Tenafly Nature Center cares for 30+ animals that, due to a variety of reasons, cannot be released into the wild. Instead these animals act as ambassadors for their species and help our staff educate thousands of adults and children about the adaptations and needs of local wildlife and the importance of protecting their habitats.
You can help TNC care for these amazing individuals by participating in our Sponsor a Species program.
Sponsoring an animal at Tenafly Nature Center for yourself, a friend, or your organization is both rewarding and fun. Your sponsorship will help care for them by aiding in the cost of their upkeep! Contributions assist TNC by providing support for their food, building and improving enclosures, and securing necessary medical care.
What better way to share your love of animals than to help ours receive the best care possible! Please consider making a donation next time you visit TNC.
…To Care For TNC’s
Animal Ambassadors
collection of non-releasable wildlife.
| Species | Total Annual Cost Per Animal |
|---|---|
| Frogs and Salamanders | $533 |
| Invertebrate Tank | $613 |
| Chinchillas and Rats | $709 |
| Lizard | $745 |
| Turtles | $760 |
| Hawk and Owls | $1123 |
| Snakes | $1128 |
Chinchilla
Inca was formerly someone’s pet. The family that surrendered her was no longer interested in caring for her, and she was given to Rabbit Haven by the Sea, a NJ rescue organization located in ...
Fancy Norway Rats
Our trio of Fancy Norway Rats came to TNC in 2024 from Small N’ Furry Rescue. This organization places small animals in need of caring homes, a mission we are proud to support! Rachel (Carson) and Hazel ...
Red-tailed Hawk
In the fall of 2006, Ruby was found tangled up in a tree on Long Island close to power lines. They found a string twisted around her left wing, an injured left eye, and red nail polish on her beak, legs, and feet.
Barred Owl
Mene was found with an injured wing along a road in Pennsylvania. Most likely Mene was scavenging road kill when the force of the wind from a passing vehicle caused this light bird (owls' bones are hollow) to be lifted up ...
American Bullfrog
Fred and Ethel were obtained through a reputable source for education purposes. Our previous bullfrog ambassador was found at the TNC cul-de-sac when ...
Eastern Box Turtles
Wild was brought to TNC to be released, illegally and without permission from TNC, in 2001. A family had picked her up while on a road trip and kept her in their ...
Wood Turtle
Maple is a wood turtle which are threatened in New Jersey mainly due to habitat loss.
Confiscated from someone who was running a black market reptile trade these hatching Diamondback Terrapins came to live at TNC in 2020.
Corn Snake
Ellie is a wild born corn snake, also known as a red rat snake. Ellie was found with an injured tail, and was illegally taken in for treatment by someone who ...
California Kingsnake
Empress was purchased at a reptile expo by an individual owner, and is an example of an amelanistic morph. The owner was unable to provide quality ...
Yellow-red Rat Snake
Originally purchased at an exotic animal expo, Rufus was surrendered to the Hudson Valley Reptile Rescue in the spring of 2021 when he stopped eating ...
Bearded Dragon
Reptar came to us in 2019. He was found by someone walking in a local park and was hanging on a fence. We have to assume his former owner released him ...
In 2011 a family surrendered Lego to TNC. They were moving and felt she was "too aggressive to be handled." After much patience and care, Lego became the ...
Walking sticks are a nocturnal insect which mimic tree branches. To help avoid detection they sway back and forth to mimic a branch blowing in the wind.