Meet the Nature Station Animals

The Nature Station Red wolves are ambassadors for their critically endangered species. These wolves are part of a captive breeding program with the hopes of raising the number of Red wolves in the world. The Red wolf population currently stands at just 200 individuals, most of whom are in human care. In April of 2022, Ember and Jasper became proud parents to four pups: Trace, Piney, Ginger, and Sugar. With six wolves at the Nature Station, the Nature Station proudly cares for 3% of the entire Red wolf population. The pups will likely be moved to other facilities in the coming years to have families of their own; however, they were named after LBL locations, so no matter where they go, they will always have a little piece of LBL with them! The Red wolves are most likely to be seen in the morning or late afternoon when they are feeling more playful.

Campbell and Cadiz were found as 4-week old pups. They had been separated from their parents and rescued by concerned humans. Campbell was found by soldiers at Fort Campbell, and Cadiz was rescued by a woman from Cadiz. Both coyotes went to a wildlife rehabilitator but could not learn the skills to survive. This included the most important skill: staying away from humans. As a result, it was decided they needed a permanent educational home. Campbell is the "ham" of the two coyotes and can be easily seen by most guests. Cadiz often hides, preferring to come out later in the evening as female coyotes tend to be shyer and more reclusive.

 Billie was born in the Spring of 2022 and orphaned shortly after birth. She grew up without siblings or an opossum mother to imprint upon, so she became dependent upon her human caretakers. As a result, she is considered non-releasable due to a lack of fear of humans. She was named after Bill Ott, a dear friend to the Nature Station who, along with his wife Beth, have made a significant positive impact locally as wildlife rehabilitators. Billie (the opossum!) loves sardines, cat food, and blueberries.

Born in 2018, One of the nation’s largest rodents, this giant ground squirrel came to us from a family who found her abandoned and starving near a soybean field.  The family tried to care for her, but realized that was not the best choice for her, so she was given to a wildlife rehabilitator. The rehabilitator determined that she was imprinted, meaning she had lost her fear of humans. Having no fear of predators, cars, or humans can be lethal to an animal.  Only seen at the Nature Station during warmer months, she spends her winters tucked away deeply sleeping in hibernation.

This lovable rascal can often be seen chasing butterflies or belly up asleep in the sun. Hit by a car at 8-weeks old in 2017, he had a rough 8-month recovery at Walden's Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation in Joelton, TN. He suffered from broken back legs and neurological damage. Thankfully, he recovered from his injuries, but became extremely habituated to his caretakers and could not be released.  Our previous bobcat had passed away in 2016 after 22 years, so the Nature Station was able to give him a “forever home.” Typically, he is viewable at all hours, but your best chance at seeing him is during feeding times or enrichment programs!

Tahahente is a rescued female bald eagle who found her new home at the Woodlands Nature Station through a partnership with the American Eagle Foundation. She comes to us from Upstate New York along the St. Lawrence River and was born in 2015. She cannot be released back into the wild due to her partial wing amputation from a gunshot wound. With permission, she was named after her rescuer who has a Native American Mohawk name meaning “one who leads.”
Dohi is an adult male bald eagle originally from the eastern side of West Virginia. He joins us after spending a few years at the Avian Conservation Center after he was found with an injured wing, likely the result of a gunshot wound. Didatinidohi is a Cherokee word meaning "leader" or "captain." Dohi was named with the help of individuals from the Cherokee Language Department, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site.

Named after the children of known environmentalist and conservationist Steve Irwin, these giants of the deep spend the day staying as still as possible, trying to lure in that one unsuspecting fish. Rescued from California where they are not native, they had to be found homes in their native range but not released into the wild due to the microbial harm they can do to wild populations. They joined the Nature Station in 1999 and currently weigh over 35 pounds!

The third largest turtle at the Nature Station, this former pet has grown quite a bit from her time in a 10-gallon aquarium. She now weighs in at about 6 pounds! Her name is short for algae, which she is covered with. The best times to see her are sunny mornings when she is stretching and doing "turtle yoga" while trying to warm up, or during special feeding programs while chasing her favorite food: bell pepper boats! 

This non-native deer's kin were introduced into LBL in 1918 and a small population still exists near the Nature Station today. They can be seen best during October, when their kind are in rut and are bellow throughout the hills and hollows during mating season!

Given to us by Salato Wildlife Center due to an overabundance in their herd, our white-tailed doe often greets our guests during feeding time.

Our eastern wild turkeys greet every guest with color, flair, and even a bit of a gobble! These four became heavily imprinted from just a few days old.  The Nature Station turkeys often come from local farmers who have accidentally exposed turkey nests while haying their fields in May. 

Dragon got her name for her voracious appetite and the sounds she makes when she gets excited for food!  This shy girl was hit by a car as a fledgling, and is now unable to fly due to her injuries. Meet Dragon and her other two vulture buddies during feeding or enrichment programs.

The most common squirrels in Kentucky, our little guys were unfortunately injured by cats, who do a number on flying squirrels in the wild.  Meet Digit and Superman during our flying squirrel programs.

Named after his iron red tail, Ferrous was found alone as a chick in Spring 2020 and taken to a rehabilitator. He was initially released into the wild, but unfortunately kept approaching humans for food, so he found a new home here with us. He has quite the curious personality - you can see him out on raptor row with the rest of the birds! 

Often known as the "hoot" owl, Midnight came from the Liberty Nature Center. They had rescued her from a barbed wire fence, which severely damaged her wing. She is unable to fly. The Dorothy & Noble Harrison School 4th graders gave her the name Midnight for her nocturnal habits.

Given to us by a local vet in 1996, this largest of the Land Between the Lake owls was raised by humans and released back into the wild. She had to be recaptured as she could not catch food on her own.  In the wild, these large raptors often catch and eat their favorite food: skunks!

Rose & Carson were named by Audubon Elementary 4th graders after influential woman conservationists who helped to save bird species during their careers.  Both screech owls were hit by vehicles and have suffered impairments.

The smallest of the falcons, our kestrel was given to us by Raptor Rehab of Kentucky, who had her as a chick and were raising her to be released. During her rehab, she suffered a permanent injury that left her unable to be released into the wild. She is named after the common nickname, the "sparrow hawk", and a favorite food she eats.

Rather large for a barn owl, this feisty bird came to us from the Kentucky Wildlife Center. She was hit by a car and lost her capability to fly. Barn owl populations are on the decline in Kentucky due to loss of habitat and widespread use of rodenticide.

All former pets, these tiny turtles represent many different niches or habitats found in Land Between the Lakes - from the forest floor to swamp bottoms.  Come watch them race during one of our turtle derbies!

Land Between the Lakes has 26 species of snakes.  Only four of those are venomous!  Our snakes were either donated to us by the Kentucky Reptile Zoo and Louisville Zoo, or were former pets like Fen, our Cottonmouth, who was named by Pacheck Homeschoolers.