THOUSAND OAKS : Animal Project Joins Center

A wolf, a raccoon, a great horned owl, a snapping turtle and an alligator will move from a Simi Valley back yard to a Thousand Oaks park, where they will join a Chumash interpretive center to create a double feature for visitors.

“With their wildlife presentations and our center, it’s going to be dynamite,” said Paul Varela, executive director of the Chumash Interpretive Center, which is leasing 20 acres at Oakbrook Park to the Raptor Rehabilitation and Release program. “Together we’ll both be successful.”

Varela said in addition to attracting more visitors, the two attractions will be able to coordinate educational programs, with members of the Chumash tribe of Native Americans telling stories about bears or coyotes.

Jerry Thompson, founder of the animal program, said he is looking forward to working with the Chumash.

“This is a people that revere these animals,” he said. “I wish the modern people would have the same sense of brotherhood and sisterhood with the animals.”

Thompson receives wounded animals from private parties, the Humane Society, and government agencies. About a third of the animals suffer from gunshot wounds, he said.

Last year, he nursed about 1,200 animals, mostly birds, back to health.

Thompson keeps about 30 permanently disabled animals for use in educational demonstrations. The rest are released back into the wild.

Thompson said his nonprofit organization is seeking donations to help construct a wildlife education amphitheater and is looking for an isolated location to house the animals being rehabilitated.

Even as he waits for funding, though, Thompson said he is thrilled about the possibilities of the new site.

“It’s ideal,” he said. “It really helps both the Chumash and ourselves. And it really helps the animals out.”