Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana

02/22/2025

It’s National Wildlife Day! Today is a reminder of just how important it is to help preserve and protect our wildlife! We want to thank our veterinary staff and students at the LSU Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana. They provide medical care to over a 1000 injured wildlife patients every year as well as educate the community about Louisiana’s wildlife.

02/19/2025

Happy ! Today we’re introducing Ben K***z as one of our fundraising Co-Chairs!

“ Hi everyone! My name is Ben K***z and I am an incoming Senior Co-chair. I am very excited to step into the new position to be able to take on more responsibilities and help guide our team. I can’t wait to work with our team to continually improve our care for the birds. For the new year, I am looking forward to releasing birds back into the wild to be able to see our hard work come full circle!”

We’re so excited to have Ben on the team!

02/12/2025

Happy ! Today we’re introducing Mary Claire Stewart, who is also one of our new Raptor Head Co-Chairs!

“Hi everyone! I’m a second year from Helena, Arkansas and I’m interested in a career in wildlife medicine and conservation. I am so excited to serve as our Presentation Head Co-Chair! I love seeing people in the community get excited about conservation and learn more about how to protect our local wildlife. I can’t wait for another year working with this incredible program, welcome to our new Co-Chairs!”

We’re so happy to have Mary Claire on the team!

02/06/2025

Happy Thursday everyone! Today we are introducing one of our new Raptor Rehab Head Co-Chairs, Grace Miller!

“ Hello! My name is Grace Miller and I’m a second year here at LSU. I am so excited to be a Senior Co-Chair on this team, and can’t wait to work with our new team members! I am excited to continue building relationships with our new resident birds, and continue to rehabilitate and release raptor species in our area!”

We are so happy to have Grace be a part of our team!

02/01/2025

Thank you to everyone who came out to the LSU Vet School Open House today! Our Raptor Rehab team along with our ambassador birds were there to represent the Wildlife Hospital! And big thank you to everyone who donated, bought stickers, keychains, prints, and more! The proceeds will go directly to the Wildlife Hospital to support the veterinary care of injured wildlife!

01/21/2025

Cute snow bird alert! Our raptor residents got to experience some of the snowfall! (Marty, Dexter, Harry, Waffle, Bruce, and Shelly).

If you find an any injured wildlife, we still have people ready at the school to accept them. Stay safe and stay warm!

01/17/2025

Happy Friday everyone! This past Tuesday our Raptor Co-Chairs were invited St. George School to present to Cub Scouts! Shelly, Harry, and Waffle were so excited to teach about the wildlife in Louisiana!

01/09/2025

An adult bald eagle (suspected female) was presented to the LSU Vet Med Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana with a fractured coracoid bone (similar to the human c...

01/02/2025

12/26/2024

Which Raptor Resident made the Naughty and Nice List this year? The results may surprise you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Raptor Rehab Team at the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana!

12/13/2024

🚨 𝗛𝟱𝗡𝟭 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗮 (𝗛𝗣𝗔𝗜) 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is once again impacting wild birds in Louisiana due to this year’s fall migrations. LDWF urges vigilance as HPAI-induced waterfowl disease resurges in the state.

🦆 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄:
▪ Geese and waterfowl are particularly susceptible, with some birds showing neurological symptoms before succumbing to the disease.
▪ Raptors, like vultures, are also at risk when scavenging infected birds.
▪ While rare, mammals such as dogs, cats, foxes, and even dolphins can be infected. Louisiana has reported 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, but avoid contact between pets and sick birds.
▪ This strain poses 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗱.

🐦 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
▪ Avoid bringing potentially infected birds into facilities or homes.
▪ Clean clothing, gear, and other items thoroughly after contact with birds.
▪ Never consume birds showing signs of disease or found dead.

📞 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀:
If you observe sick or dead birds, contact your regional LDWF office:
▪ Hammond: 985-543-4777
▪ Lake Charles: 337-491-2575
▪ Lafayette: 337-262-2080
▪ Minden: 318-371-3050
▪ Monroe: 318-343-4044
▪ Pineville: 318-487-5885

🌐 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗣𝗔𝗜:
CDC: https://buff.ly/3ZypJn5
USFWS: fws.gov/avian-influenza

12/04/2024

Today is and we are happy to report we have helped over 1200 patients so far this year! The LSU Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana is so proud to serve our community by providing veterinary care to Louisiana's wildlife. Thank you so much for your support!

Our hospital is entirely funded by donations from the public, so if you would like to help conserve Louisiana's wildlife and support the veterinary care we provide to our patients, please feel free to make a donation on our webpage! https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/veterinary_hospital/wildlife.php

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from the LSU Raptor Rehab Team!

11/12/2024

This female Eastern Box Turtle presented to our hospital with an amputated left leg and shell fracture. While we are unsure how this patient lost its leg, the X-Rays indicate no internal damage. Veterinary Student Kamryn McKeithen has been cleaning the wound and applying a fresh bandage every day to assist the healing process!

11/08/2024

LSU SVM Communications Manager Ginger Guttner, Raptor Co-Chair Alec Filson, and Raptor Resident Shelly were spotlighted today on WAFB's "Java Talk" segment. Take a look!

https://www.wafb.com/video/2024/11/05/wildlife-rehabilitation-lsu-vet-school/

11/05/2024

Introducing our newest Raptor Resident, Dexter!

Dexter is a Red-Morph Eastern Screech Owl. His left wing was injured and required amputation at the level of his elbow joint. Dexter recovered quickly from his surgery with no complications and now enjoys life at our Raptor Facility. Dexter loves training with the Raptor Rehab Team and has even attended our Raptor Rehab Presentations. Dexter's primary trainer is Raptor Co-Chair Chelsea Duplantis! We are so happy to have you on the team, Dexter!

If you would like to meet Dexter or any of our other residents at a Raptor Presentation, please email the Raptor Rehab Team at [email protected]

11/02/2024

A Virginia Opossum presented to our hospital very lethargic with severe abdominal distension. Abdominal Ultrasound revealed abdominal free fluid and uterine distension. Bloodwork also indicated anemia and sepsis.

Our team initiated IV fluid therapy with antibiotics and Vitamin B12 to support regeneration of the Opossum's red blood cells and stabilize her for emergency surgery.

Dr. Bakalis and veterinary student Mary Russell surgically removed the infected ovaries, uterine tubes, and vaginal bodies. The unique anatomy of the Opossum makes reproductive surgery very challenging. (Future) Dr. Russell was placed in charge of the patient's continued care while her surgical incision healed. After 14 days of hospitalization and a clean bill of health, the Opossum was released back into the wild!

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from the Raptor Rehab Team!