Peggy Callahan, Founder, Executive Director
A native of Rochester, MN, Peggy first became interested in canines through her family dogs
who were her constant companions. Inspired by a reply to a letter she had sent to a wolf
biologist asking for a job at age eight, Peggy earned a degree in Biology from Carleton
College and began working for the "Wolf Project" in August 1985. For five years she managed
the colony for research, focusing on refining chemical immobilization techniques for use in
the field. In addition to her wolf time, Peggy also assisted with studies involving Black
Bear, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer and Wolves in the field, including assisting with the Isle
Royale wolf captures in 1989 and 1991. When federal funding for the Wolf Project ceased in
1991, the Wildlife Science Center was created by Peggy to keep the facility open. After
three years of intensive building and program planning, the Wildlife Science Center opened
it's doors to the public as a non-profit education and research facility.
Publications by Peggy Callahan
Bob Ebsen , Education Director
Bob joined the WSC staff in the fall of 2001, after spending the last seven years working at
Long Lake Conservation Center as an education instructor. Bob is a licensed science teacher
with lots of experience teaching and writing curriculum.
Danielle O'Neill
Assistant Education Director
Danielle taught high school science in northern Maine, then in New Hampshire before joining
the WSC staff this year. She has a Master’s degree in ecological teaching and learning.
Kyle Malsom
Animal Care Coordinator
Kyle worked for the National Wildlife Research
Center assisting with one of the wolf
studies conducted at WSC. He joined our staff in the summer of 2006 after the study was
completed. Kyle (along with Matt) lives at WSC's Linwood facility and provides animal care
to the resident wildlife at both campuses, as well as coordinating volunteer animal care
duties.
Matt Row
Animal Care Technician
Matt came to us from the University of Minnesota and was hired during the summer of 2006
after spending 2 years as our intern. Matt (along with Kyle) lives at WSC's Linwood
facility and provides animal care to the resident wildlife at both campuses.
Joy Fusco
Executive Administrator
Joy joined the staff full time after serving in a variety of capacities including board
member, volunteer and baby bear nanny. Joy handles everything from the finances to program
scheduling and can even be found teaching or wrangling wolves from time to time.
Mike Buckman
Resident Caretaker
Mike started as an intern in June 2001 and moved in as the Forest Lake campus' Caretaker
that September. Mike has had experience handling white-tailed deer and Canada Geese and
currently works as an Animal Control Officer for his 'day' job. He provides animal care and
anything else that needs doing evenings and weekends at the Center.
