Cape Wildlife Center

09/19/2025

Thank you for all the well wishes! Our little opossum is doing better today. We came in this morning to find he had eaten all his food overnight, was curled up in a little ball, and I don’t know about you but that looks like a little smile on his face 🥰. We’ll continue to keep you posted on his progress.

09/18/2025

This juvenile opossum gave DPW quite a shock when they went to collect him from the side of the road thinking he was roadkill and he suddenly moved! Bourne animal control was quickly notified to bring the little guy to us to be evaluated. Unfortunately he wasn’t just ‘playin possum’ and our veterinary team discovered he had some wounds to his face and neck and showed neurological signs of not being able to sit up or stand. He was also very skinny and dehydrated, which leads us to believe he’s been dealing with some of these issues for an extended period of time.
We captured some quick X-rays, that did not show an obvious spinal fractures, so worked to rehydrate him and increase his blood sugar to see if some of the neuro signs were due to being hypoglycemic. Tonight he is resting comfortable and we’re hoping to see an improvement in his status in the morning 🤞

09/17/2025

Keep an eye on the sky, aerial bait distribution is starting September 23rd 🚁🦝

For more info on this important program check out this link: https://www.capecod.gov/departments/health-environment/programs-services/environmental-health/rabies-awareness/rabies-task-force/

**ATTENTION!** Distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits by helicopter in Plymouth and Barnstable Counties is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 23!

The Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force will begin distributing ORV baits by helicopter in the towns of Plymouth, Wareham, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Lakeville, Middleborough, Rochester, Marion, Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Barnstable.

These baits are meant to be distributed in areas where terrestrial rabies vectors (ie. raccoons, foxes, and coyotes) frequent, and away from areas where domestic animals and people are likely to find them. The baits are typically not harmful to people or pets, but if a bait is found, please call 877-722-6725 to report where it was located. Additionally, we ask that you obey your town’s leash law as every bait that is picked up and consumed by a dog is one that is considered a lost dose – a dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.

Thank you for your cooperation on this important project! Please follow the Cape Cod & Southeast MA Rabies Task Force page for the latest information about rabies in southeast Massachusetts!

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment Barnstable County Government Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Massachusetts Department of Public Health Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Massachusetts Environmental Police Metropolitan Animal Control Officer's Association Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts Plymouth Municipal Airport Plymouth County Plymouth County League of Sportsmen Wildlife Rehabilitators' Association of Massachusetts - WRAM Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative Cape Wildlife Center

09/17/2025

This American Toad was stepped on, and he is not hoppy about it.

One moment your going along, looking for an earthworm to eat, and the next thing you know your dodging an enormous foot. Life can be like that sometimes.

Thankfully, the owner of the foot was kind enough to stop and help. After apologizing for the accident, she consulted with our desk she brought him over for a full exam. Luckily, he survived the encounter with only a small laceration to the inside of his right leg. Quick reaction times by both parties likely saved his life.

Our team determined that cage rest and time would be sufficient to heal the wound. Amphibians skin is so delicate and sensitive (did you know they actually use their skin to help them breathe?!) that sometimes letting a superficial wound heal by second intention is the best way to go.

This situation happens more than you might think! Toads are so well camouflaged that they are hard to see in tall grass and leaf litter. During Summer months we see a few each year that have been stepped on, hit by a lawn mower, or picked up by a dog.

You can’t avoid every accident, but watching your step in tall grass, walking the lawn ahead of mowing to help usher the toads (and other animals) to safety, and keeping an eye on pets can make a big difference!

It’s also important to note that American Toads are technically poisonous. They produce a mild toxin through small glands on their head which helps discourage predators. If your dog or cat gets ahold of one and experiences symptoms, you should consult your vet right away.

09/11/2025

Ever wonder what a Natural Resource Officer Does?!! 🦉🚨

Come to Cape Wildlife Center on Thursday September 18 for a meet and greet with Director David Condon and Resource Officer Brett Halloran will be on site to talk about What they do and the services they provide to the Public and wildlife to keep everyone safe.

Time: 11:00am-12:00 Pm. 4011 Main St Barnstable Ma

All are welcome for this free event. Come with any questions you have concerning wildlife or
the roles of the Department of Natural Resources or The Cape Wildlife Center Wildlife Hospital.
Light refreshments provided.

