Prairie Dog mascot highlights wildlife education at Abilene baseball games
A once-lost prairie dog is now taking the spotlight at Abilene Prairie Dogs baseball games, thanks to a new partnership with the Big Country Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
Wilson Wahoo, a prairie dog who escaped the enclosure at Red Bud Park and had to be rescued from a garage, has become a local celebrity and educational ambassador for the wildlife center. Nursed back to health after his rescue, Wilson is now a regular guest at the Prairie Dogs' home games on Thursdays as part of the team's Throwback Thursday events.
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'Wilson is extremely tame and makes an excellent ambassador,' said Jennifer Coleman, founder of the Big Country Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
Founded in 2021, the rehabilitation center operates in the heart of the Big Country with a mission to care for injured wildlife and return animals to their natural habitats. The center also focuses heavily on education, aiming to build understanding and stewardship of local ecosystems.
The organizations website says habitat loss is increasing and community education and involvement are critical to preserving the role wildlife plays in our environment.
Community support, through volunteering and donations, keeps the center's operations and outreach efforts alive. Those interested in learning more or getting involved can visit bigcountrywildlife.org.
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Fans can catch Wilson Wahoo and the Abilene Prairie Dogs during Throwback Thursday games this season. For game details, visit abileneflyingbison.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
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