Category: Wildlife Rehabilitation
A Resilient Mother Opossum
May 10, 2023A Virginia opossum mom arrived at the Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic a few weeks ago after a caring rescuer found her injured in her backyard. Our rehabilitators discovered a large wound on her hip along with severe damage to her toes. The team also noticed that she was carrying a pouch full of babies estimated to be four weeks old. Thankfully, the babies were unharmed and their mother continued to nurse them as the rehabilitators patched up her injuries.
This patient could not undergo a “normal” surgery to close up her wounds. Baby opossums stay latched in their mother’s pouch…
Rehabilitating the American woodcock
March 25, 2023Spring has sprung! Despite the fluctuating temperatures, wildlife have begun preparing for the warmer months ahead.
The earliest sign of spring at the Wildlife Clinic is the migration of the American woodcock. These birds are typically the first to arrive in
[caption id="attachment_276450" align="alignleft" width="300"] American Woodcock[/caption]
the spring and the last to leave in the winter. Woodcocks are known for their unique looks and fascinating courtship displays.
This woodcock was admitted to the clinic after flying into a window while migrating over Philadelphia. After his examination, our rehabilitators decided to perform an X-ray to determine the extent of his…
Meet Patient 23-12: The Rare and Beautiful Long-Tailed Duck
February 5, 2023Meet patient 23-12, the long-tailed duck, a beautiful species of sea duck known for their unique vocalizations and coloration. The first one to ever be admitted to our Wildlife Clinic, this handsome adult male was unable to fly and bleeding from his chest, warranting immediate help from our rehabilitators.
Our intake examination revealed a wound below the neck that was scabbed over and already beginning the healing process. We also noticed a bit of cloudiness in his left eye, determined to be light trauma. After performing some x-rays, we were able to rule out any fractures or other internal injury.…
What is Overwintering?
December 11, 2022As the temperatures continue to drop and we begin to pull our heavy sweaters out from storage, we know one thing is for certain – winter is coming! There are many reasons to enjoy this season: unique changes to our ecosystem, hitting the ski slopes, cozying up by the fireplace, and of course, the holidays. For most of us, however, winter is also associated with grueling temperatures, snowstorms, and a lack of sunshine. These things can have a huge impact on the way we operate in our everyday lives. To get to work on time, you have to shovel out…
Wildlife Clinic is temporarily closed
September 19, 2022Unfortunately, our Wildlife Clinic is temporarily closed and not accepting new patients.
If you have an animal that is contained, contact your local PA wildlife rehabilitation center. The Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators also maintains a list of wildlife rehabilitators across the state.
Wilderz Wildlife in Willow Grove, the Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Bucks County, or Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research in Delaware.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Bird Safe Philly: Helping Migrating Birds on their Journey North
April 18, 2022[caption id="attachment_275001" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A common yellowthroat, one of the many species of migrating birds passing over the city. This one collided with a plate glass window, but happily was only dazed, brought to the Wildlife Clinic, treated, and released-- a conservation success story.[/caption]
It's migration season and millions of birds are right now pouring over the city of Philadelphia on their way to northern nesting grounds. A river of warblers, flycatchers, shorebirds, hummingbirds, thrushes, and more are heading to their ancestral mating grounds.
And Bird Safe Philly, a new partnership, hopes to make their travels safer. Birds colliding with…
Liz Ellmann: A Warrior for Wildlife
September 13, 2021[caption id="attachment_273241" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Liz Ellmann helping a turtle[/caption]
The Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center, the city’s only wildlife rehabilitation clinic, is located on Port Royal Avenue in Upper Roxborough and staffed by an extraordinary group of dedicated workers, both employees and volunteers, who handle thousands of injured, sick, and orphaned animals annually. It’s a labor of love.
Separately, the Schuylkill Center this summer unveiled our mudhif, a traditional Iraqi guesthouse built of reeds-- the first one ever built outside of Iraq. In memory of this year’s 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Center last weekend offered “Reconciliation: A Healing…
Window Strike Season
October 14, 2020[caption id="attachment_271710" align="alignnone" width="768"] A towel, some gloves, and a cardboard box are all you need to help rescue window-strike victims like this black-throated blue warbler.[/caption]
It’s fall migration season- do you have your bird rescue kit ready?
During the summer, if you come across a bird on the ground that can’t fly, it’s often safe to assume that bird is a baby. But during spring and fall migration, birds that are found on the ground that do not fly away are frequently adult migratory birds that have struck a window or become disoriented and are in need of human…
Weathering the Storm: How wild weather affects wildlife
August 26, 2020Fallen tree limbs and storm damage got you down? If the recent inclement weather and severe storms are having an impact on your neighborhood, imagine what they are doing to the homes and shelters of our smaller wild neighbors!
From downed trees and flooding to high winds and extreme heat, wildlife is feeling the effects of severe weather patterns just as much as humans. The consequences of these storms are clearly seen in the number of animals admitted to the wildlife clinic which are often 4-5 times higher following stormy weather than would be seen on a typical day. Here…
Wildlife Clinic April update
April 27, 2020[caption id="attachment_271390" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Virtual happy hour for Wildlife Clinic staff and volunteers to stay in touch during the lockdown.[/caption]
While human society undergoes rapid changes and we all make necessary adjustments to our daily routines, local wildlife have been going about their usual spring activities of breeding and nesting. The important work of the Wildlife Clinic must go on and our staff are adapting to our new “normal” as best we can under the challenging current circumstances.
“We are still coming in everyday to not only provide treatment for the animals that we already had in care when this…
