Animal Zone: California Wildlife Center - Wild Patients, Second Chances - Season 16, Episode 07


AnimalZone heads to the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains for a behind-the-scenes visit to California Wildlife Center, where injured, orphaned and displaced native wildlife receive expert care—and a second chance at returning to the wild.

We meet Jenn Guess, Executive Director of California Wildlife Center, who introduces us to the remarkable variety of animals treated at the Center and explains the specialized care different species require.


With the Malibu coast just ten miles away, the Center even has a dedicated rehabilitation area for marine mammals. One unusual feature immediately catches our attention: fencing not only surrounds the enclosure but extends across the top. Jenn explains that the surrounding mountains are home to natural predators, so the recovering marine animals need protection from above as well as around them.


Then we follow the treatment of a juvenile raven as the veterinary team carefully examines the young bird and takes X-rays, giving us a fascinating glimpse into the sophisticated medical care required to diagnose and treat wildlife patients who can’t tell their doctors where it hurts.


We also get a look at some of the other remarkable wildlife cared for at the Center—including a wonderfully curious burrowing owl, photographed during its stay there.

Throughout our visit, we discover the extraordinary combination of veterinary medicine, specialized nutrition, rehabilitation and compassion that goes into giving wild animals another chance. And the ultimate goal is always the same: whenever possible, return them to the wild where they belong.


It’s an inspiring look at the people working behind the scenes to protect California’s native wildlife—and the remarkable patients getting a second chance to soar, swim, scamper and return home.

Uploaded on Sep 8, 2026 at 10:48 pm