Places to Go-Willowbrook Wildlife Center

We're at Capacity for Some Orphans!

Willowbrook Wildlife Center has temporarily reached the limit of the number of orphan waterfowl, cottontails and raccoons we can humanely care for without compromising animal welfare. We are limited in cage space, personnel and other resources necessary for the humane and correct rearing and rehabilitation of these wild animals. We can be of assistance to help locate other licensed wildlife rehabilitators or to provide humane euthanasia. Thanks for your understanding.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center

Willowbrook Wildlife Center at Willowbrook Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn is a native wildlife rehabilitation facility that provides care and medical treatment to injured and orphaned wild animals. It also serves as a resource to teach DuPage County's residents about living in harmony with local wildlife.

Help Us Help Wildlife

If you find a wild animal exhibiting signs it needs help, get the information you need to assess its condition at our wildlife rescue advice page. Determine if it needs help, and then take action.

Before you make a drive to Willowbrook, call 630-942-6200. Our animal admittance area is open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. –5:30 p.m. and weekends 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. We are closed on select holidays.

Wildlife Acceptance Policy

Driving Directions

The main entrance is at 525 South Park Blvd.

Our visitor center offers a closer view of native wild species. Windows look into the kitchen and nursery where staff and volunteers prepare specialized diets and care for baby animals. The center also provides restrooms and a drinking fountain.

Outdoor Exhibits

Native wildlife with permanent disabilities are provided homes along Willowbrook’s outdoor exhibit trail. Residents include red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, owls, red foxes, groundhogs and raccoons.

Butterfly Garden

Willowbrook’s butterfly garden showcases landscape ideas to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Interpretive signs introduce necessary elements to provide suitable habitat including food, water and shelter. The area contains tagged plantings that are attractive to butterflies, and a sensory garden that abounds with sights, smells and textures. An educational display cabin offers a close-up view of nectaring butterflies and blooming plants, a butterfly puzzle and play area.

Nature Trail

Our nature trail features a half-mile outer loop and a shorter inner loop through 40 acres of restored prairie, savanna, woodland and wetland habitats. The trail hosts native animals that live in DuPage forest preserves. An enclosed wetland bird habitat along the trail also houses two sandhill cranes and serves as a unique educational experience.