Maine Wildlife Park
Route 26, Gray
The Maine Wildlife Park (MWP) is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, (MDIFW). The Park is home to over 30 species of native Maine wildlife, including moose, bear, deer, big cats, foxes, raptors, reptiles, small mammals and fish! There is a Nature Store, nature trails, a Snack Shack and Picnic/Grill area. The Park is open daily from mid-April-November 11, from 9:30am-4:30pm. Special events are offered on almost every Saturday from May-October. Visit our web site at mainewildlifepark.com, or find us on Facebook to learn more!
The park sees over 120,000 visitors annually, with recent year’s attendance showing consistent growth. During the peak summer season, close to half of our visitors come from around the U.S. and the globe.
The majority of wildlife in our care are permanent, non-releasable residents that have been placed at the park for a variety of reasons, including human dependence, illegal human possession, as orphans, or with permanent injuries or amputations. Sources for these animals include wildlife rehabilitators, law enforcement, and other captive wildlife facilities. Our animals are generally not undergoing rehabilitation - they are here because they cannot survive in the wild and should not be released. They are given a place to live safely at the MWP, while serving as ambassadors for their species, educating thousands annually about Maine’s native wildlife.
The MWP has a unique organizational and financial structure. It operates exclusively from its own dedicated account, and does not receive Maine State general fund or departmental dollars for its annual budgets. In addition to admission fees, income from the Nature Store, feed machines and direct donations, the MWP is dependent upon volunteers, the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park organization, local businesses, other MDIFW Divisions, and other state agencies for in-kind support. MWP Staff are not biologists or game wardes, but rather uniquely trained/educated for the specialized captive wildlife care and all other operational demands of the Park.
Maine Wildlife Park
56 Game Farm Road (off Route 26)
Gray, Maine, 04039
207-657-4977