Expansion of the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehab and Education Program

There has been a need for wildlife rehabilitation capabilities in coastal Alabama, which the City of Orange Beach has addressed over several years by establishing and maintaining the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program. The tragedy of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster and the immense number of injured wildlife from the oil spill highlighted the need for greater capacity to treat injured and sick animals in the Gulf region. 

To help address the gap in wildlife rehabilitation capacity in the central Gulf, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the City of Orange Beach have applied $1,192,255 in RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component funds and $621,260 from the City of Orange Beach to expand the Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Program. The construction and retrofit of the new facility was completed and operational in early 2025. This new facility has greatly enhanced the capabilities of the City of Orange Beach Wildlife Rehabilitation Program to increase the capacity to care for local birds and mammals. The new facility includes an exam room, surgery room, wildlife shelter and recovery areas, and outdoor enclosures for mammals, birds and aquatic animals. The city has also provided improved living space in a separate building for interns who support the operation of the facility. 

This project is another great example of a city, state and federal partnership that conserves the region’s natural resources. Helping to offset the devastating impacts of the 2010 oil spill. As a result of this project, the Gulf Coast region’s preparedness and capacity to respond to incidents impacting wildlife has greatly improved.

Keala J. Hughes
Director of External Affairs & Tribal Relations
(504) 717-7235
keala.hughes@restorethegulf.gov