The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center will release the very first merlin ever successfully raised in a rehabilitation setting in Virginia.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is holding a Gala later this month. It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year, and John Carlin will be the auctioneer this year!

“The bobcats are doing great. They have probably tripled, not quadrupled in size at this point. They’re eating the equivalent of one whole chicken a day … but they’re doing wonderful,” said SWVA Wildlife Center Executive Director Chester Leonard.

The bobcat kittens rescued by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center are now on the path to recovery. Now, you can watch them LIVE in their enclosure at the SWVA Wildlife center in Roanoke through the WSLS 10 Bobcat Cam.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has a new addition: a baby beaver kit, making three kits in its care this year.

A non-profit is asking for the public’s help to aid your furry friends.

An elusive creature rarely seen, but most notably heard at dusk in the Blue Ridge Mountains have captured the communities fascination for decades. Two new bobcat kittens just arrived at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke, bringing their litter now up to three.

A week-old beaver kit has become the newest arrival at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke. Center president Sabrina Garvin received a call from a pair of canoeists who found the little beaver this weekend in the Sandy River Reservoir.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has welcomed its first bobcat kitten of 2025. It’s distinct sounds can once again be heard at the Roanoke facility. Watch as 10 News Anchor Rachel Lucas got to feed the kitten rescued in Floyd County.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is excited to announce the arrival of its first bobcat kitten of 2025!

Isn't he cute? The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has welcomed a new ambassador opossum, and it needs a name.

A way to donate to local charities — without spending a dime — could be as simple as swiping your Kroger rewards card when you shop for groceries.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is sending a clear message this fawn season: if you see a baby deer, leave it alone. Trying to help a fawn may actually do more harm than good.

Springtime is in full swing at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center- and that means they are caring for hundreds of babies, including more than 100 opossums.

Play a round of golf for a good cause. Registration is still open for the annual Birdies Fore Birdies golf tournament.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is launching a new recycling initiative called Cans for Critters!

The first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been spotted in Southwest Virginia! Sightings are now documented in Roanoke, Danville and Huddleston. Those spotting the birds say they've arrived earlier than usual this year.

The first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been spotted in Virginia! According to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, hummingbird migration is underway, and it won’t be long before Southwest Virginia sees the return of one of it’s most beloved birds.

Spring is in the air, and so are the season’s tiniest travelers.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is seeing an increase in the number of birds getting hit by cars.

A boost to local nonprofits' bottom line, early giving is now open for Smith Mountain Lake Gives Day which officially kicks off on Midnight Wednesday.

Today, the Wildlife Warriors for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center held their 3rd Annual Baby Shower! The goal of the Baby Shower is to prepare for the spring baby rush, when the Wildlife Hospital expects to admit more than 1,000 injured or orphaned baby wildlife.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center received its first-ever eastern spotted skunk this week!

This year the gala is at Hotel Roanoke with a night full of dancing, cocktails, live music, dinner, hors d’oeuvres and special appearances from the center’s wildlife ambassadors. The event is Saturday. Tickets are still available. Anyone can bid on silent auction items online.

A Night Owl on the Town. Tickets are on sale now for the annual Gala Fundraiser for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has just announced it will be releasing a red-tailed hawk into the wild at the Roanoke River Greenway.

A waddle back to the wild — that’s what happened as seven orphaned ducks returned to their natural habitat Wednesday.

It was a great day to be out on the golf course and help a good cause.

During its busiest time of year, a local wildlife center is working to raise money to help care for injured and orphaned animals.

It’s the busiest time of year at a local wildlife center.

Two orphaned bobcat kittens rescued by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke have gotten their happy ending. After nearly a year, and an estimated $20,000 cost of care, the female bobcat kittens WSLS featured through the 10 News bobcat cam on wsls.com have been successfully rehabilitated and released.

People in Virginia may start to see unexpected wildlife visitors venturing into neighborhoods in search of food.

It’s almost time for hummingbirds to make a return to the area. They’re already flying into the Carolinas and should be in Southwest Virginia shortly.

Baby animals are on the way, and what better way to celebrate than to throw a baby shower?

Babies are coming to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Every year, there’s an uptick in young animals starting in the spring, and staff need your help preparing for their arrival.

The bobcat kittens rescued by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center are now on the path to recovery. Now, you can watch them LIVE in their enclosure at the SWVA Wildlife center in Roanoke through the WSLS 10 Bobcat Cam.

Center officials said a nine-and-a-half-pound bald eagle was brought in with a gunshot wound.

The annual gala charity event for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center released a red-tailed hawk from the Mill Mountain Star.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is calling on the community for help after taking in two adorable bobcat kittens that have a long road of recovery ahead.

You may have noticed a lot of fawns, or baby deer, starting to pop up around the area. While your first instinct might be wanting to swoop in and come to their rescue, experts are actually urging that you leave them alone.

It’s that time of year where bears are out and about again, some of them making their way to local neighborhoods.

