A second chance for this young Barn owl marked a milestone for this protected species! 💪 🦉
The owlet that NEWCS rescue team saved from a collapsing building in July was successfully returned to the wild yesterday. It took months of intensive care to help him recover from his injuries and prepare him for a life in the wild. He had a long journey, but he managed to hit every benchmark a long the way, and did so a bright attitude throughout the process. He passed his final flight test with (*clears throat*) flying colors...and was cleared for takeoff.
Barn Owls are a species of special concern in Massachusetts due to their small population size. Until now the only established colony in the Eastern part of the state was thought to be on Nantucket, however the discovery of this chick and discovery of the mating pair in Yarmouth gives us new hope that the species is returning back to the mainland!
Thank you to all of the neighbors, property owners, and town and state agencies who worked together to make this story possible and give this young owl a second chance at life in the wild! #barnowl #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeaddicts #naturalnewengland #capecod #owlsofinstagram #superbowl #🦉 #yarmouthmassachusetts
We'd like to introduce you to our newest cliff-nesting, fish-catching, cold-weather friend the Razorbill! This particular bird was recovered on sandy neck beach after someone was alarmed that there was a penguin struggling in the surf. To their surprise (and to the relief of everyone in the Northern hemisphere) Rangers determined that it was in fact a Razorbill. They are members of the native Auk family, and while they look similar to penguins they are not closely related by genetics.
This poor fellow was in trouble because his primary feathers were in very bad condition. many are broken at the shaft and others have been badly tattered. Our best guess is that he was caught in the recent bout of storms and was blown too close to shore where he was caught in the surf. This may seem like a superficial condition, but it is actually quite serious. Pelagic birds depend on their feathers for flight, diving to find food, waterproofing, and maintaining a healthy body temperature. He most certainly would not have survived in the wild, and will need to regrow the feathers before returning to the wild. This is a long stressful process, (which means his prognosis remains guarded) but we will do all that we can to keep him comfortable and healthy during his recovery. You can see that he is already enjoying the free fish! Keep your fingers crossed for this little guy, and be grateful that Cape Cod has not yet been invaded by penguins.
#notapenguin #razorbill #seabirds #feathers #capecodandtheislands #rescue #roadtorecovery #wildlifeaddicts #naturelovers #naturalnewengland
Do you ‘egret’ stepping on that clam?? This Snowy egret presented to our hospital in an unusual predicament when a quahog snapped closed around one of his toes. Our veterinary team was able to remove it, however it did some damage by fracturing the toe. We splinted the toe and stabilized him with fluids and pain meds. He was also offered the quahog with his dinner as consolation prize.
#snowyegret #birdsofinstagram #quahog #shellfishdanger #wildlifemedicine #capecodlife
*warning gruesome image* This juvenile eastern grey squirrel beat the odds when he came face to face (literally) with a chainsaw last weekend. He sustained a large laceration on his face from his ear down to his chin as well as a broken leg. Our veterinary team was able to stabilize him for surgery and went to work quickly trying to repair the damage to his face. Fortunately all muscles, nerves, and blood vessels were intact and Dr. Patel was able to suture the wound closed. His leg was immobilized in a splint and a tiny e-collar was placed around his neck (to prevent scratching at sutures) before waking him up. Although upset about his new accessory with pain meds and antibiotics on board he was feeling overall much better! We are very hopeful he will make a full recovery. Please remember when clearing/ cutting down trees to check for nests and wildlife first, it could save a life!
#squirrelsofinstagram #whoruntheworldsquirrels #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifesurgery #plasticsurgery #coneofshame #capecodwildlife
Did you know we provide more than just veterinary care at our hospitals? Other services include auto detailing and maintenence. This gentleman chose the De-Snake-ification package in which we remove all unwanted reptilians from the vehicle 🐍
Just kidding...But our team did go above and beyond today to help retrieve an escaped patient from our new friend Brandon’s vehicle. He is a realtor and found this Milk snake in the basement of a property he was showing. The snake was quite lethargic so he kindly captured it and zipped it into a duffel bag for transport...or so he thought. We met Brandon outside and prepared to intake the patient, but to our surprise (and Brandon’s dismay) the snake had other plans. He had managed to slither free from a quarter sized opening in the bag and seemingly vanished on the 30 minute drive from Falmouth. After much searching we decided to disassemble the the the backseat and wheel well covers. After a causing a minor amount of (mostly) reversible damage we found the snake comfortably curled up behind the seat assembly.
