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.

A New Home for Edie

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].

Kettler

[Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus] Kettler came to the Wildlife Center as a nestling in August 1988 after falling from her nest in Salem, Virginia and suffering a broken right wing. She was found at the base of her nest tree and taken to Salem Animal Control, which transferred her to the Wildlife Center for treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries, she never regained full use of her right wing and was left unable to fly. Kettler may have been pushed out of the nest by a larger sibling (violent sibling rivalry is common among birds).

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

Scarlette

[Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis] Scarlette came to the Wildlife Center in June 1989 when she was still a fledgling. Her nesting tree was accidentally cut down during the expansion of a major Virginia amusement park. She suffered a broken right wing when the tree fell, and was found shortly afterward and transported to the Wildlife Center. She never regained the ability to fully extend her injured wing, which limits her ability to fly and leaves her unable to return to the wild.

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 Gustavo 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.

Misty

[Barred Owl - Strix varia] Misty was found in the courtyard of Regional Memorial Hospital in Hanover County in February 2009 and brought to the Wildlife Center.  Center veterinarians found damage to both of her eyes, meaning that Misty cannot be released back into the wild.  [photo courtesy of Michele Fowler].

July 2010 “photo shoot” with Misty

Buzz

[Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus] Buzz came to the Wildlife Center in April 1998 as an injured nestling. He was found at the base of a tree in Weyers Cave, Virginia, with a severely broken left wing which he suffered after his nest collapsed. His initial examination at the Wildlife Center revealed multiple fractures in this wing. Despite orthopedic surgery, his injury never healed properly and Buzz was left with very little flying ability. As a result, he would be unable to survive in the wild and therefore cannot be released.

Mama G’Ho

[Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus] Mama G’Ho came to the Wildlife Center from Henrico County, Virginia, in December 2001. She had sustained injuries to her feet and wings, likely  after she was struck by a vehicle. Despite rehabilitation, Mama G’Ho never regained her ability to fly silently, which is critical to the hunting success of owls in the wild. Because noisy flight would inhibit her ability to survive independently, she cannot be released back into the wild. Though she is unable to return to the wild herself, Mama G’Ho plays a very important role at the Wildlife Center as a surrogate mother for any young, orphaned Great Horned Owls that we admit. After their initial examination and treatment, young owlets are moved into Mama G’Ho’s enclosure, where she helps them hone their hunting abilities and develop natural owl behaviors. Our staff takes great care to keep Mama G’Ho from becoming comfortable around humans – by keeping her “wild,” we can ensure that the owlets she raises will survive, and thrive, on their own. During spring 2009, for example, Mama G’Ho is serving as a surrogate for four owlets — two are in her pen, and two more are housed in an adjoining pen, where they can see and hear her.

Alex

[Screech Owl - Megascops asio].  Alex was brought to The Wildlife Center in November 2007.  He 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 his 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.

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.

Ferdinand

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Ferdinand was brought to the Wildlife Center in September 2008. He was found as a young opossum on the side of a road near Blacksburg. He suffered several injuries, including a fracture in his right front leg. His rescuers cared for him for several weeks, and he ended up too tame to be released back to the wild.

Hillary

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Hillary was found in September 2009 in Alleghany County.  Her mom had been hit and killed by a car, although Hillary and two of her siblings survived.  When Hillary was admitted to the Wildlife Center, she and her brother and sister had alopecia — extreme hair loss.  Center veterinarians suspect that this condition was due to poor nutrition in captivity.  With a proper diet at the Wildlife Center, Hillary’s coat grew back in.  However, Hillary had grown used to being around people and may not be released back into the wild.

Lily

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Lily came to the Wildlife Center in August 2007. She was injured by a dog in Palmyra, Virginia when she was very young and her rescuers decided to care for her in their home instead of transferring her to a wildlife rehabilitation center. During her recovery, her rescuers became very attached to her and decided to keep Lily as a household pet. She quickly became habituated to humans, but after several months the family of her rescuers grew tired of her. At the suggestion of their neighbors, they brought Lily to the Wildlife Center with the hope that she could be released. However, Lily’s extended stay in captivity prevented her from acquiring numerous skills necessary for survival in the wild, such as foraging for food, finding shelter, and avoiding predators. Without such skills, Lily cannot return to the wild.

Peg

[Opossum - Didelphis virginiana] Peg was found in September 2009 in Alleghany County.  Her mom had been hit and killed by a car, although Peg and two of her siblings survived.  When Peg was admitted to the Wildlife Center, she and her brother and sister [Hillary, see above] had alopecia — extreme hair loss.  Center veterinarians suspect that this condition was due to poor nutrition in captivity.  With a proper diet at the Wildlife Center, Peg’s coat grew back in.  However, Peg had grown used to being around people.  In addition, she has suffered some injury to her eye.  Peg may not be released back into the wild.

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.

Spike

[Common Snapping Turtle - Chelydra serpentina] Spike came to the Wildlife Center in November 2007. He was taken from the wild as juvenile near Staunton, Virginia, and kept as a pet for two and a half years after his capture. While in captivity, Spike was kept in a cooler and fed improperly. His poor living conditions and inadequate diet left him with a calcium deficiency, resulting in weak bones and an improperly formed shell. After being taken from his captors, Spike was brought to the Wildlife Center where he began a corrective diet and rehabilitation. While his condition has greatly improved since he arrived at the Wildlife Center, Spike’s long period in captivity and ongoing medical issues leave him unable to return to the wild.

Cornelius

[Corn Snake - Elaphe guttata guttata] Cornelius was taken from the wild as a newly hatched snake in Charlotte County, Virginia. He was kept for more than a year before his captors grew bored with him and brought him to the Wildlife Center in June 1997. Because Cornelius spent the first year of his life – a critical developmental stage for many snakes – in captivity, he 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.

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

[Garter Snake - 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.

A six-month Caring for Critters sponsorship 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.