Orphaned House Finches in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | These baby finches hatched in a nest in a hanging plant that blew down in a recent storm. Unfortunately, the nest shattered, and the hook that had held the plant fell down too. These birds' rescuers placed them in a fake nest in a nearby plant, but the parent birds kept going back to where the fallen plant had hung, and they didn't find the new nest with their babies. As the sun went down, the people knew these baby birds needed help. They will grow up in care at WildCare until they are old enough to be released!
Fawn Reunited with Her Mother WildCare 2023-07-28 | This fawn was found sitting under some people's car! Assuming her to be orphaned, based on her odd location, they picked her up and brought her to WildCare. Our Veterinarian checked the young deer and found her to be well fed and bright-eyed, meaning she had actually been inadvertently "kidnapped!" She needed to go back to her mother!In this video you can see our team member trying to get the fawn to go to the mother deer, but the fawn seems uncertain about leaving the safety of the large mammal closer to her (the human!) Finally, she sees her mother, and makes her way down the hill. Mother and fawn have been sighted together several times by the homeowners. A happy ending!
Orphaned Great Horned Owlet Is Tested for HPAI WildCare 2023-07-28 | This baby Great Horned Owl was admitted to WildCare after his nest tree fell down in a storm. Owls are susceptible to the avian influenza virus, so our team needed to test this young owl for exposure to the virus. Fortunately his test was negative, so he has gone into foster care with a nonreleaseable Great Horned Owl at one of our sister wildlife care centers. He will grow up with his foster parent, and we will release him once he's old enough to return to the wild.
Baby Great Horned Owl Being Fed at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | The tree this baby Great Horned Owl's nest was in blew over in one of the "atmospheric river" storms that have rumbled through Northern California in the past weeks. With the tree destroyed, there was no opportunity to reunite this owlet with his owl parents, so rescuers brought him to WildCare's Wildlife Hospital.It is very important that the little owl not imprint on his human caregivers, so our staff member wears a camouflaging ghillie suit to feed him, and she placed a taxidermy Great Horned Owl within the owlet's field of vision.If we can't find another nest of similarly-aged Great Horned Owls in which to place this baby (wild adoption often succeeds!), this baby will stay in care with owl experts until he's old enough to be released back to the wild.
Orphaned Baby Brush Rabbit at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This tiny baby Brush Rabbit was rescued after she was caught by a cat. She was dehydrated and chilled on intake, and she had a few small wounds from the cat's claws. Our team warmed the tiny rabbit, put her on a course of antibiotics, and offered her a special milk formula for baby rabbits. She's thriving in care and will be released back to the wild once she's old enough!
First Baby Squirrels of 2023 at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | When the first baby squirrels arrive at WildCare's Wildlife Hospital in mid-February, we know it's going to be a busy Baby Season.Usually we admit our first tiny, pink baby squirrels in March, followed a few weeks later by baby animals of dozens of different species. Admitting this group of five 2-week old squirrels means that squirrels in the Bay Area gave birth at the beginning of February, which feels very early.These healthy, plump babies were the victims of a tree-trimming accident. The arborist felt terrible that he had inadvertently cut down the tree holding this squirrel family's nest, or drey, and he did a good job keeping the little squirrels warm until he could get them to WildCare.
Orphaned Baby Crow in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This fledgling crow was sitting on the front step of a Novato home for multiple hours. The homeowners saw him, but they also saw and heard other crows flying and calling overhead, so they assumed this youngster was being cared for. After several hours, however, when the crow hadn't moved, they recognized that something was wrong. They called Marin Humane to bring the bird to WildCare. On intake he was very dehydrated, and he had some bruising on his abdomen. He will grow up in care with other orphaned crows at WildCare, and we'll release him back to the wild once he's old enough.
Owlets in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | These three owlets all fell from their nests in the last few days. In this video, WildCare's Director of Animal Care is catching them to bring them into the Wildlife Hospital to be checked and weighed. Assuming they are healthy, we will attempt to reunite them with their owl parents tonight.
