LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Richmond County, Virginia

CIRCUMSTANCE OF ADMISSION:   Likely hit by car

ADMISSION DATE:  May 18, 2012

PROGNOSIS:  Fair

On May 17, a three-year-old Bald Eagle was found on its back near a road in Richmond County, Virginia.  The eagle was taken to Wildbunch Wildlife Refuge and was stabilized with fluids; the bird was not able to stand. The eagle, patient #12-0851, was admitted to the Wildlife Center on May 18.

Dr. Adam and three veterinary students performed the eagle’s physical examination – they found that the eagle was laying down in its enclosure when it was first admitted, though perked up and struggled as it was caught up for the examination.  The bird appeared to have feeling in both legs and feet, though the withdrawl response was a little slower in the right foot.  The eagle was also tested for lead; results came back at a low, yet measureable level.  Since no clinical signs were seen, treatment was not started.  Due to the eagle’s size – a hefty 4.41 kgs – the staff suspects that the eagle is female.

Because the eagle was in good body condition, the team suspects that the bird may have been hit by a car – and was found soon after the collision.  Dr. Adam started the bird on a course of anti-inflammatories and placed the bird in the oxygen chamber in the Center’s surgery suite for overnight oxygen therapy.

On the morning of May 19, the eagle was alert – and feisty!  The eagle was moved to an indoor enclosure in the Center’s holding room. By Sunday, May 20, the eagle was perching and was bright and alert in its enclosure.  Dr. Adam felt that the eagle was stable enough for radiographs; the digital films revealed that everything was within normal limits.

Bald Eagle #12-0851 was moved to an outdoor enclosure – a C-pen – on Tuesday, May 22.  The veterinary team will continue monitoring the injured eagle, and if all goes well, the bird will soon be moved to a larger flight pen.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide state-of-the-art medical care to this Bald Eagle … and to the 2,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year.  Please help!

This writing prompt was the start of a writing assignment for Mrs. Matheson’s class — one that needed to include who the Easter Bunny asks and how that ambassador handles this responsibility.  Mrs. Matheson had her students type the assignment — for easier posting, as well as practice with quotation marks in the dialogue.  

Viewers were left with six choices for the Easter Bunny substitute:  Gus the Barred Owl, Thelma the Virginia Opossum, Squirt the Common Gartersnake, Pignoli and Alex, a tag-team of Eastern Screech-owls, Buddy the Bald Eagle, or Buttercup the Black Vulture.  The campaigning began in earnest!

After 48 hours, the poll ended, and there was a clear winner:  Buttercup the Black Vulture, with 31% of the votes.  Mrs. Matheson’s class began their writing assignment, though a wide variety of education animals were featured in their assignment.  Enjoy!

Click here to read Mrs. Matheson’s students’ Easter Bunny replacement stories.

After recovering from their injuries, and putting on a fair amount of weight, both yearlings were cleared for release by the Wildlife Center veterinary team.  The bears were picked up by DGIF and taken to the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest for release.  

Center veterinary director Dr. Dave McRuer went along for the release, and reports that it was a success.  The smaller Page County bear was out of the culvert trap first, and after a quick look around, ran to one side of a pond at the release site and stood in the water for a few minutes.  The larger Nelson County bear came out of the culvert trap a few minutes later and ran around the other side of the pond before disappearing in the forest.   

WSLS coverage of Black Bear release

Bear release photos:

Page County Black Bear #12-0475 was first out of the truck:

Nelson County Black Bear #12-0073 came out a few minutes later:

At the Wildlife Center, we treat to release.  Your donation will help support the Center’s life-saving work with these Black Bears … and with thousands of wild animals in need. 

NX was released at about 12:10 p.m. by Dr. Dave.  NX flew 75 yards into a tall tree, and sat there for about five minutes, taking in her surroundings.  She then flew through the woods, over an estuary, and into the forest, out of sight.  According to Ed, NX did “everything she’s supposed to do!”

Video of NX’s release

WCVE’s radio coverage of NX’s release

Photos of NX’s release, courtesy and property of Jim Deal:

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Rockingham County, Virginia

INJURY:  Lacerations on back

ADMISSION DATE:  May 9, 2012

PROGNOSIS:  Fair

On the evening of Wednesday, May 9, American Bullfrog#12-0733 was admitted to the Wildlife Center. The frog was found in Rockingham County, Virginia, with multiple lacerations on its back. One of the lacerations was severe enough to expose part of the bullfrog’s right lung and intestines. The severity of the frog’s injuries led Dr. Miranda to perform surgery on the frog that same evening.

