One patient that sticks out in my mind of all patients admitted so far this year is Snapping Turtle #20-1715. Any aquatic turtle we house at the Center can be a bit of a challenge, simply for the set-up they require and the space it takes to house them.
Back in February, I never would’ve thought that this is the way our new project would go, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This EASO (Eastern Screech-Owl) did great the entire time! Pulse? Check. Pressures? Check. Breathing throughout surgery? Check. Breathing throughout final radiographs? Check again.
While many unexpected events happened this year, there are plenty of great memories that I can look back on. One memory that stands out most to me is my first intake of a female Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.
In a year that turned routine upside down, there was one place I could count on seeing a smile, hearing encouraging words, and walk away with my heart (and car) full!
This will help our Center illustrate the danger that lead toxicity poses to raptors; if even just one person that hears what happened makes the change to prevent lead from getting into the environment, then it might even save another eagle’s life.
Reflecting on 2020, it’s kind of hard to imagine a time that was pre-COVID, before all the madness that consumes our everyday lives now, but my favorite memory from 2020 was actually from very early on this year, back in March when several WCV staff members attended the annual NWRA symposium.
This was my first experience with such intense bear cub feedings … and it was worth every moment.
Over the last 11 weeks, I have had the opportunity to complete a rehabilitation externship at the Wildlife Center of Virginia and it has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. While the first two weeks were a bit of a transitional period for me, I quickly realized just how amazing this experience was going to be.
It is Saturday, September 12th, 2020, shortly after 1:00 pm. A thick fog blankets Rockfish Gap as my 2009 Hyundai Sonata makes it way eastward toward my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. There is a Broad-Winged Hawk sitting in the back seat. This is distinctly not where I am supposed to be.
See who is currently featured on the Center's Critter Cams!