April 2011 was a busy month at the Wildlife Center.  Patient admissions are not only increasing with the arrival of spring, but April also brought some unique and high-profile cases to the Center as well.

By far, the most well-known patients at the Wildlife Center are the three eaglets from the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.  After their mother was hit and killed by a plane, DGIF decided to pull the eaglets from the nest and bring them to the Wildlife Center.  They’ve been here not even a week — but already are transforming the Wildlife Center! 

While other patient may not be nearly as well known as the eaglets, the more unique animals that came in last month include:

• Two Common Loons
• A Louisiana Waterthrush
• A Rufous-sided Towhee
• 5 Green-winged Teal ducklings
• 6 adult Bald Eagles

The Wildlife Center also re-admitted Peregrine Falcon #10-2118 after her initial care and stabilization at Nature’s Nursery in Ohio.  This falcon was admitted to the WCV last fall and was placed with falconers in December to begin some intensive-flight training to prepare her for release.  After traveling with the falconers in March, she managed to escape in Fort Wayne, Indiana [after the falconers' car was broken into].  The falcon was found one week later and was taken to Nature’s Nursery Center for Rehabilitation in Ohio for stabilization.

By far, the bulk of the case load in April was made up of young injured and orphaned mammals.  For the month, we admitted:

• 72 Eastern Cottontail Rabbits
• 48 Grey Squirrels
• 78 Virginia Opossums

As of April 30, WCV staff were caring for 175 patients.  We expect even more admissions in May!

The Center depends on the donations of caring individuals to provide veterinary care to wildlife and training in wildlife veterinary medicine.  Please help!