After mild weather and no snow cover, mother nature has finally ushered in the colder weather and snow that keeps our water table full, the hibernators sleeping, and the insects at bay. Although great for our local ecology, three feet in 5 days posed quite a challenge for our tiny full-time staff of 5.

Enter local Navy and Coast guardsmen, on their time off duty they dug out 45 outdoor enclosures that provide shelter to patients in care and our wildlife ambassadors, allowing us to keep up medical care for current patients and keep on admitting new ones.  Thank you Rich, Dan, and Tyler!

A Parliament of Owls

In a week, Center for Wildlife admitted 4 barred owls, making over 10 admitted this winter alone. Adult raptors are among the most typical winter species that we admit, and they have generally been hit by cars. Owl eyes are so prominent, they often suffer head and eye trauma when they are struck by vehicles.  Owl eyes have similar structures in their eyes as humans, and depending on how blunt and forceful the trauma is the injury can actually completely heal.  We have been tracking patients in the WILD-ONe national database since 2012, and with their mapping capabilities and a commitment to consistent terminology, we are hopeful that this data can soon be used to inform communities on signage and other best management recommendations to mitigate injuries to local wildlife. 

We are pleased that two of our winter barred owl  patients have been released, and another has been  cleared for release this week!  As part of assessing them for release, we need to be sure that they are able to hunt, aka feed themselves and avoid starvation post release. 3 staff and an Apprentice gathered recently to peek through the wooden enclosure slats and observe a barred owl patient with mice in his enclosure.  We saw the owl perk it's ears and turn his facial disks towards the sound of the tiny feet on the leaves.  After 15 minutes of baited breath, and watching the barred owl focus in, he swooped down and caught his prey on the first try! 

He was released the next day, back to the forest.  Farewell silent hunter.  

It may not be a coincidence that these three porcupines are young males.  Males stay with their mothers for over a year, while the females are on there own within 6 months.  If these males' mothers were hit by cars, they would have been struggling to just stay alive and this naturally occurring mite would take over. All three are eating well and responding to treatment; anti-fungal and antibiotics for the mites and subsequent infection, along with regular skin treatments and washings.  They have lost most of their fur and quills, but are strong survivors and we are sticking with them!