Lindsay Wildlife Experience reopens Exhibit Hall with new Bald Eagle Habitat

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Lindsay Wildlife Experience reopened its Exhibit Hall this week for the first time since closing last year due to the pandemic. The exhibit also has a new habitat for its Bald Eagle animal ambassador, Atsá.

They held a special members event on Tuesday. The Exhibit Hall reopened to the general public on Wednesday, May 5.

With Lindsay’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital accepting patients and daily public programs at Lindsay’s outdoor campus, the reopening of Exhibit Hall completes the non-profit organization’s return to pre-pandemic operations, while following necessary safety precautions and social distancing measures as guided by national, state and local health officials.

“We are very excited to receive visitors in our museum again and witness the awed faces of children seeing wildlife up close, timidly touching a snake or a porcupine, or watching in delight as a hawk soars above their heads,” said Executive Director Carlos de la Rosa.

“These early formative experiences are some of the greatest rewards we have as educators and conservationists, and will help build a society more in tune with the needs of wildlife as well as people.”

Eagle habitat

The addition of the new Eagle Eyrie habitat allows visitors to observe and interact with Atsá. The bird is Lindsay’s rehabilitated but non-releasable Bald Eagle animal ambassador.

The interactive exhibit presents a naturalistic, state-of-the-art setting. Completed during the closure, the habitat is a step towards expanding and enriching Lindsay’s educational offerings to the public and creating engaging and realistic habitats for its permanent wildlife residents.

“The new Bald Eagle habitat and natural history exhibit are just the beginning of our exhibit hall returning to full access and operation,” de la Rosa said. “Our outdoor programs combined with online and indoor experiences will help us fully recover from the pandemic and continue to grow and expand our wildlife experiences. We can’t wait to see visitors and celebrate our love for wildlife and nature with them.”

Reduced hours

Because Lindsay Wildlife Experience wishes protect the health and safety of its guests, Exhibit Hall will initially open with reduced hours and reduced capacity.

The Exhibit Hall will open to the public Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will limit capacity to 50 percent of normal, or 75 guests, at one time. They will also restrict access to interactive, high-touch exhibits. All public areas will be sanitized regularly. All guests ages 2 and older must wear masks and social distance throughout Exhibit Hall.

Access to attractions such as Lindsay’s Behind the Scenes Theater remains restricted due to social distancing. However, people can connect with wildlife in several ways. This includes viewing  hospital staff giving patients life-saving care in the monthly “Lindsay at Home: Hospital Behind the Scenes” online program.

You can also enjoy onsite outdoor programs Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10 a.m. and daily at 3 p.m. For more information, please call (925) 935-1978 or visit lindsaywildlife.org.