Assisted by one of the Center’s diagnostic interns, Julia Jones, Dr. Miranda anesthetized the bullfrog by mixing together an isoflurane gel solution and applying it to the frog’s skin. Frogs, like all amphibians, have delicate skin that is gas- and water-permeable; this means that they can effectively “breathe” through their skin. This sensitivity also makes them extremely vulnerable to climate changes and pollutants. For this reason, frogs, like all amphibians, are experiencing population declines throughout Virginia and the rest of the United States.

Once the frog was unconscious, Dr. Miranda and Julia cleaned its extensive injuries and sutured the lacerations after returning the frog’s organs to its body cavity. Because American Bullfrog #12-0733’s injuries were consistent with a cat attack (and one of the smaller lacerations was clearly made by a claw), Dr. Miranda also prescribed it a month-long course of antibiotics. This is a longer course of medication than many of the Center’s mammalian cat victims receive because frogs are cold-blooded, which means their wounds generally take longer to heal.   

Although Dr. Miranda was very guarded in her initial prognosis of the frog’s future, she, like the rest of the Center’s hospital staff, was surprised by the bullfrog’s recovery. When the Center’s rehabilitation staff first observed the frog on Thursday, May 10, it was bright and visibly active. The frog has since earned a reputation for being quite “hoppy” and requires alert handling. At the moment it lives in a special enclosure in the Center’s “Reptile Room” and eats five crickets a day. Since it was admitted, the bullfrog has gained three grams (it now weighs 20 grams) and the Center’s veterinarians are now much more optimistic about its future.

To hear what this American Bullfrog sounds like — or other frogs and toads in your area — click here!

The Wildlife Center’s astute readers might have noticed that we originally identified this as a Green Frog; luckily, Kory Steele, one of our friends from the Virginia Herpetological Society ,quickly–and politely–corrected us. He also provided this easy-to-use guide on identifying the two species: http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/identification-keys/id-keys-frogs/Lithobates-Rana.html.

There’s no charge to bring an animal to the Wildlife Center for treatment and care.  We rely on the generosity of caring individuals.  Your donation will help support the Center’s life-saving work with about 2,500 wild animals in need. 

After many months of treatment and care, 20 of these Eastern Box Turtles are preparing for release!

Box turtles are some of the species admitted to the Wildlife Center that require the lengthiest treatment.  All of these turtles are patients from 2011 — their admission dates range from May to November.  Most came in with serious injuries and were unable to recover in time to return to their territories before winter. 

Instead, they spent the long, cold winter in the Wildlife Center’s reptile room — a  warm room specially set up to keep our reptile patients active and healing.  With the addition of 12 specialized reptile enclosures in 2011, the staff were able to closely monitor the proper temperature, lighting, and humidity that these sensitive patients need to thrive.

Now that the spring temperatures are really warming up, the staff are preparing all 20 turtles for release.  Because the Wildlife Center has limited outdoor turtle pens [the final place to house the ready-for-release turtles] the rehabilitation staff are preparing six turtles for release at a time.  After several days of daytime acclimation in rubber tubs, the turtles are moved into the outdoor turtle pens for their final two weeks before release.  This allows them to not only get used to the fluctuations in the outdoor temperatures, but also enables them to walk around and exercise in a larger space.

The first group of box turtles includes:

#11-0758:  This turtle was admitted on May 16 from Nelson County after it was hit by a car.  The turtle sustained multiple shell fractures, as well as a fractured pelvis.  Days in treatment: 366+

#11-1301:    Found on the road in Albemarle County on June 13, this turtle was admitted with shell fractures and injuries to both of its front legs.  Days in treatment:  338+

#11-1766:    This female turtle was admitted with shell fractures, punctures, and abrasions after she was rescued from a dog attack in Page County on June 21.  Days in treatment:  330+

#11-1928:    Admitted from Culpeper after it was hit by a car on August 7, this turtle sustained multiple shell fractures to both its plastron [lower shell] and carapace [upper shell].   Days in treatment:  283+

#11-2078:    Admitted on August 21 from Augusta County after it was hit by a car, this turtle sustained head trauma as well as several shell wounds.  Days in treatment:  269+

#11-2269:    Found injured in Rockbridge County on August 31.  Days in treatment:  259+

Each of these turtles will be returned to the area where they were rescued  – since box turtles have very small home ranges, it is vital to keep them in their territories.

