1982-2008: The development of the Wildlife Center of Virginia

K.W. Stanley/"History in the Valley"
Published: June 16, 2008

A recent story about an eaglet born in the Norfolk Botanical Garden with a growth on its beak, received at the Wildlife Center of Virginia near Waynesboro in May 2008, exemplifies the quality of treatment injured wildlife receive at the center.
The eaglet received a CT scan at the Augusta Medical Center and a biopsy analysis by the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Center at the University of Georgia. The eaglet was diagnosed with avian pox and will be treated at the center before its release.
The center treated 50 bald eagles in two years. A loon admitted in May 2008 was the 50,000th patient at the Wildlife Center.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is recognized as the nation’s leading research and teaching hospital for clinical wildlife medicine and has treated more than 200 species of native amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds since 1982.
This nonprofit research and training wildlife hospital has trained more than 130 senior veterinary students from 75 percent of veterinary colleges in the United States and from other nations in 25 years.
The center’s history began in late 1982, after a conversation between Ed Clark and Dr. Stuart L. Porter. Their conversation concerned calls received by the Blue Ridge Community College veterinary school about the care of injured wildlife. Clark and Porter were convinced there was a need in the Mid-Atlantic region for a facility to treat wild animals.
Clark, a graduate of Bridgewater College in political science, had a background that included advocacy for national conservation groups and work as assistant director of the Environmental Task Force in Washington, D.C.
Porter, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, had a background as director of Animal Technology at Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC).
The Shenandoah Valley Wildlife Treatment and Rehabilitation Center was founded Nov. 9, 1982, by Clark, Porter and their wives. The center operated from its hospital at BRCC. A barn on the horse farm of Clark’s former in-laws in New Hope was used for rehabilitation of wildlife recuperating from treatment.
The Shenandoah Valley Wildlife Center launched a fund drive Aug. 26, 1984, to build a facility on land donated by the Ruritans behind the fire department in Weyers Cave. The center consisted of three temporary mobile units.
By 1992, Lewis Garrett of DuPont approached Ed Clark about a land donation for a new wildlife center in Waynesboro. Center officials met Jan. 29, 1993, at the Purple Foot restaurant in Waynesboro with business and industry officials to raise $1 million for a new Wildlife Center.
DuPont donated seven acres worth $700,000 on South Delphine. Cabinetry was donated by the Augusta Hospital Corporation with medical equipment from King’s Daughters’ Hospital worth $100,000. A geo-thermal heating and cooling system with 10,000 feet of buried pipe was donated by Virginia Power.
The Wildlife Center relocated to the new 5,700-square-foot building, costing $500,000 with advanced diagnostic labs and x-ray equipment, on June 3, 1995.
The center now employs three full-time veterinarians, treats 3,000 wildlife annually and conducts wildlife programs for 30,000 school children every year. Dr. Porter parted with the center in 1995, remaining with the veterinary school at BRCC. Clark now serves as the center’s president.
Between 1982 and 2008, the Wildlife Center of Virginia has treated more than 50,000 wild animals, presented programs to more than 1.4 million children and adults and trained wildlife professionals across the United States and in other nations.
K.W. Stanley is a Waynesboro resident, historian and TNV correspondent. Contact him at .