Northern Spotted Owlet in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This baby Northern Spotted Owl fell from his nest. When he arrived at WildCare, our team took x-rays and did blood work to make sure he hadn't injured himself in his fall. He hadn't, so our Medical Staff activated our Raptor Reunite Team to return this fluffy baby to his parents' care.
Great Horned Owlet in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This Great Horned Owlet fell from his nest, but he fortunately didn't injure himself in his fall. In this video, WildCare's Medical Staff feeds the owlet to make sure he has plenty of calories on board in preparation for a reunite attempt that evening. The reunite succeeded! Spotters have reported that the parent owls are feeding this baby!
Baby Western Gull Recovering at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This baby gull fell from his rocky nest and landed in a thorn bush! Fortunately, he was rescued and brought to WildCare. He was dehydrated on intake, and he had a wound that required surgical suturing on his leg. He is recovering well and should be released back to his island home as soon as he's old enough!
Baby Hummingbirds in Care at WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | Two of these young hummingbirds are siblings, Allen's Hummingbirds found in the city of San Francisco. They and their nest were found on the ground. The third baby is an Anna's Hummingbird who also fell from the nest. She was found on a tennis court, too young to fly. These three similarly-aged baby hummingbirds will grow up in care, receiving (every 20 minutes!) the nutritious and highly-specialized formula we make for our baby hummingbirds. They will learn to fly in our Hummingbird Expert's special enclosures, and be released back to the wild as soon as they are old enough.
Hatchling Western Grebes Admitted to WildCare WildCare 2023-07-28 | This pair of hatchling Western Grebes was discovered alone in a Bay Area reservoir by a local boater who scooped them both up and kept them safely in a bucket while he paddled back to shore, packed up, and drove them to WildCare. Our Med Team provided a basic intake exam and made sure they were stable before contacting the waterbird specialists at International Bird Rescue (IBR) in Fairfield for advice on what kind of specialized care they would need next. These fuzzy babies will grow up in care until they are old enough to be released back to the wild.
Compost Raccoon Gets a Warm Bath at WildCare WildCare 2023-01-26 | This young raccoon probably smelled something tasty in the bottom of a compost bin, but it must have been a shock when she tumbled to the bottom of the plastic bin and then couldn't get back out! The homeowners found her, wet, cold and shivering, when they went out to drop something into the compost bin. They immediately called WildCare's Hotline at 415-456-7283, and we helped connect them with the Marin Humane officer on duty. The young raccoon was clearly chilled and filthy, and she needed care! Upon admission to the Wildlife Hospital, our team determined the little raccoon to be very smelly, and slightly hypothermic, but otherwise uninjured. We sedated her (the sedation causes all of the muscles to relax, even that of the tongue, which protrudes from the mouth in sedated animals), gave her a hot bath and dried her under a warm blow-dryer. Once she was clean and dry, we gave her a good meal, and left her to rest overnight. The next day, she had recovered beautifully! We released her back back to her home territory that evening to catch up with her mother and siblings on their nightly rounds. Hopefully she'll now recognize the risks of compost bins!
Raccoon Caught in Compost Bin Recovers at WildCare WildCare 2023-01-26 | This young raccoon probably smelled something tasty in the bottom of a compost bin, but it must have been a shock when she tumbled to the bottom of the plastic bin and then couldn't get back out! The homeowners found her, wet, cold and shivering, when they went out to drop something into the compost bin. They immediately called WildCare's Hotline at 415-456-7283, and we helped connect them with the Marin Humane officer on duty. The young raccoon was clearly chilled and filthy, and she needed care! Upon admission to the Wildlife Hospital, our team determined the little raccoon to be very smelly, and slightly hypothermic, but otherwise uninjured. We sedated her (the sedation causes all of the muscles to relax, even that of the tongue, which protrudes from the mouth in sedated animals), gave her a hot bath and dried her under a warm blow-dryer. Once she was clean and dry, we gave her a good meal, and left her to rest overnight. The next day, she had recovered beautifully! We released her back back to her home territory that evening to catch up with her mother and siblings on their nightly rounds. Hopefully she'll now recognize the risks of compost bins!
