It’s that time of year when many baby animals abound. If you come across what appears to be an orphaned baby animal, usually the best course of action is to leave it alone. Parents are often close by, even if you can’t see them. The refuge provides habitat for animals, but we do not have any facilities to treat orphaned or injured animals. If you see an injured animal, or if the baby animal is in distress, that is when licensed wildlife rehabilitators step in! For injured birds, please contact The Raptor Trust at the link below.
For more information, or for other animals, please consult New Jersey’s list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators at https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/artrehab10.htm
The Raptor Trust
Dog Walkers
We love dogs too at Great Swamp NWR, but our priority is to protect people, wildlife, and habitat. Service dogs are welcome anywhere that is open to the public. Dog walking is ONLY allowed along Pleasant Plains Road and in the parking area and grass area immediately around the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center. Dogs are not allowed on ANY refuge trails or at the Wildlife Observation Center. Dogs must be on a leash and owners must clean-up after their pets. Dog feces contain several diseases which are transmittable to wildlife. Please cooperate, since you can be ticketed if you are in violation. Thank you!
Wildlife Observation Center Update
The Wildlife Observation Center is open dawn to dusk, the restrooms remain closed. Please check the Refuge's Facebook page for up to date information.
There are a wide variety of visitor activities available at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge including wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education and hunting.
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