Willowbrook Wildlife Center

What's Open

What's Closed
Wildlife admissions at Willowbrook Wildlife Center 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The outdoor exhibit trail and surrounding forest preserve are open 10 a.m. – 3 pm. Willowbrook Wildlife Center indoor visitor center.

We continue to accept wildlife patients 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., but call 630-942-6200 first before coming.

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.

Avian Flu Statement, FAQs and Information

 

temporary-capacity-some-orphan-species

We are at capacity for and currently not taking in orphaned ducklings, goslings, raccoons and squirrels. We are accepting cottontails again as well as injured animals of any age or adults of these species.

 

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 7 days a week 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We are closed on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. 

Wildlife Rescue Advice

 

Donate for Wildlife

We appreciate your gracious donations to care for orphaned and injured wildlife. Support DuPage wildlife today!

Donation Wish List (PDF)
Amazon Wish List (link)

Save Wild Animals

Donation Wish List

 

Wildlife Acceptance Policy

Willowbrook treats injured, ill and orphaned native animals to DuPage County. We do not accept skunks, bats, deer, or trapped nuisance animals. We do not accept nonnative animals, including European starlings, house sparrows and pigeons. We also do not accept native wildlife raised as pets, as efforts to reverse any taming or imprinting are unsuccessful.

Willowbrook may have species-specific admission criteria. In the case where an animal does not meet that criteria and is unable to be treated at the center, we may be able to help rescuers and other agencies find other licensed wildlife rehabilitators or referrals.

 

Photography

Commercial and portrait photography in DuPage forest preserves requires a valid still portrait photography permit in the photographer's possession. Please see the photography page or call Visitor Services at 630-933-7247 for more information. 

    

Driving Directions

The main entrance is at 525 South Park Blvd.

Education Programs 

Families, children, Scouts and youth groups can enjoy a variety of fun programs about birds of prey, mammals and insects throughout the year. Willowbrook also offers programs that meet state curriculum standards for grammar and high school classes.

For more information, visit our school programs and teacher resources page or call 630-942-6200.

 

Visitor Center

Note: Our visitor center will remain closed until a new building opens in 2024. For more information, see Upcoming Projects. 
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, 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 a sandhill crane and serves as a unique educational experience.

On This Page

Help Us Help Wildlife 
Wildlife Acceptance Policy  
Photography
Driving Directions 
Education Programs
Visitor Center 
Outdoor Exhibits
Butterfly Garden
Nature Trail

 

Contact the Center

630-942-6200

 

Hours & Things to Know

The visitor center is closed, but the outdoor exhibit and nature trails, and surrounding Willowbrook Forest Preserve are open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Willowbrook accepts most wildlife patients 9 a.m.  – 5 p.m., but call 630-942-6200 first before coming.

Our animal admittance area is open 7 days a week 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We are closed on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. 

 

Living With Wildlife

Get tips for common issues with wildlife, and visit Living With Wildlife.

 

Support Wildlife

We appreciate your donation to care for orphaned and injured wildlife.

Adopt an Animal

Donation Wish List

Amazon Wish List

 

Volunteer Programs

See more about Willowbrook Wildlife Center's volunteer opportunities. 

 

More Places to Go

Forest Preserves
Illinois Nature Preserves
Danada Equestrian Center
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Kline Creek Farm
Mayslake Peabody Estate
St. James Farm
Willowbrook Wildlife Center 


Give Gift of "Get Outdoors"

We now offer gift cards — available in multiple denominations — for forest preserve programs, permits, equipment rentals and merchandise. 

Purchase Gift Card

Willowbrook Programs & Events
Our Willowbrook Wildlife Center offers programs about native wildlife year-round. Sign up today!
Register