Raptor Center of Tampa Bay

03/27/2025

We have admitted a very young neonatal raccoon this evening, who is believed to be only one or two days old. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding its arrival at the veterinary clinic are unknown. To provide the best possible care, we have set up a temporary incubator, equipped with a heating pad, a piece of genuine fur from a garment, and a simulated heartbeat. Plans are currently underway to transfer the raccoon to a raccoon rehabilitation expert tomorrow.

03/26/2025

We will be participating in the world oceans day. As part of our commitment to Ocean Conservation, we were happy to be invited along. Mark your calendars and come to the Clearwater marine aquarium to world oceans day. .

03/26/2025

It has been a 7 barred owl day at the raptor center. We renested 2 in East Lake Wales tonight. Look for those pictures tomorrow. We got 1 barred owlete from Hardee County. We got one adult from a good Samaritan, whose dad lives in Litha. Then we got a call from a lady who had two owls on the ground yesterday and one of them was dead this morning and she called us at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Selena quickly ran over there and was able to rescue the 1 remaining live owl. Although we believe it will recover it is in guarded condition. We then had a gentleman from Plant City bring us 1 baby Barred owl. We will have a Volunteer go over tomorrow where it came from and see if we can find the parents and put this one back up. The last Rescue of the evening was made by this family in Lakeland, who drove 1 owl to us tonight. We will have it x-rayed in the morning. It is in guarded condition . 

03/26/2025

This evening, we received another female opossum, rescued by Polk County animal control after a dog attack. One of her babies, also injured, is still alive and nursing, providing hope for a positive outcome. We are grateful to Polk County animal control for bringing her closer and Becky Willis for completing the transport. .

03/26/2025

There is this young squirrel at veterinarian emergency group North, which is on the corner of Bearss & Florida. If anyone could pick it up and bring it out to Brandon, we would greatly appreciate it if you could do this. Text Nancy at 8132051851

03/25/2025

The day before yesterday, a little barred owl fell from the tree to the ground. He was brought in for evaluation and checked out fine. As we were making arrangements yesterday to have Mike and Heidi re-nest them the second owlet came down. The tree had been damaged during the hurricanes. the owls were just in the top of an oak tree where a branch had broken. Right now as I am typing this text mike and Heidi are fixing that tree, installing this box you see them with and Heidi are going to put the babies back up with mom and dad. They have done this many times and they know what behavior to look for with the parents. If you would like to make donations to help put the babies back in the trees, we will share your donations with mike and Heidi. They operate a nonprofit and do not charge for their services. Donations can be made through a variety of electronic platforms. Our name is the raptor center of Tampa Bay. Our phone number is 813-205-1851. .

03/25/2025

On December 30, we received a call from Michelle who has rescued several birds and brought them to us. I was not available and so the opossum was taken to Blue Pearl. They x-rayed him and came back to me with the x-rays. He had a broken jaw and asked if we would rehabilitate it. We were more than happy to do that, and we are over joyed to tell you that that the boy was released back in the wild today. His mouth works absolutely fine. Godspeed little buddy. We are so glad we could help you on your life's journey.

03/25/2025

Thank you to Odem's tree service from the raptor center of Tampa Bay. So tragic that so many of our animals get caught up in fishing line. I don't know the fate of the second eagle but we know that one of them died. This was from someone's carelessly cutting the line leaving fishing line out it is extremely important that when you're in the environment if you see fishing line that you pick it up everywhere. This baby paid the ultimate price .

03/25/2025

We always love working with Polk County sheriff's office!

On Sunday evening, March 23rd at about 11:oo, PCSO deputies were dispatched to a property in Mulberry regarding a wildlife concern.

The caller said that he was inside of his camper when he heard a strange scratching noise outside, and decided to go investigate.

What he found was a bald eagle on a post, and it appeared to have an injured wing.

PCSO deputies arrived and assessed the situation.

Contact was made with the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, and they sent volunteers Michelle Potts and Carlos Martinez to pick up the big bird.

Deputies remained on scene until the Raptor Center volunteers arrived, to make sure the eagle didn’t escape into the woods.

The Raptor Center reps arrived and took custody of our fine feathered friend. Their evaluation determined that the eagle suffered a fractured wing, so the bird will be transferred to Maitland to rehab there, and it will eventually be brought back to Mulberry to be released when it's well enough.

Sgt. Thomas dubbed this rescue “Operation: Saving Freedom.”

By the way, the concerned citizen in the camper who called to report the eagle’s condition is (we’re being completely serious about this) Andrew Johnson.
That’s right…just like the 17th President of the United States. USA! USA! USA!

