Winter Wildlife
One of the best ways to help wildlife is to support our Annual Appeal. We cannot rescue, rehabilitate and educate without your support. Many thanks for your dedicated support of our good work!
As we turn up the heat and enjoy the warmth of our cozy homes this winter, our local wildlife species are already prepared for the season with special adaptations!
Birds have several winter adaptations including:
-insulating feathers to trap warm air close to the body
-scaly legs to minimize heat loss
-fat reserves to get them through times when food is scarce
Eastern Screech Owls, as pictured above, also have feathers on their feet & toes to provide extra warmth!
Even with all these adaptations, winters can be tough on birds & other wildlife.
You can help by:
-providing a fresh water source
-responsibly feeding from bird feeders (disinfecting weekly)
-providing habitat in the form of brush piles and bushes
Your old Christmas tree, placed in the backyard, can provide a great shelter for small animals!
Animal Ambassadors
Trixie Turns 25!
Trixie is one of our four Eastern Box Turtle Ambassadors. Next year we will celebrate Trixie’s 25th birthday!
Trixie was found as a hatchling in 2000 and was illegally kept as a pet for five years. During this time, Trixie was not fed a proper diet or provided with adequate housing and access to the outdoors. Trixie developed a severe case of Metabolic Bone Disease. Nutritional deficiencies caused his shell to become very soft and collapse.
We provided Trixie with appropriate treatment which included a nutritious diet, spacious housing, and access to both real sunlight and artificial UV lighting indoors. With quality care, Trixie’s condition slowly improved.
While he is now a very strong and healthy turtle, Trixie can never be released back to the wild. He is unable to pull his head & limbs into his deformed shell and therefore cannot protect himself from predators.
For the past 20 years, Trixie has been a wonderful ambassador for his species. He helps us teach the public never to take wild animals as pets.
Patient Spotlight
Cottontail Rabbit Rescued
Eastern Cottontails are the only species of native wild rabbit in Eastern North America. They have brown bodies and white cotton-like tails. This patient came to our Wildlife Hospital after it was attacked by another animal. The rabbit received medication, wound care, and plenty of time to recover in the safety of one of our pre-release outdoor enclosures. She made a full recovery and was eventually released back to the wild!
