Vida Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in the works

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Vida Wildlife is looking to build a rehabilitation center where it can assist and nurse wildlife back to health.

Currently, Vida Wildlife is the only rehabilitation for wildlife in Yuma and pretty soon it will expand its efforts.

The group plans to build a central location where staff can provide better care for the animals. In the meantime, workers care for the wildlife they capture in their own homes.

The rehabilitation program currently cares for 15 different types of owls, hawks, and doves that they are helping learn how to hunt and survive so they can be released back into the wild.

Years ago Arizona Western College used to have a rehabilitation program that faded away, and from there it was up to game and fish to handle wildlife. After securing the necessary permits, Vida is not able to step in to help.

Having a group of experts to handle wildlife is important because of the dangers the animals could post to humans who try to interact with them.

Vida is looking for land to begin building a central location for all wildlife animals.

If you come across any wildlife animals you believe needs help you can contact Linda Winchell, Vida's Assistant Director, at 928-261-6192.