Flooded-Out Pocket Gopher Recovers at WildCare WildCare 2023-01-26 | This gopher patient, like the three others we've admitted into care this week, was found on a sidewalk, soaking wet and hypothermic. He likely got washed out of his burrow due to the relentless "atmospheric rivers" currently pounding the San Francisco Bay Area. Our team warmed him up, and then gave him fluids to help him recover. This patient is eating well and should make a full recovery. We'll release him back to his home territory if we ever get a break in the rain!
Cedar Waxwing Recovers at WildCare WildCare 2023-01-26 | This Cedar Waxwing was brought to WildCare after being found on the ground, with a drooping wing. An exam and x-rays did not reveal any injury, but the bird had labored breathing and tired easily. Our Medical Staff's assumption is that he flew into a window. He will remain in care until he has made a full recovery, and then we will release him to be with other Cedar Waxwings. In this video you can see the bird enjoying the fresh pyracantha berries provided for him!
Soaking Wet Northern Spotted Owl Being Admitted to WildCare WildCare 2023-01-26 | The rescuers of this Northern Spotted Owl saw him at 11am in the morning, sitting on a dead rat he had apparently caught. Several hours of pounding rain later, and they saw the sodden owl still in the same position on the ground. His rescuers brought him to WildCare.Unfortunately, due to concerns about the contagiousness of avian influenza (HPAI) between bird patients, intakes like this one have to happen in our outdoor quarantine area... which leaks like a sieve! This video shows WildCare's Medical Team doing the initial examination of the owl. Although he is dangerously emaciated, he does not show any signs or symptoms of avian influenza, so the next step was to bring him into the Wildlife Hospital and warm him up. This owl's prognosis is very guarded - he's incredibly thin and hypothermic - but our team will do everything possible to give him a second chance!
Glue Trap Titmouse Release WildCare 2022-11-29 | This Oak Titmouse is one of two titmice that were found stuck to a glue trap. Glue traps are horrible and should NEVER be used, under any circumstances! Not only do they capture and kill nontarget animals like these little songbirds, the traps also inflict immense suffering, and a horrible, slow, lingering death on the intended victims (rodents) and nontarget animals alike. This little songbird fortunately made a full recovery after less than two weeks in WildCare's Wildlife Hospital. Watch him fly free in his home territory in this video!
5 Reasons to Give - Live Well with Wildlife with Marshall the White Pelican and Alison Hermance WildCare 2022-11-29 | WildCare envisions a world in which all humans live well with wildlife. Through our wildlife hospital, nature education program, and advocacy work, we provided the community with the knowledge and resources to navigate the boundaries between humans and wildlife. Alison, our Director of Communications, believes so strongly in our mission that she has dedicated the last 20 years to this vital work. Featuring WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador, Marshall the American White Pelican! Marshall came to WildCare after being found underneath a truck in Sacramento, CA. Marshall sustained fractured clavicles, a fractured hip, and head trauma, resulting in permanent blindness in his left eye. Due to his injuries, Marshall was unable to be released to the wild. Marshall makes such a wonderful addition to the WildCare Wildlife Ambassadors with his playful and curious nature. Appearances also by WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassadors, Herman the Heerman’s Gull and Baja the Brown Pelican. To learn more about our Wildlife Ambassadors visit: discoverwildcare.org/educational-programs/our-wildlife-ambassadors
5 Reasons to Give - Dr. Juliana Sorem on Giving Wildlife a Second Chance WildCare 2022-11-29 | Dr. Juliana Sorem, WildCare’s first resident Veterinarian, spotlights patient 3200, an American Crow. On intake, the crow was unable to stand or use his legs. With no obvious fractures on x-rays, our medical staff has been treating him with pain medication and supportive care. Join Dr. Sorem for this bird's last exam before graduating to an outdoor aviary, and his first moments in his new enclosure. "It’s these moments of restoring animals [back] to health that makes this all worthwhile,” says Dr. Sorem, who started her journey here at WildCare in 1996 as a volunteer. Pigeons, House Mice, rats, WildCare admits patients of all shapes and sizes, even those that are considered “pests”. We strongly believe that all wild animals deserve a second chance at life.
