Event to Aid Animal Rescue Program

Live entertainment and animals will highlight a release party Saturday at Universal CityWalk for a new children’s CD and cassette to benefit the rescue and sanctuary programs at the Wildlife Waystation.

“Wild for Wildlife: A Musical Tour of the Wildlife Waystation” is a 15-track collection of animal-themed songs.

The tracks, with names such as “Bears,” “I Wanna Iguana” and “Sam the Snake,” are separated by narration that serves as a guided tour of the waystation by founder and director Martine Colette.

Established in 1976 in the Angeles National Forest, the nonprofit waystation provides shelter and medical care to more than 1,000 exotic animals that were sick, abandoned or abused.

The idea for the album came from Tim Arem, a.k.a. T-Bone, a recording artist and waystation volunteer.

The songs--some new, some previously released on other albums--were donated by the artists.

T-Bone and Alex Ligertwood, a former Santana vocalist and album contributor, will perform at the event.

Several waystation residents, including Mystery the chimpanzee and an American golden eagle, also will make appearances, organizers said.

“This is such a wonderful project. It’s informative, educational and entertaining,” Colette said.

“It will also help raise much-needed funds to enable the waystation to continue its mission.”

The release party will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at Country Star Restaurant at Universal CityWalk.

It is free and open to the public.