
take action for wildlife
do you do the WILD 5?
These 5 simple actions can save wild lives in your neighborhood. Join the challenge now!
The Wild 5 Checklist
Start with these 5 actions:
Ditch Glue Traps
Use humane options like repellents and barriers—so you don’t hurt innocent wildlife by mistake.

Take THE WILD 5 challenge ToDAY
GET YOUR WILD CARD: A PRINTABLE guide to wildlife-friendly living

What You’ll Receive
- Instant Wild Card with practical tips and product swaps
- Weekly emails with tools and ideas for easy changes you can make
- Links to ethical alternatives—like owl boxes, decals, humane traps, and dark-sky bulbs
- Online actions you can support—like a petition against glue traps
Built by the wildlife experts at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and the Wild Welcome Project.

Share The Wild 5 and join thousands who’ve pledged to help wildlife:
- Download our Wild 5 Instagram Story Share Images
- Share on your social media and tag #DoTheWild5
- Inspire friends to join the movement
Follow @wildwelcomeproject for wildlife tips, actions & more!
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Goose Spotlight 🌟 Did you know this about our wetland neighbors? Geese form lifelong bonds and care for their young as a team 🧠 They can recognize individual human faces and remember them over time 🌾 Their grazing and seed spreading help maintain healthy wetlands ❄️ Specialized feet keep them warm in cold water 🚮 They face real risks from pollution and discarded fishing line Often spotted near lakes and open fields, geese are intelligent, social birds who play an important role in our ecosystems. By learning more about geese, we can create safer spaces where people and wildlife can thrive together. 🔗 Find more intresting facts at wildwelcome.com/animals-around-us #WildWelcome #MeetYourWildNeighbors #GeeseOfInstagram #SantaBarbaraWildlife #CoexistWithWildlife #RespectWildlife #UrbanWildlife #WetlandLifeButton
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What does hope look like? This baby barn owl’s journey reflects the heart of Wild Rescue—a story of healing, resilience, and return. While its tale isn’t featured in the film, it mirrors the countless wild lives touched by wildlife rehabilitators every day. The film is a tribute to those many small victories and the people who make them possible. This patients jouney is real story from @sbwildlifecarenetwork 🎥 Trailer: www.wildrescuemovie.com 📍 Theaters: www.wildwelcome.com/wild-rescue-movie#locations #WildRescueMovie #BarnOwl #WildlifeRescue #AnimalHope #CosmicPictureButton
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Too young to survive alone 🦡 After 89 days in care, this orphaned badger was released back into the wild—a story of survival and compassion. While not part of the film’s narrative, it echoes the urgent rescues and moments Wild Rescue brings to the screen. Now playing in select IMAX® and Giant Screen theaters! 🎬 Trailer: www.wildrescuemovie.com 🎟️ Tickets: www.wildrescuemovie.com This badgers journey is real patient story from @sbwildlifecarenetwork #WildRescueMovie #BadgerRescue #NowPlaying #CosmicPicture #WildlifeRescueButton
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From orphaned to homeward bound. This young mule deer’s journey speaks to the spirit of Wild Rescue—resilience, release, and the power of care. Its journey, though not featured in the film, is a real SBWCN patient story, one of many that helped inspire and shape the heart behind it. 🎥 Trailer: www.wildrescuemovie.com 📍 Theaters: www.wildwelcome.com/wild-rescue-movie#locations #WildRescueMovie #MuleDeer #AnimalRehab #HopeInTheWild #CosmicPictureButton
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An unlikely duo with a wild bond 🤝 Coyotes and badgers may seem like opposites, but in nature, they’ve been spotted working together, combining their unique strengths to move through the landscape more effectively. It’s a rare example of mutualism in the wild: where collaboration benefits both species. Ever spotted an unlikely duo in the wild? Drop it in the comments. 🌿 #WildWelcome #CoexistWithWildlife #Mutualism #WildlifeBehaviorButton
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Animal Spotlight: The Mighty Vole Don’t let their size fool you—voles play a big role in wild ecosystems! Here are three things you might not know: 🔹 Ecosystem Engineers: Their underground tunnels help aerate soil and spread nutrients, improving plant growth. 🔹 Forest Architects: As they forage, voles help disperse seeds, encouraging biodiversity. 🔹 Climate Helpers: By supporting healthy plant life, voles contribute to carbon storage in soil and roots. They may not get much attention, but these tiny mammals are essential to the balance of the wild. #WildlifeSpotlight #VoleFacts #EcosystemBalance #WildWelcome #CoexistWithWildlife #NatureEducationButton
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Ever wonder why oak trees seem to pop up in the oddest places? Squirrels are nature’s accidental gardeners. Each fall, they bury thousands of acorns—but forget where they hid many of them. These forgotten acorns sprout into new oak trees, helping forests grow and thrive. This unintentional teamwork—called mutualism—helps squirrels survive winter and helps forests regenerate. Let’s hear it for nature’s tiniest tree planters. #WildWelcome #CoexistWithWildlife #UrbanEcology #NatureFacts #MutualismButton
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Mountain Lion Spotlight 🌟 From coastlines to canyons, mountain lions roam more land than any other wild mammal in the Western Hemisphere. ✨ A few wild facts: • Their scientific name, Puma concolor, means “cat of one color.” • They can run up to 50 mph in short bursts—fast enough to chase down agile prey. • Despite their size, they don’t roar—instead, they purr, chirp, and even whistle to communicate. These elusive predators play a vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced. By respecting their space and protecting wild corridors, we help ensure they stay wild—and stay safe. #WildWelcome #MountainLion #PumaConcolor #CoexistWithWildlife #LivingWithWildlife #NatureFacts #WildlifeEducation #ProtectWildlife #CaliforniaWildlifeButton