5 Reasons to Give - Living with Wildlife Hotline with Mohave the Desert Tortoise and Dion Campbell WildCare 2022-11-29 | Wondering who to call for wildlife advice? From finding injured wild animals, to general wildlife questions, WildCare’s Wildlife Hotline is here to help. Our hotline is a free resource that provides support and advice, receiving over 15,000 calls from across the country, each year. Dion, one of our Hotline Service Representatives can provide information that really does change the course of a wildlife interaction. Featuring WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador, Mohave the California Desert Tortoise! Mohave was found wandering around Mendocino, CA, most likely as an abandoned or escaped pet. Fish & Wildlife does not allow reintroduction of Desert Tortoises due to the possibility of introducing disease to the wild population and tortoises that have lived in captivity for years have a very low chance of survival if released. Mohave is estimated to be 70 years old!
5 Reasons to Give - Nature Education Changes Lives with Rosie the Rosy Boa and Kate Lynch WildCare 2022-11-29 | Meet Rosie, WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador Rosy Boa! Gentle and slow-moving, Rosie is not only a wonderful ambassador for her own species, but for all snakes, teaching adults and children of all ages the importance of responsible pet ownership. Our Wildlife Ambassador Program is one of the many ways our WildCare’s Terwilliger Nature Education Programs make an impact. These highly interactive experiences connect over 35,000 children and adults with nature through the experiential environmental education practices created by Elizabeth Terwilliger, Marin County’s beloved “Mrs. T.” “I can’t tell you how many teachers have told me that many of their students have never experienced nature,” says Kate, our Education and Front Desk Manager. "It is these inspiring experiences with nature and wildlife that really [do] change lives,” she says.
5 Reasons to Give - Appreciating Wildlife with Milo the Virginia Opossum and Nicole Trautsch WildCare 2022-11-29 | Did you know that opossums may walk up to two miles a day in search of food? For this reason, our Wildlife Ambassador Opossum is named Milo.Milo, along with all of WildCare’s non-releasable Wildlife Ambassadors, makes it possible for people to learn about and become familiar with species they may have never seen before! Many times, this newfound knowledge transforms into respect and compassion. People who meet Milo the opossum “walk away understanding [opossums’] fascinating role in our ecosystem,” says Nicole, WildCare’s Director of Development. Nicole has been able to release fully healed wildlife patients back to their habitats in the wild, and she feels immense gratitude that WildCare provides all injured and orphaned animals with a second chance at life. Through our Wildlife Hospital, Nature Education programs and advocacy, WildCare teaches people all over the Bay Area to appreciate wildlife, and to care.This video features WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassador, Milo the Virginia Opossum! Milo came to WildCare as an orphan earlier this year. Milo was not growing at the same rate as his siblings and lacked the proper fear response to predators, which is crucial to survival in the wild.Thanks to our Medical Staff and our Wildlife Ambassador team, Milo is now thriving as a Wildlife Ambassador, inspiring compassion for his species and wildlife in general.
Fostering the Future - WildCare Gala 2022 WildCare 2022-09-20 | This heartwarming video premiered at the 2022 WildCare Gala! Special thanks to Linda Stiles for this beautiful video!
Raccoons at WildCare Beat the Heat WildCare 2022-09-20 | During a heatwave, WildCare's Wildlife Hospital does everything possible to keep our animal patients cool. That includes holding a pool party for our juvenile raccoons! These youngsters arrived at WildCare as orphans and grew up in care. Once they are old enough, we will release them back to the wild.