Some topics discussed:

-What to do if you find any wildlife, injured or orphaned

-Learn about Massachusetts Guidelines and regulations regarding wildlife

-Resources available to the public for wildlife problems

-How the Department of Natural Resources can help you

-Animals That may put humans or other animals at risk

Call (508) 362-0111 or email [email protected] with any questions.

09/05/2025

🐾 Cape Cod Wildlife Festival 🐾

Join us on Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 am– 3:00 pm at Mass Audubon Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary for a FREE day of wild fun!
🎶 Live music by Just Another Guru
🦉 Live animal shows at 11 AM & 1 PM
🍦 Local food trucks
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Hands-on exhibits & family activities

Meet wildlife experts and discover how they protect Cape Cod’s incredible animals and habitats. We’re proud to partner with Center for Coastal Studies ifaw National Marine Life Center Orenda Wildlife Land Trust Whale and Dolphin Conservation Wild Care Cape Cod on this exciting event. Don’t miss this unforgettable day in nature!

Learn more and save your spot at https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/long-pasture/news/cape-cod-wildlife-festival

Photo credit: Mass Audubon

09/04/2025

Keep Calm and Squirrel on

As summer winds down we still have one last hurdle before the end of busy season and that is getting the last wave of baby squirrels weaned and out the door before the weather turns. Squirrels need several weeks before winter starts to cache away enough food to get them through the winter. Although they do not hibernate they still need food reserves should we have a particularly bad weather. All rehabbers are pretty much at capacity at this time so here are some tips to make sure we are saving incubator space for truly orphaned squirrels:
1. Squirrel moms are THE BEST so if you find a baby squirrel without signs of injury ( bruising, bleeding, covered in fleas or flies) attempt a reunite! Moms will search for their babies if they fall out of the nest. Elevate them off the ground in a basket with a hot water bottle if the temperatures are chilly and play baby squirrel noises from youtube on a speaker or your phone. If mom is around she will come get her babies but please give her space to do so.
2. For those teenage squirrels that try to follow you home -do not give in- yes they are cute but again if there are no signs of injury and they are active and alert let them continue exploring. Do not feed them. This is a natural stage of development and they need try to start figuring things out on their own.

If you are unsure if a baby squirrel needs help snap a few pictures or a video and give us or another licensed rehabber a call. We can let you know if it’s safe to leave it. Thank you!

08/20/2025

Some days you are the fisherman, some days you are the fish 🐧

This young gull underwent a successful surgery this morning to remove a HUGE fishing hook from his GI. He was transferred to our hospital from our friends at Wild Care Cape Cod, who admitted him after someone noticed he had a bobber hanging out of his mouth. It’s likely that this gull thought he was getting an easy meal from a fisherman, and swallowed the bait along with the hook and tackle.

X-rays revealed that the hook was still firmly attached to the line in his mouth and the barbed tip had actually worked its way through the stomach lining and into the body cavity. Unlike us humans, birds have a solid “keel plate” in place of their sternum. This bone provides excellent protection for their internal organs (unless you happen to swallow a hook) and acts as scaffolding for their large flight muscles. It also makes surgeries like this one very difficult because it covers much of the stomach. You are essentially flying blind and hoping on a wing and a prayer you make the incision in the proper spot (all puns intended).

Lucky for us and the gull, Dr. Patel had just the tool for the job. She put our new veterinary endoscope to the test and was able get a visual on the hook’s location. This provided the landmark she needed for an incision, and quickly located the portion of the hook that had pushed through the stomach. From there we clipped and removed the hook, and carefully pulled the remaining line out through the mouth.

Within hours this gull was back on his feet and vocalizing. We held off on feeding him today while his stomach recovers, but he got fluids, antibiotics, and some pain medication to keep him comfortable. Once he regains his appetite and passes a flight test he will be released back to the wild!

Now, we’ll admit his species has us a little stumped. We were primarily focused on getting the hook out safely, and are now working on a definitive ID. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your guesses in the comments!

Lastly, we like to add some humor from time to time, but improperly discarded fishing gear is no laughing matter. We see quite a few patients every year who have ingested hooks or become tangled in discarded line. If you come across stray gear, help a bird out and dispose of it in the proper receptacle. It makes all the difference!