This morning this Northern gannet was detained by Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources officers for causing quite the ruckus in the parking lot of the Yarmouth Senior Center. Northern gannets are pelagic birds that spend most of their lives at sea, and their bodies are not designed for walking long distances or taking off from land. When provoked they can make a very loud “honking” noise, which can be unsettling to the average citizen.
Northern gannets (and other seabirds) often get lost and mistake asphalt parking lots and roads for bodies of water, and will end up stranding themselves. We believe that is what happened to our friend here. Officer Cotone brought the bird to our hospital and released him into our custody. After an exam our vet team found him to be 100% healthy… and 100% very angry at the fact he was apprehended and had to deal with us. Shortly afterwards he was returned to Officer Cotone with a clean bill of health. She was kind enough to give him a boat ride offshore and return him to his ocean home, where he will hopefully stay on the straight and narrow. 😂
#jailbirds #straightandnarrow #birdsofinstagram #animalsinpredicaments #secondchances #feelgood #goodnews #natural #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #oceanlife #capecod #newenglandwildlife #naturelovers #ornothology #birder #gannet #yarmouth #grateful
Point of View: you are a young fox 🦊
You and your adopted siblings have spent the last 5 months recovering from various injuries at a wildlife Center. You are all finally healthy and strong, you’re an expert at catching your food, and lately the humans have largely left you alone other than the cleanings and feedings. Your outdoor cage that once felt enormous has started to feel a bit cramped. Then...one day....they usher you into a carrier, give you a shot, take you out to the NICEST cage you have ever seen! It’s got rivers, and meadows, and enormous trees. Animals of all kinds are running about. You take a second to take it all in and realize it’s not a cage it’s the wild - your forever home- and in an instant you are outta there!!
Honestly this is how happy we would be too if we were these foxes! While we always strive to give them the best possible care in our hospital there is simply no substitute for the great outdoors.
This release was particularly special because these four red fox kits had such a LONG road to reach this point. One was caught in a soccer net and suffered deep lacerations to his chest, another lost his family to a case of suspected rodenticide poisoning and had a bad case of mange, the other two were separated from their parents after they were caught in a sewer drain. It took a lot of work and resources to get them to this point, but thanks to all of your support they made it!
It is so gratifying to watch them start their lives in the wild after months of intensive care and they could not have asked for a better spot. Thank you to the amazing Officers at Plymouth Dept. Of Natiral Resources and Plymouth Animal Shelter for offering this beautifully restored habitat AND for rescuing one of the kits in the first place. #fox #release #greatoutdoors #wildlife #plymouth #naturelovers
What to expect when your eggspecting 🐢🥚
This proud looking snapping turtle became a mom today when 5 of her eggs hatched! She has been in our care for several months recovering from injuries sustained after she was struck by a vehicle while looking for a safe nesting spot. She was badly injured and required extensive surgery to put her shell back together. Due to the traumatic nature of her injuries and the prolonged recovery time (turtles do everything slow) we made the choice to induce her to lay her eggs in our care so that she could concentrate on her recovery. Today, the first 5 hatchlings made their debut in our turtle garden! All 5 are in good health and will soon be transported to a pond near where their mom was found.
What to eggspect from a new turtle mom:
In the turtle world all of the work takes place up front. After fertilization Mom carries the eggs for months while they develop. All the while she is taking in extra calories and devoting bodily resources to help them grow. Then she will search for the perfect nesting spot to lay her eggs. These spots need to provide a degree of protection from predators, have the right substrate to control temp and humidity, and be within a reasonable proximity to a body of water. Once she settles on a spot they will often return year after year to have their young. However, once the eggs are laid mom leaves the rest to nature and instinct. She makes the trek back to her aquatic home and is officially free of her parental duties. After about 90 days the hatchlings emerge from their shells and are off to the races. They are born with ability to find food, seek shelter, and eventually find their way to the water.
Turtle moms may not be the most hands-on parents, but they have had over 100 million years to perfect the process. Sometimes you just can’t beat experience #eggspectation #momsdoitbetter #turtlesofinstagram #coldblooded #newmom #wildbabies #rescue #wildlifevet #feelgood #goodnews #natural #bekind
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