Learn about Bald Eagles in this episode of UNTAMED.   Wildlife Center staff members discuss the conservation successes of Bald Eagles, as well as the threats that eagles still face today, including lead poisoning and vehicle collisions. Buddy, the Wildlife Center's non-releasable Bald Eagle ambassador, is featured. 

Learn about Black Bears in this episode of UNTAMED. The Wildlife Center staff members illustrate what it's like to care for Black Bear cubs, explain how we're working to understand and treat mange in wild bear populations and demonstrate what you should do if you encounter a Black Bear in need of help.

 Citizen science is known as the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the public. Those participating in citizen science projects and activities are not professional scientists; rather, this collaborative research is done by everyday people in a wide variety of settings around the world to help answer questions that scientists can’t answer by themselves. Whether participating in bird counts, water sampling, frog watches, butterfly monitoring, plant data, or other projects, anyone can find a fun and meaningful way to contribute to the scientific community, often providing valid insights into the natural world. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM  UNTAMED websites

 Learn about invasive plant and animal species, native species, and non-native species. Although world ecosystems are in danger from a whole host of varied and distinct threats, there are few issues more difficult to tackle or more complex to understand than invasive species control. These species arrive in an ecosystem in which they are not native and have not evolved, with no existing space within the habitat. Invasive species may outcompete, overtake, or cause general harm and disruption to their new ecosystems. Elimination and control are a necessary part of conservation, everywhere from Virginia to the world’s most remote island. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.

 Pollinators are a vital part of our world and are essential for creating and maintaining habitats that many animals – including us! – rely on for food and shelter. The diversity of pollinators in a particular area is a key indicator of the health of an overall ecosystem. Unfortunately, many pollinators are in trouble, with populations declining significantly around the world. This episode highlights the importance and function of pollinators, with an emphasis on what we can do in our homes and communities to ensure the survival of these important species. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.

 Water is the great architect of Earth and a defining factor for the location and movement of life on this planet. Without water, our world would look very different; without the watersheds which capture, coalesce, move, and recycle water throughout a natural system, human and wildlife habitats would not be the same. Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes are some of the most heavily utilized and pressured natural systems on the planet; these critical habitats have taken the brunt of negative human actions for years. Now, more than ever, we must learn to safeguard our watersheds for the protection of all life that depends on them.For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites. 

 As humans continue to move across and dominate the open landscapes of North America, transforming diverse native ecosystems into managed areas for crops, livestock, or even simply for aesthetics, our native residents and transient wildlife lose habitat. That is why it is up to all of us – landowners and managers, farmers, and homeowners — to make decisions to oversee a multi-use landscape, one which both wildlife and humans can utilize for the benefit of all. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.   

Learning about wild predators can help people peacefully coexist with them.The biggest, most carnivorous predators have been demonized throughout history, from the big bad wolf of children’s stories to the great white shark of cinema legend. Wildlife educators spend a lot of time dispelling myths and fighting fears, helping people and predators move from conflict to coexistence.Every corner of nature, from your backyard garden to the open sea, has its own food chain. Even the tiniest sprout has an important role in this circle of life, a sequence in which every organism is predator, prey, or both. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites

Learn about the diverse group of wildlife known as water birds -- loons, herons, egrets, ducks, geese, grebes, pelicans, and more -- which makes up 30 families, and, collectively about 800 species. Water birds can be found in the mountains, rivers, marshes, and coastal plains; each adapted to their specific environment. Whether year-round residents or long-distance migrants, many water birds depend on critical wetland habitats. Learn more about this amazing avian wildlife and how we can change our behaviors to help their habitats and populations. UNTAMED looks at the wild and often perilous world of wildlife, as seen through the eyes of the patients of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a non-profit teaching and research hospital for native wildlife.

Learn how wildlife survives the tougher winter months. With cold temperatures and fewer food resources, the winter season can be challenging for many wild animals. Some animals migrate to different areas, some hunker down for a long winter’s nap, and some simply continue their daily activities. Join Ed Clark, the WCV staff, and other conservation professionals as they discuss how a variety of wildlife survive the often-harsh conditions of winter. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.