Happy Thanksgiving!

Like many other Americans, the Wildlife Center staff are also preparing Thanksgiving dinner today.  The two staff members and three students working at the Wildlife Center on November 24 perhaps have a larger crowd for which to cater!  With a “guest list” of 83 – the birds, mammals, and reptiles that are patients at the Center right now, as well as the two dozen educational ambassadors — there are many preparations and ingredients out in the kitchen today.  While 83 may seem like a large guest list, this will be a fairly “easy” day compared to earlier this year when we had as many as 250 patients to serve!

Some of the ingredients for these Thanksgiving meals may not be what others are traditionally serving — such as the mealworms and earthworms that will top the box turtle meals, or the fish for our Bald Eagle patients — but each meal will be freshly prepared for each patient that we have!

Rehabilitator Amber and preceptorship student Allie will be creating meals for:

• 24 Eastern Box Turtles
• 9 Eastern Grey Squirrels
• 6 Eastern Screech Owls
• 6 Virginia Opossums
• 5 Bald Eagles
• 5 Great Horned Owls
• 3 Red-tailed Hawks
• 2 American Crows
• 2 American Kestrels
• 2 Barred Owls
• 2 Broad-winged Hawks
• 2 Red Cornsnakes
• 2 Eastern Ratsnakes
• 2 Mourning Doves
• 1 Black Bear
• 1 American Robin
• 1 Black Vulture
• 1 California Kingsnake
• 1 Common Garter Snake
• 1 Russian Tortoise
• 1 Golden Eagle
• 1 Mallard
• 1 Peregrine Falcon
• 1 Rock Pigeon
• 1 White-footed mouse

While Amber is busy in the kitchen, Dr. Miranda and her two veterinary externship students will be treating the Wildlife Center’s patients as usual — the 30 animals that are receiving medications, bandage changes, or just routine health checks.

The Center is able to provide quality health-care to wild animals in need through the generosity and support of caring individuals.  We send you our best wishes for a wonderful holiday.  Our patients are thankful for your support … and we are too!