The Wildlife Warriors are inviting you to a baby shower benefiting the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

Those tiny birds are making their migration back to the states. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has tips on how to safely attract them to your home.

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center's newest ambassador needs a name! The public can vote what they think this adorable dwarf squirrel should be called. The names Pecan, Peanut, and Nutter Butter have made it to the final round of voting through Facebook and Instagram. An anonymous donor also nominated the name Baldwin.

Staff said the baby bobcat has head trauma and was likely hit by a car.

One local barred owl is getting the chance to fly the nest, thanks to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

Two Great-horned owls are returning to the wilderness after their habitat was destroyed.

Matthew Danco started building a mammal enclosure last October and on Thursday, he revealed the final project.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke will be releasing a Mallard duck and a Canada goose at the Virginia Tech Duckpond Gazebo on Thursday, July 21st at 4 p.m.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center gave an orphaned bear cub a second chance at life.

After being trapped in a storm drain since Saturday, seven ducklings are now safe thanks to quick work from a Roanoke City Animal Control Officer.

Two baby great horned owlets are safe and re-nested after falling from a tree.

A tiny creature with an inspiring story that could help save other wildlife is making a big impact in Southwest Virginia.

Radford University students were shocked Thursday afternoon to see a slew of dead birds on the ground.

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is offering owl naming rights in an online fundraiser.

When tasked with completing a public service project to earn Eagle Scout certification, 17-year-old Matthew Danco knew he wanted to help the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke.

A Pete Rose autographed baseball, a limited-edition David Letterman jacket, designer brand fashion accessions, artwork, jewelry, gift cards and even the naming rights for Southwest Virginia’s newest Education Ambassador animals are up for bid in an online charity auction to support local wildlife.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center released two birds back into the wild Thursday afternoon.

Thanks to two donations from local businesses, the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke continues to rescue wildlife and nurse them back to health.

While rehabbers at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke are used to some precarious rescue operations, their latest literally sent them on a wild-goose chase 85-feet in the air. A young Canada goose was found tangled in netting on the facilities drone cage.

The Southwest Virginia Wildlist Center of Roanoke took a quack at saving one adorable baby mallard’s life.

Black bear season is officially underway.

Signs of spring are everywhere and another one is headed our way! Hummingbirds are making their migration back to southwest Virginia.

ROANOKE, Va. – After the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center and the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors won favor of the court in a second lawsuit brought by neighboring property owners, a motion to reconsider has been filed. Neighbors Blain Creasy, Adrian Maver and Stan and Jane Seymour made the appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Without it, the birds are taken two hours away to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro. AdAttorneys for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center said an appeal was expected. AdIn response, the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has filed a countersuit against Creasy, Maver and the Seymours alleging conspiracy to injure the nonprofit in reputation, trade, business, and profession.

ROANOKE, Va. – Spring begins Saturday and while many of us are ready to get out and about, animals are feeling spring fever too, especially those who have wintered indoors while recovering at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. The center is at the start of what Executive Director Sabrina Garvin calls their ‘baby season,’ the center’s busiest time of year. AdThe seasonal euphoria of spring spreads quickly at the wildlife center. It’s that magic moment Garvin describes that keeps center volunteers and staff passionate about the work they do. Follow the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center for more photos and videos of new patients and success stories.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center wins favor of the court in a second lawsuit brought by neighboring property owners. The Circuit Court of Roanoke County again ruled in favor of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center Wednesday in the lawsuit related to a Special Use Permit to build an aviary to rehabilitate large birds. Gilbert Law, PC, attorneys for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, made the announcement via Facebook Friday. The announcement states “although the pending case could be appealed, the Supreme Court of Virginia held on November 2, 2020 that the neighbors failed to prove standing in the first case and refused to hear the appeal.”In total, neighbors have filed three lawsuits against the SWVA Wildlife Center. Litigation has been ongoing since 2018.

SALEM – A local 10-year-old chose to give gifts instead of receiving them this year for his birthday. For his birthday he wanted to take up donations for the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center, and the community certainly showed up. A number of vehicles drove through his birthday parade and dropped off donations the center needed. 10-year-old Gabe asked for donations instead of presents for his birthday parade. AdThe wildlife warriors, a local group that supports the SWVA Wildlife Center also gave Gabe a gift of his own.

SALEM, Va. – Instead of receiving gifts, a soon-to-be 10-year-old is going to be the one giving out presents this year to a good cause. They safely scooped the bird up in a bucket and took it to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke, where staff were able to help it fly again. Now instead of gifts for himself, this year for his birthday he’s asking for donations to help other animals like Toby at the center. They’re asking you to purchase a gift from the SWVA wildlife center needs list. Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke Wish List:

DANVILLE, Va. – An injured owl rescued by a firefighter along the Dan River is nearly ready to fly again, thanks to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. The barred owl will be released back into the wild on Saturday, near where it was found in Danville. The owl was found by a Danville firefighter hanging upside down entangled in some fishing line and injured its leg in the process. Wildlife center staff member Madison Burnette, who helped rehabilitate the owl, says it took nearly two months for it to heal. “In the end, the ends justify the means, when we get him out to where he belongs.”Burnette said the wildlife center planned to release the owl New Year’s Day, but weather pushed back their plans.