Other soon-to-be released Eastern Box Turtles:

#11-1952:  Augusta County    
#11-2025:  Shenandoah County  
#11-2301: Albemarle County 
#11-2308: Charlottesville  
#11-2314: Fluvanna County
#11-2399: Louisa County
#11-2443: Bath County 
#11-2449: Augusta County 
#11-2523: Greene County 
#11-2529: Culpeper County 
#11-2542: Culpeper County
#11-2549: Charlottesville 
#11-2565: Fluvanna County
#11-2588: Campbell County

Your donation will help support the Center’s work with patients like these turtles … and with 2,500 other wild animals in need.

The staff narrowed down the 83 suggestions to a list of the “Top 16” names – and the Peregrine’s Caring for Critters adopters took it from there.  With their help, the list was narrowed to the top five names.  The Wildlife Center is now looking for your vote to determine what this falcon should be named!

Peregrine Falcon #10-0070 — likely a male, due to its size — was found injured in Chesapeake, Virginia in February 2010.  Wildlife Center veterinarians diagnosed fractures of the falcon’s major and minor metacarpals in the right wing – essentially, the equivalent of the “hand” bones in humans.  Due to the severity of the injury, the falcon is unable to fly well enough to be released.  Over the past eight months, the Center’s veterinary and outreach teams have been evaluating the bird for its suitability as an education ambassador – a bird that would accompany Center staff on trips to schools, county fairs, and other public events – and they have determined that this peregrine should become one of the Center’s environmental ambassadors.

The five finalists:

Chayton:  This name was suggested by Shyasia in Mrs. Preston’s 4th grade class at Camp Allen Elementary School in Norfolk, VA.  Mrs. Preston writes, “We researched Native American names and found the Sioux word for ‘falcon’ which is CHAYTON.” 

Chess:  Chamanthi in Mrs. Kroeber’s 4th grade class at Three Chopt Elementary School in Richmond, VA suggested this name “because the falcon was found at Chesapeake.”

Hunter: This name was suggested by Nicole in Mrs. Harris’s 6th grade class at Copeland Middle School in Rockaway, NJ.  Nicole says, “We heard a story from Mrs. Harris about some birdwatchers that went to the Meadowlands (in NJ) to see how many different species of birds they could find.  They saw several hundred birds.  Suddenly they ALL flew away because a Peregrine Falcon showed up.  I thought Hunter would be a good name because of that story.” 

Jameston:  Mr. Holmgren’s 10-12th grade-level special education class at Rinmangymnasiet Eskilstuna Kommun in Eskilstuna, Sweden came up with this name.  Mr. Holmgren writes,  “This is a special education class. I told them about the name-contest.  We had a brief discussion about what kind of names could be appropriate. Then the students dug into [the] geography, politics and history of the region – and into the peregrine itself, of course.  This [name] is a spin-off on Jamestown.” 

Max:  Two students suggested this name – one student in Mrs. Peck’s 2nd grade class at Cunningham Elementary School in Palmyra, VA recommended it,  as did Fletcher, in Mrs.  Oertel’s 3rd grade class at Cale Elementary School in Charlottesville, VA.   Fletcher says, “I would name the Peregrine Falcon Max.  I believe the name Max is a good name because it means greatest.  The falcon is a great bird.  This injured Peregrine Falcon has survived a terrible injury.  He is still great even though he will no longer fly.  Naming him Max will tell everyone that he is great no matter what.” 

Chayton, Chess, Hunter, Jameston, or Max?  Help us decide by voting here.  The polls will be open until 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2012.

Thanks for your help!

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Northumberland County, Virginia

CIRCUMSTANCE OF ADMISSION:   Found unable to fly

ADMISSION DATE:  May 10, 2012

PROGNOSIS:  Fair

On the morning of Thursday, May 10, fledgling Bald Eagle #12-0739 was admitted to the Wildlife Center.  It was found down on the ground on May 9 in Northumberland County, Virginia and picked up by a familiar face — Officer Keeve, the same animal control officer who rescued NX in December 2011!  The young eagle was bright and alert, and while performing the initial examination, Dr. Miranda Sadar determined that it was also thin and slightly dehydrated. Dr. Miranda injected the bird with subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids and Vitamin B.

The Center’s diagnostic team also performed an emergency biochemistry panel and discovered that the eagle was slightly anemic; Dr. Miranda thinks is a likely result of the bird being thin. Additional blood work will be analyzed on Friday, May 10. The eaglet was also tested for lead with a 0.067 ppm result, which is considered “subclinical” since the eaglet is not showing signs of lead poisoning. The fledgling eaglet is also quite large—3.77 kg—leading Dr. Miranda to suspect that it hatched very early this year.