After a quick exam the snake was deemed healthy and was likely just lethargic due to the low temperatures in the basement. Brandon’s efforts and the snakes escape attempt may have actually provided the snake with the heat support he needed to feel better. We will hold on to him for a quick observation period, and then return him to the wild where he will hopefully avoid stowing away in basements or vehicles for the foreseeable future #🥛🐍 #desnakeification #aboveandbeyond #allinadayswork #snakesofinstagram #snakesincarsgettingcoffee #realtorsofig #realestate #wildlife #wildlifeofinstagram #milksnake
A Sanderling on wounded Wing
This stately bird is known as a Sanderling. A large(r) member of the Sandpiper family, that can be seen scurrying up and down Cape Cod beaches this time of year probing the sand for small isopods and invertebrates to eat. The adults use our peninsula as a rest stop on their 3,000 mile journey south after spending the breeding season high up in the Canadian Arctic. Many of the younger non-breeding members remain in their wintering grounds all year, rather than expending energy on a “fruitless” trip (we’ll explain when your older kids 🙂).
This particular Sanderling got into trouble after he injured his wing on a beach in Mashpee and was left unable to fly. He was recovered by a team member at Mass Audubon Coastal Waterbird Program and was rushed to our hospital for care. He received a thorough exam, xrays, and bloodwork. To our relief the injury was the result of a soft-tissue trauma, rather than a broken bone. He was started on anti-inflammatory medication and cage rested in a small enclosure outfitted with a natural looking habitat to recover in. He made slow and steady progress, and before long was using the wing and maintaining a normal posture. After a successful flight test, he was cleared for release!
Our friend Lyra from the Coastal Water Bird Program was kind enough to give him a lift back Mashpee where she returned him to the wild. As you can see in the video he wasted no time, and quickly integrated into a nearby flock! #sanderling #sandpiper #goodtobehome #safetravels #natirelovers #wildlifephotography #capecod #mashpee
If you thought you were having a bad day this gull has you beat. This adult herring gull unfortunately found his way into a vat of cooking oil, which completely covered every inch of his body. Animals contaminated with oils suffer many secondary consequences. The oil prevents their feathers from functioning properly interfering with their ability to fly, stay waterproofed, and thermoregulate. In addition many animals try to clean themselves by preening or licking the oils off and ingest toxins that affect their GI system as well as other important organs. On admission we quickly assessed this patient and fortunately found no other traumatic injures however he was weak from the ordeal so we removed as much of the oil as possible with oil absorbent pads and provided stabilization fluids. By the next day he was strong enough to begin the washing process. This process can take up to an hour and can be very stressful for the patient so we work as quickly and efficiently as possible. First we prepare several bathing tubs each with different concentrations of Dawn soap as well as several rinse buckets. After being washed in each tub for about five minutes we then use a high power spray nozzle to remove any remaining debris and realign al the barbs of the feathers in the correct orientation. Before the end of the rinse we should start to see the water bead off the feathers which lets us know the feathers are becoming waterproofed again. Finally we let the patient dry out with a heat blower and when recovered he can be moved outside to our seabird enclosure where he can preen and continue to improve his waterproofing. We are happy to say our wash was a success and he was back to showing off his clean plumage in no time!
