Cottonwood Rehab

07/07/2025

Ms Linda moved from the ICU to her big bear cage today. Not sure what to do. Hasn't tree climbing lessons but does know how to climb wire. Now about 30 pounds. Thanks for all the donations to LEWF for her groceries. They are really paying off.

06/30/2025

We had such a great time celebrating ISH! Her 24th birthday party was so much fun and a great success. We are so grateful for all who attended. We couldn’t do the work we do without all of you who support our efforts. THANK YOU! ISH loved her cake and the attention she received. Even Bat the turkey vulture made an appearance. Thank you to our volunteers who helped make this event a success! If you would like to send a birthday donation to ISH, please visit lewf.org.

06/25/2025

Here at LEWF, we cannot name a more dynamic duo than Dr. Ramsay and ISH. Their bond was instant and their love for one another is unmatched. Although ISH has given Dr. Ramsay a run for her money, like locking her into our feed station, there is no better helper than ISH. Dr Ramsay is LEWF’s head rehabber and we couldn’t do all we do without her. We are so grateful for both Dr. and ISH. They continue to keep us all on our toes and help us keep going. Come out to celebrate with ISH and Dr Ramsay this Saturday (6.28)!

Purchase tickets 🎫 here: https://www.lewf.org/event-details/ishs-24th-birthday-party
Please consider donating as a gift 🎁 to ISH : https://www.lewf.org/donate

06/23/2025

🍎🍏 🎉🎊🥳 We are in full swing getting ready for ISH’s birthday this Saturday 6/28. We still have a few tickets 🎫 available for purchase. The event will be in the Chamita, NM area. Some may wonder why we have not posted the exact location. Well, we are a smaller facility that normally is closed to the public. This is our first time opening up our facility for visitors! Although a portion of our facility will be closed to for viewing due to Linda the bear 🐻 cub, those joining us will be able to meet ISH and get a first hand look at who we are as a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Did you know all proceeds will be going back to wildlife rehabilitation efforts? What better way to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts than meeting an Elk in person (she may even give a kiss 💋) and spending a few hours with some wonderful people?

Purchase tickets 🎫 here: https://www.lewf.org/event-details/ishs-24th-birthday-party
Please consider donating as a gift 🎁 to ISH : https://www.lewf.org/donate

06/22/2025

Thank you, Los Alamos, for an incredible ScienceFest!

This was our first time participating, and we had an absolute blast! We loved sharing the mission of LEWF and helping folks learn why wildlife rescue and rehabilitation matter—especially for our furry and feathered friends.

We’re already looking forward to next year… but first, it’s time to celebrate ISH’s 24th Birthday this weekend! 🎉

Join the party and support wildlife rehab—tickets are still available at www.lewf.org/event-details/ishs-24th-birthday-party

06/19/2025

Thank you Santa Fe New Mexican for sharing about ISH and our upcoming party!

Tickets are still available on our website lewf.org. We hope to see you on the 28th!!

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/paws/party-planned-for-ish-a-femaie-elk/article_4e1ca39a-288b-43cf-8e7d-02d8da2184ee.html

She is a foster mother to orphaned calves.

05/17/2025

Upside down and lying on her back. Life is good. "Linda" is now drinking all her formula from a bowl and we started her on some solids today.

05/14/2025

Linda is doing really great. She is officially eating on her own for several days now which is important for her long term success. The less she has to interact with the two who are on her care team, the better her chances are for not becoming habituated (used to humans/dependent on humans). It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT at our center to limit interactions and prevent habituation as our #1 priority always is to get these wild animals back to where they belong and be successful once there. We are extremely grateful for all those who have shown interest, donated, and help share her story. If you would like to donate, please do so at lewf.org.

05/06/2025

What are you doing on this rainy day? Introducing Linda. Our head of Rehab and Vice Chair, Dr Ramsay and Executive Director, Nirankar Horak went out in the rain to clean our ICU cage after getting the call of a BEAR was on its way. To our surprise it is a this year cub and couldn’t survive on its own. NM Game and Fish has been keeping an eye on this cub for a couple of days hoping mom was around. When it was obvious that she was nowhere to be found, they were able to capture her and bring her in to our center. She is dehydrated and hungry but full of life. Because she is so young her food bill will get expensive FAST! She is from Santa Fe area. Any donations are much appreciated (link in bio). We thank Officer Apodaca and NM Game and Fish for their hard work to get this bear to us so we can give her a fighting chance. https://www.lewf.org/donate

04/26/2025

We are set up and ready for Earth Day! Please come join us at for some wonderful education and activities.

03/23/2025

Today, we had the privilege of hosting the Espanola High School class of 1964, which is currently in its 60th year. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Cy, Ida, Gwen, Eutimia, Diane, and Janet, who comprise this committee. After their class reunion, they graciously decided to donate their remaining funds to us. We cannot express our gratitude enough for choosing us as the recipient of their generous donation.

During their outing, they had the opportunity to meet with ISH (foster mom elk extraordinaire), Dr. Kathleen Ramsay (head of our rehabilitation program and vice chairman), Donna Casados (Board Chairman), Nirankar Horak (Executive Director), and Tyrone Horak (head of our education program).

First Two pictures - Cy, Ida, Ish, Gwen, and Eutimia
Final Picture - Eutimia, Gwen, Cy, Ida, and Dr. Ramsay

06/08/2024

Victoria is not allowed near the bears or the new Elk Calf. Be she is an incredible assistant. She washed all the bear food bowls and helped me make Elk Milk. The third generation learning to care for wildlife.