schedule a class field trip, to meet these creatures and many more rescues. You can meet our foxes, great horned owl, black vulture, turkey vulture, eagle owl, and other rescued residents, and hear their stories in person.