ROANOKE, Va. – A local wildlife center, that’s usually the one to swoop in and save the day, is now the one getting rescued by another animal-loving nonprofit. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke relies on donations to take care of the hundreds of animals they work to save each year. The Roanoke Valley SPCA stepped in and helped them take their silent auction online and they raised $23,000. “It’s really heartwarming to see,” said Sabrina Garvin, Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. The center has 200 more patients compared to this time last year, so the donation will go a long way.

Roanoke An animal that went missing after a break-in at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has been found. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke shared an update on their Facebook page on Thursday night. The juvenile squirrel went missing after someone vandalized its outdoor cage, among others. (SWVA Wildlife Center of Roanoke)Good news! Were pretty positive weve recovered the patient that went missing after last weeks break in.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A local wildlife rescue center says someone broke into their facility, cut their security cameras and defaced their property on Friday night. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke shared an update on their Facebook page on Monday night. According to the center, someone broke onto their property and cut their security cameras. The center also said an animal that was recovering in a cage is now missing after the cage was disturbed. They’re asking anyone with information to call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 1-800-237-5712.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke wildlife center is not be accepting new animals for a few days, although it could be longer than that. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center announced on Saturday afternoon that it would, “pause intaking new patients for a few days, perhaps even beyond that.”The organization cited a few reasons for what it called a “difficult decision”:Working with a skeleton crewSeeing more animals than the previous yearThe strain of the coronavirus pandemic on the center’s resourcesOngoing lawsuits preventing the center from having suitable caging to quicken our turnaround time for patients“... in blunt honesty, we are all killing ourselves trying to save everything. We are all completely overwhelmed both each individually and as an organization,” the center posted to Facebook. While no new animals will be admitted, animals already in the center’s care will continue to be treated. “We’re sick to our stomachs that we even had to consider doing this – this is the first time in our history that we’ve had to do something like this and we feel ashamed.”

ROANOKE, Va. – Heavy rain and cold temperatures can mean deadly conditions for wild animals in southwest Virginia. A local rescue center wants to give them a second chance at life. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke has been taking in a lot of animals with hypothermia, including beavers, groundhogs, and birds that have been drenched with heavy rain that’s hit the region. A groundhog gets medical care at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center after it suffered from hypothermia. (WSLS)“They’re coming in cold, hypothermic and they’re basically on death’s door,” said Hayley Olsen-Hodges, a staff naturalist at the center.

ROANOKE, Va. – Legal battles continue for a local wildlife rescue center. For the second time, a judge is dismissing a neighbor’s case against the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke. That neighbor, Stan Seymour, has now filed with the Supreme Court to overturn the judge’s decision. The center has also filed a lawsuit for conspiracy, basically alleging that their neighbors are trying to bring them financial harm by filing these lawsuits. This is their attempt at getting the money back that they spent defending themselves in legal fees, which is upwards of $85,000.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some bear cubs are receiving help thanks to a local wildlife center. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center spent all Monday night caring for three cubs brought in from Willis, Virginia, after a woman found them in a cooler a man was carrying as he walked down the road. On Tuesday morning, the trio was transferred to the wildlife center in Waynesboro where they’ll stay until they’re ready to be released. They had to have subcutaneous fluids," SWVA Wildlife Rescue Center Executive Director Sabrina Garvin said. "They were already warm because I think she had put rice socks in there, so they were nice and warm.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Supporters of a local wildlife center are protesting a local businessman's restaurant. Dozens of people stood outside of the Bojangles' on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke County on Friday night. The franchise is owned by Stan Seymour, who is one of several people involved in a lengthy legal dispute with the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. The Wildlife Center wants to build an aviary for large birds, but Seymour and other neighbors have challenged that plan, which has angered protesters. Just don't spend your money at Bojangles'," said Dale Thompson with Wildlife Warriors.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has claimed a legal win as it looks to help more animals in need. In the case brought against the center, the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia found that the petitioners in the case do not have standing. Since 2018, the center has been looking to build a raptor building to help rehabilitate large birds. The building of the aviary was challenged by Stan and Jane Seymour, as well as Adrian Maver and Blaine Creasy, who all own property near the center. The ruling against the petitioners could be challenged further by being appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia or asking the Circuit Court to review its ruling.

ROANOKE, Va. - It was a rare sweet moment in nature, as a baby bird gave up its own food to feed another younger, injured bird. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is caring for a nest of cedar waxwings. When one young bird is offered food, instead of eating it, it brought it over to feed an even younger bird with a broken leg. The small bird is unable to move because of his injury, but its nest mate makes sure it's getting enough to eat. Is it play behavior, letting young birds practice the skills they'll need in adulthood when they raise their own babies?