Meet The Wildlife Science Center Staff

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. Scientific Papers

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Bob Ebsen: Education Director

Bob joined the WSC staff in the fall of 2001, after spending seven years working at Long Lake Conservation Center as an educational instructor. Bob is a licensed science teacher with lots of experience teaching and writing curriculum.

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Megan Callahan-Beckel: Animal Care Coordinator

Megan has worked at WSC her whole life, but became an official staff member in May of 2019.  She is our primary wolf mom and works very hard to make sure our pups have a safe and well socialized up-bringing each summer. During the past winters Meg has worked on several studies at and away from WSC including; Harvard’s MicroBiome Study, Duke University’s Canine Cognition Study, University of Arizona’s Canine Cognition Study and a recent reproductive study for the Species Survival Program.

Payton Hill: Animal Care Specialist

Payton came to the Wildlife Science Center as an intern in the Fall of 2021, and was hired as a full time care specialist in December of 2021. Payton graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2021 with a Bachelors in Environmental Science. Payton has always had a love for animals and making sure that every animal is cared for. Her favorite thing about working at the Wildlife Science Center is that she gets to be a part of the conservation of each species in their care, learn about them, and build a bond.