The Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital at Cornell University

02/05/2025

As you may be aware, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is currently circulating at high rates. The Swanson Wildlife Hospital has heightened biosecurity measures in place to test and isolate incoming animals and protect our hospitalized patients from becoming exposed. Sadly, we have observed first-hand many animals infected with this virus. Most are birds, however the virus can also infect mammals. As this is a frequent topic of conversation in the news and in the phone calls that we receive about sick wildlife, we wanted to share these basic guidelines:

1. Although the risk of the avian influenza virus infecting humans is low, if you handle a wild animal, use proper protection to ensure your safety. DO NOT touch any wild animal with your bare hands (this is true anytime, regardless of avian influenza). Always use gloves or something else (like a towel or blanket) to touch the animal, and ideally, wear a face mask. As you can see in this photo, when we are handling a suspect patient, we are wearing full personal protective equipment.

2. If you find a deceased animal, triple-bag it in plastic trash bags and dispose of it in an outdoor trash receptacle with a secure lid. Further information about reporting deceased wildlife in New York state can be found here (https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases), or you can call the NYS DEC hotline at 585-226-5380.

3. If you find a live animal that appears to be injured or sick, please call a local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife hospital. If you are securing and transporting the animal, it is advised to cover the box or container with a sheet or towel, place it as far to the back of the vehicle as possible away from people, wear a facemask and drive with the windows cracked to increase ventilation. Do not allow the animal to come into direct contact with people or pets.

01/31/2025

So proud of Daisy Dai, one of our many outstanding veterinary student technicians at the Swanson Wildlife Hospital!

01/24/2025

See photos of these two loons in the hospital in the comments. When loons accidentally land on a solid surface (mistaking it for water), they can sustain fractures, wounds, and other injuries. Thankfully these two had only minor scrapes and scratches, and could be returned to the water quickly!

01/21/2025

01/16/2025

Muskrats are uncommon patients at our hospital, so we are enjoying working with this young adult female. She presented with a large and deep infection involving her left eye and the surrounding tissues. Since muskrats are primarily nocturnal and have small eyes with relatively poor vision, she is expected to be releasable even though her left eye had to be removed. Once her infection is resolved and the surgical site is healed, she will need rehabilitation time to regrow fur at the site before she returns to her semiaquatic lifestyle.

01/06/2025

A few days ago we received a referral from our colleagues at The SPCA Serving Erie County, NY. This adult bald eagle was hit by a car and suffered severe traumatic injuries, including head trauma, a fractured jaw, and a fractured left wing. In critical condition upon arrival, she was given intravenous fluids, strong pain medications, and other life-saving care. Cornell veterinary ophthalmologists were able to evaluate her quickly, to make sure her vision was not permanently damaged (which would make her nonreleasable). Although there was blood in her eyes from the trauma, the prognosis for vision was good. She was then prepared for surgery, and the challenging wing fracture repair was performed. A feeding tube was placed so that we can provide nutrition while her jaw fracture is healing.

Now the long wait begins. It will take many weeks of healing, nursing care, recheck radiographs, and rehabilitation to know for sure if her muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones will heal well enough for her to be released and thrive in the wild. We will be making every effort to get her to this goal.

This eagle was banded in New York state as a nestling in 2008 and determined to be female. She is 17 years old.💛

12/28/2024

Wildlife health interns Dr. Jill Western (examining the foot of a Canada goose) and Dr. Emily McDermott (examining the eye of an eastern screech owl) are finishing up the 6th month of their one-year program. They work tirelessly, and with incredible compassion and enthusiasm, to care for our hospitalized patients and help them achieve the best outcome.

Sprinkled in with their time learning clinical wildlife medicine, they have participated in a diverse mix of field and wildlife pathology experiences with other Cornell wildlife experts, with more to come this winter and spring. They have certainly risen to the challenge of their busy internship and we are looking forward to seeing all that they do in the first few months of 2025!

12/23/2024

This juvenile bald eagle is fighting for his life after accidentally ingesting a lead bullet.

