Animal R&R

ANIMAL R&R is a documentary series about imperiled wild animals in San Diego County and the people who give them a second chance.

Narrated by Joan Embery, the series follows Project Wildlife and Fund for Animals, San Diego rescue centers that take in sick, injured, lost, and orphaned wild animals.

In a city well known for its celebration of exotic species, ANIMAL R&R reveals the heroism and beauty of the region's humble, native creatures.

With their stories as through line, the series goes further, taking a broader look at the history and environment of San Diego, the most biologically diverse county in the nation.

An expert panel investigates the context each rescue story, offering social, historical, and scientific perspectives.

Ultimately audiences will take away fresh insights into how the coexistence of humans and wildlife works along the many abrupt and shifting boundaries of San Diego, a uniquely patterned and essentially Californian place.

ANIMAL R&R is on Facebook.

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This baby raccoon (or kit) is still bottle feeding and will be in rehabilitation for another six to eight months.

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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This little skunk lost two of the nails on his right paw in a sticky trap. Can he survive in the wild with only one good hand? Watch the story of "Lefty" (as we've dubbed him!) on "Animal R&R."

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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We called this opossum "Sneezy" - we suspected that she suffered a head trauma and brain damage after a probable predator attack.

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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Still way too small for carrots...a baby rabbit in Project Wildlife's triage center.

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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Project Wildlife volunteers feed hundreds of baby songbirds by hand every season.

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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Young owls cared for by the Fund for Animals.

Courtesy of Fund for Animals

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Screech owl

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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This red-shouldered hawk, who got entangled in a fence, tastes freedom again after four weeks in rehabilitation.

Courtesy of Animal R&R

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A young bobcat kitten was rescued by Border Control after getting stuck in a cactus. Several dozen cactus spines had to be removed from this little guy.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

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A young bobcat kitten was rescued by Border Control after getting stuck in a cactus. Several dozen cactus spines had to be removed from this little guy.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

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A young bobcat kitten recovers after being rescued by Border Control after getting stuck in a cactus. Several dozen cactus spines had to be removed from this little guy.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

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An orphaned coyote pup in a recovery den after being examined.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

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An orphaned coyote pup in a recovery den after being examined.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

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Two orphaned coyote pups in a recovery den after being examined.

Kathy Milani for The Humane Society of the U.S., an affiliate of The Fund for Animals

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1 airs Wednesday, May 23 at 10 p.m. - In this episode, the rehabilitation teams at Project Wildlife and The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center meet a red-tailed hawk singed by the San Diego trolley, an opossum with a sneezing problem, a hummingbird who's losing his feathers, and a skunk rescued from a rat trap.

Episode 2 airs Wednesday, May 23 at 11 p.m. - In this episode, the rehabilitation teams at Project Wildlife and the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center meet a peregrine falcon rescued from the tarmac at the San Diego airport, a red-shouldered hawk that has started self-mutilating, an opossum with a half-burned face, and a clutch of screech owls trying to regrown their feathers.

ABOUT PROJECT WILDLIFE:

Since 1972, Project Wildlife's dedicated volunteers have given injured, orphaned and sick wild animals a second chance at life. This commitment to helping wild animals has grown tremendously and Project Wildlife is now one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation organizations in the country. Our medical staff and volunteers assist 8-10,000 birds and mammals each year and we have cared for over 320 species to date. Project Wildlife is on Facebook, Pinterest and you can follow @projectwildlife on Twitter. The Project Wildlife hotline: 619-225-WILD (9453).

ABOUT THE FUND FOR ANIMALS:

The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center is located in northeast San Diego County in Ramona, California. The 13-acre facility provides medical and rehabilitative care for native predatory species of wild mammals and birds. A fully equipped medical center and trained staff and volunteers ensure that the special needs of ill, injured, or orphaned wildlife can be met year-round. The center specializes in hawks, owls, eagles, skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. A 150-foot, free-flight enclosure enables birds of prey — from Cooper's hawks to Golden eagles — to exercise their atrophied muscles after recovering from illness or injury. Once rehabilitated, the birds are released back into their home territory. The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center is on Facebook.