FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — For nearly 40 years, Critter Creek Wildlife Station in Yokuts Valley has been home to countless animals, with many of them needing rehabilitation.
That is, until recently, when the Department of Fish and Wildlife confiscated nearly all of the animals.
Louise Culver has been operating Critter Creek since 1986.
There are two sections at Critter Creek: an educational area and a rehab center.
In February, inspectors from the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s educational permitting office came for a regular yearly inspection, except this time, rehab inspectors were also present.
We asked if the rehab team had ever been for an inspection.
“No, never,” said Culver. “About a week later, they came out and just confiscated everything, no notice. We had no idea. They never told us really what was wrong.”
The educational permit is still active and in good standing, which is why some animals are still there.
After requesting more information, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife sent Louise a letter detailing the issues and giving them a June 1 deadline to correct the problems.
“June 1 came and went, they never came out and reinspected,” said Culver.
Fish and Wildlife sent a statement, saying in part that Critter Creek’s “permit to rehabilitate was revoked as CDFW is investigating violations to the wildlife rehabilitation center’s permit and memorandum of understanding, the Fish and Game Code and wildlife rehabilitation regulations.”
The department also confirms 16 of the 45 animals removed have been euthanized, allegedly due to “severe animal welfare concerns.”
But Culver says it was the handlers who confiscated the animals that did more harm to them.
“Everything they took pretty much had something wrong, but they were ok, they were healthy, they were eating. They were in an enclosure they were content with,” said Culver.
She said the fight will continue in court.
Critter Creek’s educational exhibits are open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They ask that you call ahead to let them know you are coming. Their number is 559-338-2415.
