Wildlife Encounters is a program designed to educate Michigan’s citizens about the wildlife and habitats found right here in our great state.

Developed by MUCC in cooperation with the Michigan State University Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Encounters programs feature native Michigan wildlife that have been permanent disabled and can’t be returned to the wild or are obtained from licenses captive breeders.

The use of wildlife in this type of program is strictly regulated and Wildlife Encounters operates under permits from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For your safety and theirs, all of the animals used in the presentations are tethered.

During presentations, live animals are used to highlight a wide range of wildlife concepts including information on the animals' biology, life history, adaptations, myths, and wildlife problems. Ecological relationships, such as habitat requirements, species interactions, and population status in Michigan are also discussed.

The 45-60 minute presentations are kept lively and entertaining, and provide an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. To ensure a quality experience, audience size is limited to a maximum of 250 people.

• School Groups - Eighty percent of Wildlife Encounters™ programs are given to schools. They are suitable for grades 1-12.
• Senior Citizens - Allows people who may not be able to get outdoors an opportunity to see an exciting wildlife program.
• College Seminars - Wildlife Encounters™ will tailor presentations for groups wishing to study specific concepts or area of interests.
• Clubs and Organizations - An ideal presentation for club meetings.
• Special Groups - Presentations can be arranged for groups with special physical or emotional needs.