The eaglet will remain in the hospital under observation the next few days but the members of the Center’s staff hope that this bird will soon be able to join Bald Eagle #12-0529 in the “raptor tower” in the Center’s new, large eagle pen. There it will be able to observe wild adult Bald Eagles as it continues to grow.

May 14 update

Bald Eaglet #12-0739 was bright and alert over the weekend; the rehab staff report that the eaglet is also eating well.  The staff plan on moving the young eagle to the “raptor tower” portion of A3 today, so that the eaglet may move around more and have a roommate – Bald Eagle #12-0529.

Additional perches will be added to the main room of the raptor tower [pictured below] to see if the eaglets begin branching and exploring.  That will help the staff best determine when it may be time to open the sliding doors into the main portion of A3.

Raptor Tower room [not seen on Critter Cam]:

May 22 update

Bald Eagle #12-0739 and roommate #12-0529 have been doing well over the past week — both birds are eating well and have been exploring the raptor tower area.  There has been a lot of flapping and exercising going on in the tower — both eaglets have been spotted hopping and flapping from perches to nest.

At 5:15 p.m. on May 22, Kjellstrom & Lee construction supervisor Aric stopped by just to make some final adjustments to the folding raptor tower doors — so that the Wildlife Center staff could open the “balcony” for the eaglets.  The rehabilitation staff will place astroturf on the balcony railing on May 23, to make sure the perches are appropriate for the eagles’ feet; the bare wooden perch will be suitable for one night.

Both eaglets will receive bi-weekly foot and feather checks; the staff will also weigh them on those dates.  The next foot and feather check for #12-0739 will be on May 28.

Your donation will help support the Center’s work with patients like this young Bald Eaglet  … and with 2,500 other wild animals in need.

LOCATION OF RESCUE: Surry County, VA

CIRCUMSTANCE OF ADMISSION: Undetermined

ADMISSION DATE: May 10, 2012

PROGNOSIS: Guarded

On May 9, a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist rescued this non-banded juvenile Bald Eagle at the Hog Island Wildlife Management Area in Surry County, Virginia. At present, few details are available about the circumstances of its rescue. It was admitted to the Wildlife Center on the afternoon of May 10, 2012.

Upon examination, the eagle presented as thin but not emaciated. Though it was standing on admission, when vets caught it up for a physical exam, the eagle was observed lying down in its cage and hanging its head. Though these symptoms can sometimes indicate lead poisoning, lead levels in patient #12-0744’s blood were less than 0.033ppm — lower than the Center’s lead analyzer can read.

At first, Dr. Miranda Sadar thought she felt an abnormality in the eagle’s right shoulder, but an initial look at radiographsdid not reveal any defects. The eagle is currently being treated like an emaciated bird, though it is possible that it is suffering from some kind of infection. Additional bloodwork will be taken on May 11; in the meantime, the eagle will be tube fed and gradually moved to whole food.

This eagle is currently being housed in the Center’s holding area.

May 14 update

The vet staff continue to tube-feed Bald Eagle #12-0744; they report that the bird is fairly bright and alert and has been perching in its large airline crate.  The additional blood work that was performed on May 12 indicated a possible infection, though Dr. Adam noted that the changes seen could also be a result of the bird’s thin, malnourished condition. 

Tube-feeding will continue over the next couple of days and follow-up blood work will be performed on May 19.  If all is well, the bird should be able to move outside at that point.  Another set of radiographs will be taken on May 24.

At the Wildlife Center, we treat to release.  Your donation will help support the Center’s life-saving work with this young Bald Eagle … and with 2,500 wild animals in need. 

After lunch and tours of the facility, a group of 40 people gathered in the new eagle flight pen — designated as A3 — for a few remarks from Wildlife Center President Ed Clark and Secretary Domenech.   The group was then invited outside for a special ribbon-cutting by Secretary Domenech and DGIF Director Duncan. 

After the ribbon was officially cut, rehabilitator Suzy Doell carried Chesapeake Bald Eaglet #12-0529 to the “raptor tower” portion of A3 — a room specially designed for young raptors.  Dr. Miranda Sadar caught up NX and moved her to the main flight area of A3.

Video clips of the Flight Pen Dedication

Program:

Opening remarks by Ed Clark:

Official ribbon-cutting ceremony:

Suzy moves Chesapeake Eaglet to “Raptor Tower”:

Secretary Domenech, Dr. Miranda and NX, and Ed Clark:

Dr. Miranda and NX:

NX:

Chesapeake Bald Eaglet in its new nest: