Edie

[American Kestrel - Falco sparverius] Edie came to the Wildlife Center in May 2005. She was found as an orphan in Roanoke, Virginia after her nest tree was damaged in a storm. She was kept by her rescuers for several days before being taken to a local wildlife rehabilitator. After several weeks of observation at the Wildlife Center, our veterinary staff determined that she was imprinted on humans. Young birds visually imprint on their caregiver and thereafter identify with that species for life; Edie was with her rescuers during this critical imprinting stage of her life. Due to the behavioral changes brought on by her imprinting, Edie cannot be released back into the wild.

Papa Kestrel

[American Kestrel - Falco sparverius] Papa Kestrel was found on the side of the road in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Center veterinarians determined that the kestrel had head trauma and injuries to both eyes – injuries that make him non-releasable.  Rather than adding the kestrel into the “traveling troupe” of wildlife ambassadors, the Center staff decided that the kestrel may be a good surrogate parent – a role model for young kestrels.  Our staff takes great care to keep Papa Kestrel from becoming comfortable around humans – by keeping him “wild,” we can ensure that the kestrels he raises will survive, and thrive, on their own.

Buddy

[Bald Eagle -- Haliaeetus leucocephalus].  This eagle hatched on April 27, 2008 at a nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.  Thousands of individuals around the world followed his life through “EagleCam” — a web-based camera — and soon noticed a lump developing on the side of the bird’s beak.  In May 2008, the eagle was taken from his nest and admitted as a patient at the Wildlife Center.  Lab tests revealed that the lesion on his beak was Avian Pox.  Despite an all-out effort by Center veterinarians, the pox lesion caused a permanent misalignment in the bird’s beak, which will need to be trimmed periodically for the rest of the eagle’s life.  In August 2009, the Norfolk Bald Eagle was declared non-releasable; in April 2010 he was officially named “Buddy”.  Buddy is being trained for his new “career” as a Wildlife Center education animal and wildlife ambassador.  Additional information about Buddy. [photo courtesy of James Deal].

Grayson

[Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus] Grayson was found as a young bird in June of 2010 in Grayson County, Virginia.  He had fallen out of the nest and suffereda fractured right humerus, as well as injury to his patagium – the skin covering the leading edge of the wing.  Grayson was initially taken to a local permitted wildlife rehabilitator, who stabilized the injury and then brought him to the Wildlife Center.  WCV veterinarians sutured the hole in the patagium and bandaged the wing; however, the fracture did not heal completely straight, and scarring on the patagium left Grayson unable to fully extend his wing.

Junior

[Golden Eagle - Aguila chrysaetos] Junior was illegally taken from his nest in 1984 at an early age. At about age six months, he escaped his captors [or was released] and was found walking down a road in Merced, California, wearing jesses. His feathers were broken and shredded, suggesting that he had been kept in a wire cage. His feather condition left him unable to fly, and he was admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for treatment, where it was determined that Junior had become imprinted on humans during his time in captivity. Junior came to the Wildlife Center in March 1985. Though his ability to fly has been restored, his imprinted status precludes his release into the wild.

Video of Junior on a swinging perch

Ruby

[Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis] Ruby was hit by a car in Dayton, Virginia in February 2010.  When the she arrived at the Center, the veterinary team found a fracture in her left wing as well as severe trauma to her right eye.  After weeks of cage rest and bandaging, her wing healed – but her right eye had to be surgically removed.  Unfortunately, with limited vision, Ruby cannot see well enough to be released back into the wild.  

In January 2011, the Wildlife Center asked for the help of elementary school children in suggesting names for this hawk.  More than 170 names were submitted.  The “final five” were put to an online public vote.  The winning name was Ruby.  

That name was suggested by Ms. Phelps’ first-grade class at South River Elementary in Grottoes.  In submitting the nomination, Ms. Phelps wrote, “We are currently studying Ruby Bridges.  The kids thought since Ruby was a brave girl who fought to have a better life and since rubies are red, this would be a good name for a female red-tailed-hawk who also fought for her life.”

As a six-year old girl, Ruby Bridges integrated an all-white elementary school in New Orleans.  Her experience inspired the iconic painting by Norman Rockwell, The Problem We All Live With. 

Peregrine Falcon #10-0070

This Peregrine Falcon was found injured on the ground with wounds to its right wing.  Wildlife Center veterinarian diagnosed fractures of the major and minor metacarpals – 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.  At this point, Peregrine Falcon #10-0070 is being evaluated as a possible addition to the Center’s corps of education animals.  Center veterinarians  want to ensure that the peregrine remains in good health this winter.

Gustavo

[Barred Owl - Strix varia] Gustavo came to the Wildlife Center in April 1994 as a very young owlet. Shortly after his birth, he was found alone and on the ground near Mechanicsville, Virginia, presumably after falling from his nest tree. His rescuers brought him to their home, intending to keep the young owl as a pet; like many people, they were unaware that it is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity. After several weeks, Gustavo was discovered by neighbors and removed from the household by the local police, who arranged for his transport to the Wildlife Center. Our veterinary staff determined that the constant attention Gus had received from his initial rescuers had left him imprinted on humans. Caretakers must go to great lengths to avoid imprinting young birds, and Gustavo’s initial rescuers were unaware of this fact. His imprinted status leaves him unsuitable for release back into the wild.

Papa G’Ho

[Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus] Papa G’Ho came to the Wildlife Center from Henrico County, Virginia, in December 2001.  He had sustained injuries to his feet and wings, likely  after he was struck by a vehicle. Despite rehabilitation, Papa G’Ho never regained his ability to fly silently, which is critical to the hunting success of owls in the wild. Because noisy flight would inhibit his ability to survive independently, he cannot be released back into the wild. Though he is unable to return to the wild himself, Papa G’Ho plays a very important role at the Wildlife Center as a surrogate parent for any young, orphaned Great Horned Owls that we admit. After their initial examination and treatment, young owlets are moved into Papa G’Ho’s enclosure, where he helps them hone their hunting abilities and develop natural owl behaviors. Our staff takes great care to keep Papa G’Ho from becoming comfortable around humans – by keeping him “wild,” we can ensure that the owlets he raises will survive, and thrive, on their own.

Quinn

[Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus] Quinn came to the Center in May 2008 from the Roanoke area.  He was found stuck in a fence and was admitted with injuries to both wings and his right eye.  Center veterinarians determined that his eye would need to be removed, and Quinn’s flight feathers never grew in properly.   

Alex

[Screech Owl - Megascops asio].  Alex was brought to The Wildlife Center in November 2007.  She had been found by a road in Wythe County.  Alex had a left wing fracture and damage to both eyes.  While the wing fracture healed, Alex cannot be released back to the wild because of her limited vision.

Pignoli

[Screech Owl - Megascops asio] Pignoli came to the Wildlife Center in October 2003. He was found lying unconscious beside a railroad track in Charlottesville, Virginia. After his rescuers brought Pignoli to the Wildlife Center, our veterinary staff found evidence of severe head trauma, suggesting that Pignoli may have been struck by a train. He had suffered damage to both eyes, leaving his sight significantly reduced. Our veterinarians determined that Pignoli’s right eye required surgical removal, and after the damage to his left eye failed to heal, we concluded that Pignoli would not be able to return to the wild.

Buttercup

[Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus] Buttercup was hatched in captivity in 2004.  Her parents would not care for her, so she was transferred to a permitted rehabilitator. Unfortunately, while she was under the rehabilitator’s care, Buttercup became imprinted on humans.  Birds do not automatically know what they are when they’re born — they visually imprint on their caregivers and identify with that species for life.  Buttercup no longer fears people and therefore cannot be released into the wild.  Prior to her arrival at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Buttercup was an educational animal at another facility in Virginia.  She came to the Wildlife Center in September 2011.

Jaz

[American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos] Jaz was hatched in the wild in Warren County, Virginia in May 1992. She was found as a pre-fledging, alone under a tree and apparently abandoned by her parents. Her rescuers transported her to the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center [CRC] in Front Royal, VA. While the CRC works to breed rare and endangered animals, some common “surrogate species” with behavioral and physiological characteristics similar to their endangered relatives are housed there. During most of her time at the CRC, Jaz was paired with a male crow. In fall 2007, the CRC determined that Jaz’s enclosure would need to be torn down to make room for new caging, and Jaz was relocated to the Wildlife Center.

Bert

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Bert, with his brother Ernie, was found in August 2011 after his mother was hit and killed by a car. Bert spent a month in captivity before he was brought to the Wildlife Center. By the time he arrived in September of 2011, he was far too tame to be released. He is now one of the Center’s wildlife ambassadors and assists the outreach department as they present educational programs.

Ernie

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Ernie was rescued with his brother Bert in August 2011 after their mother was killed by a car. Ernie was raised in captivity for a month by his rescuer, who was not a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, and when he was finally brought to the Wildlife Center in September, he was too friendly to be released. Now an animal ambassador, Ernie can be found helping the Center’s outreach coordinators with their educational programs.

Percy

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Percy was found in the summer of 2010 after her mother was hit and killed by a car.  Her well-intentioned rescuer raised Percy and kept her for nearly a year before turning her over to a permitted rehabilitator.  Percy is too friendly to be released back to the wild.

Thelma

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Thelma was found in the summer of 2011 after her mother was hit and killed by a car.  The well-intentioned rescuer picked up Thelma and raised her for several months before Thelma came to the Wildlife Center.  At that point, the opossum was entirely too friendly for release – Thelma had become too used to being around people in her time with the rescuer.
 

Cleo

[California King Snake - Lampropeltis getulus californiae] Cleo is a female California Kingsnake that was brought to the Wildlife Center in July 2000. She is a captive-bred snake that had been a classroom pet in Staunton, Virginia. When the teacher switched subjects, Cleo was no longer able to stay at the school and was transferred to the Wildlife Center.

Cornelius

[Corn Snake - Elaphe guttata guttata] Cornelius was taken from the wild as a newly hatched snake in Charlotte County, Virginia.  She was kept for more than a year before her captors grew bored with her and brought her to the Wildlife Center in June 1997. Because Cornelius spent the first year of her life – a critical developmental stage for many snakes – in captivity, she lacks numerous skills that are essential to survival in the wild. Without these skills, Cornelius would not survive independently and will never be able to return to the wild.

Malcolm

[Corn Snake - Elaphe guttata guttata] Malcolm came to the Center in February 2010 as an unwanted pet and was most likely hatched in captivity.  Malcolm’s life-experience as a pet means that he likely lacks the ability to survive in the wild, find his own food, and locate shelter.  As a result, Malcolm has landed a permanent home at the Wildlife Center.  

Wilson

[Eastern Box Turtle -- Terrapene carolina] Wilson was found at Maymont Park in Richmond in October 2009.  He was likely an unwanted or escaped pet.  When he was found, his entire upper shell had been painted purple.  Center veterinary staff painstakingly removed this paint.  However, because Wilson had been kidnapped from an unknown location and had lived for some time as a pet, he cannot be returned to the wild.   

Severus

[Eastern Ratsnake - Pantherophis alleghaniensis] Severus was brought to the Wildlife Center in December 2007. He was originally captured in 2004 in the basement of a home, and subsequently passed between several different owners over a period of two and a half years. He was eventually confiscated by the police in Staunton, Virginia and brought to the Wildlife Center. When Severus first arrived at the Wildlife Center he was malnourished and very aggressive, both likely products of his poor living conditions in captivity. Our staff began a rehabilitation regimen to nurse him back to health, but because he had been kept in captivity for such a long time, Severus cannot be released. He is now a healthy and permanent member of the Wildlife Center’s education team.

Squirt

[Eastern Gartersnake - Thamnophis sirtalis] Squirt was brought to the Wildlife Center as a very young snake in September 2007. He had been attacked by a dog in Ruckersville, Virginia and had sustained numerous wounds along his tail. After being transported to the Wildlife Center by his rescuers, Squirt underwent surgery to repair the damage done in the attack. While several of his wounds were treatable, he had also suffered permanent internal injuries. These injuries leave Squirt unable to return to the wild.

Emma

[Russian Tortoise - Testudo horsfieldii] Emma came to the Wildlife Center in October 2000. She was found wandering the grounds of the University of Virginia, far from her native desert territory. Most likely an escaped or abandoned pet, Emma could not survive on her own in this climate. Emma now lives at the Wildlife Center and teaches children the importance of leaving native animals in their natural environment.

OR  … Sponsor a Special Animal in Need

Also available for sponsorship are special animals in need – patients likely to require extended care.  If you sponsor a “Special Animal in Need”, we’ll select one of our patients that we expect will need extended care at the Center.  You [or your gift recipeint] will receive components of a regular Caring for Critters sponsorship package … plus updates on your patient’s status.  Adopt a “special animal in need” for $25.

A six-month Caring for Critters sponsorship for an educational ambassador is $25. A full-year sponsorship is $50.

A Caring for Critters sponsorship is available via Paypal.  Please use the “Special Instructions” field on the final screen to let us know the animals you’ll be sponsoring.

Or contact the Center at 540.942.9453 or email us at wildlife@wildlifecenter.org.

Donor Privacy Policy The Wildlife Center of Virginia never sells, rents, trades, or otherwise shares our supporters’ names, mailing addresses, email addresses, or other personal information with any other organization. The Wildlife Center never sends out mailings on behalf of other organizations.