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🐾 Respect the Rest Stops. Not every wild animal you spot resting needs rescue. Many are just catching their breath—especially during warmer months. 🌞 When wildlife looks still or is breathing heavily, they might just be cooling off, digesting a meal, or waiting out the heat. Here’s what to do: 🔍 Observe quietly from a distance. 🚫 Don’t approach, feed, or try to “help.” 📞 Call a wildlife center if the animal is injured, trapped, allowing dogs to get close, or showing signs of distress (like bleeding or clear injury). Remember, rest stops are part of survival for many species. Knowing when not to intervene can save a life. 📣 Share this with a friend who’s curious about backyard wildlife! 👉 Swipe for tips on spotting the difference between resting and distress. #WildWelcome #ProtectWildlife #CoexistWithWildlife #WildlifeEducation #RespectWildlifeButton
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🦉 No More Poison, Please! Did you know? Rodenticides don’t just hurt rodents—they also poison the owls, bobcats, and coyotes that keep ecosystems in balance. Studies show that over 70% of tested wild carnivores carry traces of rodenticides, even if they weren’t the target. Owls can eat 1,000+ rodents a year, naturally controlling populations. But a single poisoned rat can sicken or kill them. “Pet-safe” or “natural” poisons often still carry risks, harming unintended victims. The good news? You can make a difference: 🔒 Seal entry points to stop rodent access. 🚫 Keep pet food and trash secured. 🐾 Use natural deterrents like peppermint oil. #WildWelcome #ProtectWildlife #RodenticideFree #UrbanWildlife #OwlFriendly #Coyotes #Bobcats #EcoFriendlyTipsButton
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Frog Spotlight! 🐸🌟 Did you know some frogs tap the ground to communicate when calls don’t cut it? Or that the glass frog’s skin is so translucent you can glimpse its internal organs? 🫣 Frogs aren’t just serenaders of the night—they’re vital ecosystem players. They “drink” through specialized skin patches to stay hydrated and regulate temperature, and some can even change color to adapt. In Southern California, we’re lucky to have the Baja California tree frog—a small but mighty insect-eater keeping pests in check. But frogs face big challenges: habitat loss, pollution, and chytrid fungus. 🐸💚 You can help by keeping ponds natural, reducing pesticide use, and sharing these fun facts with a friend. #WildWelcome #CoexistWithWildlife #FrogSpotlight #ProtectAmphibians #UrbanWildlife #Nature #Wildlife #WildRescueButton
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🐾 Can You Guess These Paw Prints? From the forest floor to your backyard fence, wildlife leaves clues everywhere—if you know where (and how) to look. Today’s mystery tracks belong to some of our most iconic woodland neighbors: raccoons, squirrels, mountain lions, and owls. Each has a unique role in the ecosystem—and their prints tell stories of movement, survival, and coexistence. Think you know your wildlife? Swipe to see if you got them all right. Drop your score in the comments! #WildWelcome #PawPrints #WildlifeClues #WoodlandWildlife #CoexistWithWildlife #ProtectWildlifeButton
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Wild Rescue is NOW PLAYING in select IMAX® and Giant Screen theaters! Experience real-life rescue stories from Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, where dedicated staff and volunteers are saving wildlife — and inspiring hope every day. 🎟️ Find a theater near you: https://www.wildwelcome.com/wild-rescue-movie#locations 🐾 Bring the family and be part of the wildest rescue mission of the summer! #WildRescueMovie #NowPlaying #WildlifeHeroes #GiantScreenAdventure #FamilyFun #CosmicPictureButton
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Let’s talk about one of nature’s most patient hunters…HERON SPOTLIGHT! ⭐ Did you know? 🎯 Herons can strike with lightning speed, using their long necks as a spring-loaded spear. 💦 The Great Blue Heron has powder down that keeps its feathers clean and waterproof. 🦤 Some herons are tool-users—Green Herons drop leaves or insects on the water to lure fish! 🌿 Herons stand motionless for ages, waiting for the perfect moment to catch their prey. These graceful waders are essential to our wetland ecosystems, but face threats like habitat loss and pollution. Let’s protect their watery homes and keep our fishing lines out of the water. 💬 Spotted a heron recently? Share your sighting below! #WildWelcome #HeronSpotlight #CoexistWithWildlife #ProtectWetlands #UrbanWildlife #WildlifeFacts #coexistwithnatureButton
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One final exam. One last weigh-in. Then… freedom. 🕊️ Follow the journey of rescued wildlife preparing for release in this behind-the-scenes glimpse into the work of rehabilitation teams. Experience these real-life stories in Wild Rescue, opening June 27 in IMAX® and Giant Screen theaters. 🎥 Trailer: https://vid.cdn-website.com/ce96be0a/videos/wild-rescue-trailer-v.mp4 #WildRescueMovie #RescueToRelease #BTS #WildlifeRehab #CosmicPictureButton
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Wildlife Crossings Happen Anywhere 🌿 Highways aren’t the only places where animals cross paths with people. In June, with baby season in full swing and summer adventures calling, even your driveway, neighborhood trail, or favorite sidewalk can turn into a busy wildlife crossing! 🐾 Slow down—whether you’re driving, biking, or walking. 🐾 Keep dogs leashed, especially in areas with lots of wildlife movement. 🐾 Watch for signs of animal paths—trampled grass, worn trails, or burrows nearby. Let’s give our wild neighbors a little extra space to move safely through their world. 🦌💚 💬 Ever spotted a wild critter on your walk? Share your sighting below! #WildWelcome #WildlifeCrossings #CoexistWithWildlife #ProtectWildlife #SummerAdventuresButton
