Wildlife Waystation Resumes Limited Operation

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST —  Three months after it was ordered to close its doors to new animals, the Wildlife Waystation began accepting birds, raccoons, and other small critters Wednesday.

“It’s heaven,” said Martine Colette, founder and director of the wildlife sanctuary in Little Tujunga Canyon.

Despite a 25-year history of rescuing exotic animals such as tigers and grizzly bears, the facility has racked up numerous environmental violations, according to state and county officials.

In April, state Department of Fish and Game regulators barred the 120-acre refuge from taking in more animals or giving public tours after workers were spotted hosing animal waste off cages, possibly polluting nearby creeks. The facility was already on three years’ probation for altering stream beds.

Other alleged violations included cages that were too small or too crowded. Last month, the facility agreed to stop discharging pollutants into waterways, to repair deficient cages and to fix gaps in its fences.

Under a modified state permit granted Wednesday, the Waystation can now take in small, native California animals and birds, Colette said. So far, it has accepted six birds, including sparrows and finches.

Colette estimated that the refuge had to turn away 3,200 animals over the last three months. “It was the most nightmarish time of my life,” she said.

County prosecutors have urged the court to appoint a special master to monitor the facility’s environmental compliance. The Waystation agreed to the appointment and a hearing on the matter is scheduled today in Newhall Superior Court, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Miller.