#herringgullsofinstagram #shorebirds #oiledbirds #dawnsaveswildlife #wildliferehabilitation #friedfoodkills #wildlifeofcapecod #birdsofinstagram #birdsofafeather
Today's Enrichment Challenge: Bobbing for Apples. 🦝 🍎
Now this may look like fun (and we suspect it is), but there is some serious work taking place here! Activities like this one play an important role in healthy development for our young patients. As orphans they do not have the benefit of parental wisdom and guidance as they mature, which leaves them at a significant disadvantage compared to their wild counterparts. To help them compensate we design tasks that challenge them to learn the proper behavioral and tactile skills to survive in the wild. Raccoons are particularly dexterous creatures and have the best sense of touch in the animal kingdom. They have thousands of nerves running to their little paws, and often wet their food prior to eating to get a clearer "picture" of it. They rely on this sensory information to help discern which items are safe to eat and which may be harmful. Providing them with this type of activity helps them hone this behavior and encourages them to work for their meals rather than taking it directly out of the bowl.
Additionally, group activities like this one are beneficial because they encourage them to interact with each other. This helps them develop proper social cues and recognize the body language of their cage-mates. In the wild raccoons often find themselves sharing habitat, and in suburban areas may end up in close quarters with others of their own species. Just like with us humans, everyone does not always get along and disagreements happen from time to time. In the Raccoon world this usually takes the form of a short skirmish and a lot of growling, but significant injuries can occur. Learning and maintaining a healthy sense of size, age, and boundaries from a young age can help them integrate with wild populations.
This group is in their last few weeks of care. They will soon receive their final vaccinations for distemper and rabies and will be released to the wild. Stay tuned for release videos. #🦝 #raccoonsofinstagram #enrichment #challenge #bobbingforapples #capewildlifecenter #animalsdoingthings #wildlifeplanet #natirelovers #apples
Folks we have some big news....The Goose is Loose!
Today Arnold was finally healthy enough to return to the wild and into the waiting wings of his mate Amelia. After a final veterinary exam he received a clean bill of health and waddled to freedom. Amelia was right there to receive him and they took off together for a swim in the pond ❤️
We are not sure what they will do next, but we are so happy that they have the opportunity to do it together. Arnold’s foot has healed well and today we got to see him both fly and swim. We are confident that he will have no trouble keeping up with his partner Amelia.
we sincerely want to thank everyone who followed this story and supported Arnold and Amelia through their ordeal. It has been amazing to hear from so many passionate people from around the world. We hope this story brightened your year like it did ours, and helped show how amazing these animals truly are. Thank you! 🙂
To see their full story Tune in to On The Road With Steve Hartman tomorrow on CBS Evening News at 6:30!
#arnoldthegoose #arnoldandamelia #thegooseisloose #lovestory #happyending #freeatlast @stevehartmancbs @onlyinbos @geobeatsanimals
Arnold fans!! Have we got good news for you :) Link in Bio!
Get your limited edition "Honk if you Love Arnold" shirts and help New England Wildlife Centers provide veterinary care to the many injured and orphaned wild animals that come through our doors.
The fun design is inspired by the story of Arnold and Amelia- the geese in love who swept the hearts of many. All proceeds go to support the work of New England Wildlife Centers.
#honkifyoulovearnold #arnoldthegoose #arnoldandamelia #animalsofinstagram #goodcause #dresstoimpress #animallovers #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #animalphotography #boston #capecod
Blink and you might miss it!
This female ruby-throated hummingbird made a quick stop at our hospital this week when she was found lethargic with suspected low blood sugar. She immediately started drinking dextrose (sugar water) and within a few hours she was hovering around in her cage looking for an exit and we happily sent her on her way. Soon she, along with thousands of other hummingbirds, will begin their long energy expensive migration down to parts of Mexico and Central America for the winter. While flying, their wings can beat up to 80 times a second. To achieve this phenomenal activity their tiny hearts beat as fast as 1,200 time per minute! That requires a lot of energy so they make frequent stops along the way to refuel on nectar. We expect to see a few more cases like this one in the next coming weeks and will be here to give them a safe place to recharge for their long journey!
#hummingbird #birdsofinstagram #capewildlife #tinybirds #wildlifemedicine #migratorybirds #flyingsouth #winteriscoming
Earlier this spring these Grey Fox kits were fighting for their lives. Today they are a healthy bonded pair and are starting their lives in the wild! 🦊 🦊
One was admitted after he was caught in a soccer net and suffered deep lacerations around his neck and shoulders. After an initial surgery to debride and close the wounds, we managed the site with daily honey bandage changes, antibiotics and pain medications.