Blond Baby Squirrel Reunited with Mom WildCare 2022-09-20 | Squirrels are great moms, so when WildCare admits a baby squirrel that has fallen from the nest, our first thought is to see if the baby is healthy enough to return to her mother's care. This pretty blonde squirrel, a light-colored morph of the Eastern Gray Squirrel species, was healthy, and her mother took her back!
Eastern Gray Squirrels Reunited with Their Mother WildCare 2022-09-20 | These baby Eastern Gray Squirrels fell from their nest due to winds and heat, but they fortunately didn't get injured in their fall! This meant it was possible to reunite them with their mother, and this extraordinary video shows the mother squirrel taking her babies back. Thank you, Jennifer C for providing WildCare with this footage!
Baby Squirrels Reunited with Their Mother WildCare 2022-09-20 | These five baby Eastern Fox Squirrels were brought to WildCare after their tree was cut down by tree-trimmers. Fortunately the baby squirrels were uninjured, so the WildCare decided to attempt to reunite them with their mother. It worked! As the rescuers watched and took video from inside the house, the mother squirrel overcame her fear and collected all five of her babies, one by one, carrying them to her alternative nest site and safety.
Squirrels Reunited with Their Mother WildCare 2022-09-20 | These Eastern Gray Squirrels fell from their nest and landed on a driveway. Their rescuers brought them to WildCare, where, after staying overnight for observation, it was determined that they were healthy enough to return to their mother squirrel's care. This video shows her taking them back up the palm tree to her nest.
WildCare 2022 Gala WildCare 2022-08-21 | Bid in the auction or make a donation at https://wildcare22.ggo.bid/
2022 WildCare Gala Auction Preview WildCare 2022-08-17 | See some of the amazing items up for bid in the 2022 WildCare Gala Auctions!
Orphaned Baby Squirrels at WildCare WildCare 2022-07-28 | These tiny newborn baby squirrels arrived at WildCare after a passerby heard one of them squeaking, and found their nest, fallen from its tree, lying broken on the ground with the babies inside. They had clearly been on the ground for a while, and it's lucky they were rescued! Watch our team gently warm these tiny babies and comb fly eggs off of them.
Release Day for the Roller Disco Barn Owls WildCare 2022-04-06 | This Barn Owl and two others were trapped for at least a week in a San Francisco roller disco. Patrons had seen them bobbing their heads, and had mistakenly assumed the birds were "dancing" and that they were in the rafters of the skating rink intentionally. Fortunately wildlife experts saw the post and recognized that the birds were in distress and needed rescue. After more than a month in care at WildCare, the two surviving birds were ready for release! Here they are placed in a newly-constructed Barn Owl box at the top of the roller disco (it's built in an old church). The team places the owls in box with the exit hole closed, they allow the owls to settle and adjust, and then they open the exit hole, releasing the owls back to the wild. Note that the loud crashing noises are from a glass recycling truck on the busy street below.
Roller Disco Barn Owls in Care at WildCare WildCare 2022-04-06 | These two Barn Owls were trapped for at least a week in a San Francisco roller disco. Patrons had seen them moving around, and mistakenly assumed the birds were "dancing" and that they were in the rafters of the skating rink intentionally. Fortunately wildlife experts saw the post and recognized that the birds were in distress and needed rescue. After more than a month in care at WildCare, the two surviving birds were ready for release! In this video, they have just returned to their enclosure at WildCare after receiving their federal bands. They were released, after our team ensured that the entry holes into the skating rink were sealed shut, back to their San Francisco habitat.
Barn Owl Trapped in Roller Disco Receives Federal Band Before Release WildCare 2022-04-06 | This Barn Owl and two others were trapped for at least a week in a San Francisco rollerskate disco. Patrons had seen them moving around, and mistakenly assumed the birds were "dancing" and that they were in the rafters of the skating rink intentionally. Fortunately wildlife experts saw the post and recognized that the birds were in distress and needed rescue. After more than a month in care at WildCare, the two surviving birds were ready for release! In this video, one receives a federal band from a volunteer banding expert who also takes measurements and records other data on the bird.