Raptor Center of Tampa Bay

03/25/2025

Early morning initiatives are already underway. Michele Potts, who played a crucial role in rescuing the eagle in Bartow, arrived before sunrise this morning and has successfully transported the eagle to Audubon. A concerned citizen discovered a rabbit on his front doorstep, which appeared to be unwell. Following our assessment, he promptly brought it to us. Additionally, we received a grackle that had been brought in by a cat. As a precautionary measure, all birds that have come into contact with a cat's mouth are administered antibiotics to ensure their survival. The individual who found the bird promptly arranged for her husband to transport it to us. Furthermore, Linda Harrah, one of our dedicated volunteers, transported five baby opossums from the previous night, along with the grackle and the rabbit, to our partner rehabilitators in Saint Petersburg. Louise Roy is checking up on a pair of eaglets as part of the Eagle Watch program. Being in an artificial structure is risky! The platform has shifted and part of the nest is sliding off. Louise will continue to monitor the Eagle as they are still too young to fly. Our organization is a part of a collaborating network of wildlife rehabilitators working together to provide care and support for animals in need.

03/25/2025

Roger to the rescue! A homeowner reached out to us about a barred owl trapped in their pool enclosure. Roger responded, successfully capturing and evaluating the bird. As it turned out, the owl was in good health, so he released it outside, where it promptly flew into a tree for a nap.

03/25/2025

We experienced a highly eventful day, with the arrival of another Eagle and five baby opossums. Additionally, a barred owl was admitted with a badly broken wing. Regrettably, a laughing gull presented with a severe compound fracture, necessitating a swift and humane end. The most compassionate course of action for both birds was a rapid trip to Heaven. 

03/25/2025

Update: Michele Potts who helped rescue the Eagle will be leaving before the sun comes up with the Eagles heading to Maitland . Two bald eagles are being transferred to the Audubon center for Birds Of Prey in Maitland Florida tomorrow. The birds are presently in Brandon and are housed in separate crates that require an SUV. A sedan will not accommodate them. Please text Nancy at 813-205-1851 if you can provide support for this trip

03/24/2025

We received a call this morning from Sawgrass Park in Pinellas County that there was an eagle on the ground. The eagle was rescued by Ed with Birds In Helping Hands and transported by Louise. This is another sub-adult. After radiographs, we do not see any fractures, but the bird has been beaten up pretty bad. We will be transferring this Eagle along with the Eagle from last night to Audubon in the morning. They are the experts in Eagle care and we're happy that they are able to take them. . .

03/24/2025

We wish to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Clayton and the Polk County deputies, who played a vital role in rescuing the eagle at 12:30 last night. Carlos from our team and Michele were both present and, through their collective efforts, successfully corralled the eagle into a secure location, enabling Carlos to retrieve it. The eagle has sustained a fractured wing, which we anticipate will heal with bandaging and physical therapy. In light of Audubon's expertise, we plan to transfer the bird to their care tomorrow. .

03/24/2025

A late-night rescue was conducted. Clayton, a Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy, contacted us around midnight concerning a distressed bald eagle in Bartow. Michele Potts and Carlos promptly responded and successfully rescued the bird in the dark. The teamwork was impressive. Carlos subsequently drove the eagle to Brandon for evaluation. The initial examination did not reveal any obvious injuries. It is estimated that the eagle will turn five this year. Given the positioning of the eagle's right wing during rescue, further diagnostic imaging is scheduled to take place later today.

03/23/2025

Update transportation found thanks to Alie ; This barred owl was rescued by a good Samaritan and taken to Blue Pearl in Tampa. If you can assist by picking the Bird up there and bringing it to us in Brandon, please text Nancy at 813-205-1851. .

03/23/2025

Did you know that at the raptor center of Tampa Bay our mission is to save the planet? We do a puppet show called "I can save the planet" where we encourage children, of all ages, to join us in this mission. The puppet show has 14 native animals that tell their story of how you can help them and in turn save the planet. We attended the fundraiser for the Avian Reconditioning Center's Renaissance fair yesterday. We brought along some of the animals in the story. This actually allows us to talk a little bit about that plight that Animal is experiencing to people spontaneously.
The crow talks about shooting birds and cruelty to animals, the skunk talks about the importance of not using pesticides, as it is killing all of their food supply, and the Manatee, which represents pollution in our waterways and reduction of seagrass, which is their main food supply. If you would like to bring the puppet show to your school, church, library or other event, contact us! You can do that in the comments on this post. Or you can always send us a message. .