The other was admitted after he was orphaned in Norfolk, MA. The animal control officer watched for her parents for several days with no luck. After getting permission from Mass wildlife she was able to capture her and bring her into our Weymouth hospital for treatment. When she arrived at our Weymouth hospital she was emaciated and extremely weak. It took her several days to regain her strength, but before long she was bright and had developed a healthy fox attitude.
After a short quarantine period and vaccinations the two were ready to meet. They were a bit standoffish at first, but before long they were fast friends. They spent the next several months growing and learning together, and slowly graduated to larger enclosures. Grey Foxes are excellent climbers and they honed their skills on platforms and tall tree branches and we gave them progressively more difficult enrichment tasks each day designed to help them practice the necessary skills for survival in the wild. After a final veterinary check and a last round of vacines they were ready to go. Norfolk animal control picked them up yesterday and delivered them to the wild together! #foxfamily #greyfox #goodnews #foxofinstagram #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #capewildlifecenter #newenglandwildlife #animalsofinstagram
WARNING ⚠️ this one is a little graphic 🙂
This poor Eastern Box Turtle was admitted with two MASSIVE Aural abscesses protruding from her head. They were so pronounced that they prompted some comparison to Princess leia. This type of abscess is reasonably common in terrestrial turtle species, but if left untreated can ultimately be fatal. These abscesses are usually the result of poor nutrition (lack of vitamin A) or a bacterial infection that leads to abnormalities in the middle ear. These irregularities help spur infections and then a type of white blood cell, known as a heterophil, is called in to clean up the mess. Over time these heterophils die and their remains form a casseus pus over the ear canal. These build-ups cause a lot of pressure and discomfort for the turtle and can even cause the infection to take hold in the upper respiratory system and conjunctiva around the eye. There is really only one way to relieve this condition..... yup you guessed it , you have to manually express the pus.
Just like a doctor popping a large cyst or pimple on a human, we sterilize the area and cut a small incision over the mass. We then gently apply pressure until all of the granular material is out. Afterwards the incisions are flushed with saline and the turtle is given a strong dose of antibiotics and some pain medications. It is definitely not the most savory looking procedure, but as you can imagine it is a huge relief to the poor turtle! 🐢 😅
#drpimplepopper #relief #abcess #veterinarymedicine #ahhhhhhhhh #boxturtle #turtlesofinstagram #naturelovers #endangeredspecies #wildlifelovers #capewildlifecenter #newenglandwildlife
It’s #freedomfriday for this young Osprey! After two weeks of rehab for injuries he sustained after a crash landing, our vet team cleared him for take off! We suspect he will make short flight back to the area he was originally found and will remain there until it is time to migrate. Best of luck out there! #osprey #timetofly #headedhome #wildlifeofinstagram #capewildlifecenter #newenglandwildlifecenter 
Arnold Update!
Today was a big day for Arnold. After a very positive checkup, our veterinary team determined his foot is healed enough to remove the bandaging permanently. This was nerve wracking (for all involved) as it was the first time we were able to assess his gait post-surgery. We knew he was able get around, but the large bandage and protective boot were a bit awkward and made waddling difficult. Geese are heavy birds and a permanent limp could potentially lead to further health complications so there was a lot riding on this, but......he did great!! He is compensating for his injury very well and should not have any trouble resuming normal goose activities 🥳
Amelia is also doing well, and remains close by. They continue to spend time together and enjoy a shared meal in the outdoor playpen each day. Arnold will soon move outside to a large enclosure with a pool for a final stretch of observation and re-acclimation. After that it’s back to the wild.
#arnoldthegoose #transformationtuesday #makingprogress #feelinggood #animalsofinstagram #naturelovers #capewildlifecenter #newenglandwildlife #geeseofinstagram @tanksgoodnews @upworthy