Orphaned Baby Squirrel Enjoying Formula at WildCare WildCare 2022-04-06 | This baby squirrel was orphaned and injured after he fell from his nest and was caught by a dog. His appetite is good, which is a very good sign! He will stay in care at WildCare until he is old enough to be released back to the wild.
First Orphaned Baby Squirrel of 2022 WildCare 2022-04-06 | This baby fell from his nest and was then picked up by a dog! He has some injuries, but hopefully, with good care, he'll be able to recover and return to the wild once he is old enough.
Orphaned Baby Hummingbird at WildCare WildCare 2022-04-06 | This baby hummingbird fell from her nest and was found, hypothermic and utterly helpless, on the ground. Fortunately someone saw her and brought her to WildCare's Wildlife Hospital. In this video our team is offering the baby specialized hummingbird food from a syringe. The bulb on the bottom of the syringe looks large, but the tube without it would be too sharp to feed safely, and the baby clearly figured out how to eat from it! This baby will be in care with our Hummingbird Specialist until she is old enough to be released to the wild.
Red tailed Hawk Eye Exam with Stain WildCare 2022-04-06 | Watch WildCare's veterinarian examining the Red-tailed Hawk's injured eye. Once this bird has recovered, she will be released back to the wild.
Eye Exam on an Injured Red-tailed Hawk at WildCare WildCare 2022-04-06 | This bird had obviously been injured on the ground for a while before she was rescued. She has an injury to her right eye, and matted blood and feathers on her body. We don't know what caused her injuries, but we're very glad she was rescued! Watch our veterinarian examining the injured eye in this video. Once the hawk recovers, we will return her to the wild.
Skunk Stuck in Elevator Gets a Bath WildCare 2022-04-06 | This skunk got caught in the mechanism of an elevator and survived hanging upside down for three days before he was rescued! Upon intake at WildCare, he was injured and exhausted, in addition to being covered with grease from the elevator. This video shows WildCare Medical Staff drying his fur after a de-greasing bath. The skunk continues to recover in care at WildCare.
WildCare New Volunteer Orientation and Information 2022 WildCare 2021-12-18 | This is an informational session about volunteering with WildCare and a prerequisite for volunteering in the Wildlife Hospital. In this video you will learn about the types of volunteer opportunities available to you, a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be a part of the WildCare team, and how to get started with your application!Anyone who has watched this video can apply at bit.ly/WCVolApp. Applications will be reviewed starting in January 2022!
Cold and wet Bushtit receives dextrose solution at WildCare WildCare 2021-12-01 | The first storm of the season was a massive one! Many animals like this Bushtit were caught in the wet and cold. Fortunately this tiny bird was rescued. Watch our team warming him and offering dextrose solution in this video. He will stay in care until he has recovered, and then we will release him back to the wild.
Cold, wet opossum admitted to WildCare WildCare 2021-12-01 | The first storm of the season was a massive one! Many animals like this young opossum were caught in the wet and cold. Fortunately this opossum was rescued. Watch our team gently warming him in towels in this video. He will stay in care until he has recovered, and then we will release him back to the wild.
Cold and wet crow admitted to WildCare WildCare 2021-12-01 | The first storm of the season was a massive one! Many animals like this young crow were caught in the wet and cold. Fortunately this crow was rescued. Watch our team gently warming him in towels in this video. He will stay in care until he has recovered, and then we will release him back to the wild.
Cold and wet Barn Owl admitted to WildCare WildCare 2021-12-01 | The first storm of the season was a massive one! Many animals like this Barn Owl were caught in the wet and cold. Fortunately this bird was rescued. In this video the owl has been warmed, and our veterinary team is giving him subcutaneous fluids. He will stay in care until he has recovered, and then we will release him back to the wild.
A Big Thank You to WildCare Supporters on Giving Tuesday 2021! WildCare 2021-12-01 | Thank you! WildCare made our #GivingTuesday Match!