He was found down in Potsdam, NY, and local wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians worked together to determine there was a foreign metal object in the bird. They quickly transported him to the Swanson Wildlife Hospital, where we confirmed that there was a lead object in the stomach. Time was of the essence, as the large amount of lead being absorbed into the eagle's system was causing it to rapidly decline and become critically ill.

Lead is a poison, and when accidentally ingested by eagles and other wildlife, it is often deadly. Had this eagle not been in the caring and knowledgeable hands of local experts that knew what to do, he surely would have died. Alternatives to lead ammunition exist, and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is actively researching the impacts of lead on wildlife and currently offering rebates for the purchase of non-lead ammunition. https://huntersforeagleconservation.org/new-york/

As a soft metal, lead also fragments easily. Although the large part of the bullet was removed, two tinyfragments of lead remain in the gastrointestinal tract of this eagle. Despite their small size, it is still enough to make him sick. Over the coming days, we will continue to support him medically with the hope that the fragments will pass quickly, and he will make a full recovery.

See photos of a radiograph and of the bullet in the comments...

12/09/2024

This American toad was found on a hiking trail in Watkins Glen State Park in mid-November with a very large wound covering most of its back. Careful attention to managing the wound over the past few weeks has resulted in it healing beautifully. Throughout its hospital stay, the toad entertained us with its mission-impossible style poses in its enclosure. Maybe it thinks it is a tree frog? Regardless, the toad will need to spend the winter with a rehabilitator until suitable weather and habitat conditions return in the spring for release.

11/25/2024

It has been raining owls here in November - so far this month we have admitted 25 owls! Here are some photos of just a few of those patients, most of whom were hit by cars.

11/18/2024

This past weekend, while some of our dedicated staff stayed in Ithaca to care for the Wildlife Hospital (that is currently overflowing with raptors), the rest of us traveled to Corning, NY for the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Annual Conference. Every year we look forward to participating in this incredibly well-organized, educational, and entertaining event. It is so enjoyable to spend time with wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians who share our passion for helping wildlife - exchanging knowledge, strengthening relationships, and establishing new connections. Looking forward to next year already!

Photo 1: Dr. Cindy Hopf-Dennis (left) answers questions after her "Turtle Triage" lecture.
Photo 2: Niki Mitchell, LVT (left) provides guidance in the Basic Clinical Techniques laboratory.

11/05/2024

This past week we celebrated our very own Tina Hlywa, winner of the College of Veterinary Medicine's 2024 Dionne Henderson Staff Excellence Award which was presented by Dean Lorin Warnick, Hospital Director Meg Thompson, and Wildlife Hospital Team Leader Alice VanDeMark (a winner in 2022!). An exceptional licensed veterinary technician with decades of experience working with wildlife, Tina exhibits all of the characteristics highlighted by this award, including collaboration, compassion, and respect. Tina is a vital part of our team at the Swanson Wildlife Hospital, and we are proud and lucky to work with her. Congratulations Tina!🎉

10/30/2024

This handsome fellow has been working on his pumpkin carving - it is edible artwork! Wishing you a happy and safe Halloween. 🦇🦉🕷🎃

10/21/2024

*PATIENT UPDATE*

Actually, this is a TRIO of updates. Remember the three peregrine falcons from our post on August 28th? We are thrilled to report that all of them have been discharged to licensed wildlife rehabilitators to prepare for release back to the wild!

10/15/2024

This National Veterinary Technician Week, and every other day of the year, we are so thankful for our five veterinary technicians: Alice, Tina, Niki, Maia and Meghan. Their compassion, dedication and expertise in wildlife medicine ensure that our wild animal patients receive the very best care possible. To top it all off, they are all amazing humans and fantastic coworkers. Thank you for all that you do! 💙

10/04/2024

This adult red-tailed hawk was found down on the ground in Big Flats, NY in mid-September with a drooping left wing. Radiographs revealed a bullet near her left shoulder that was causing pain and inflammation. The bullet was surgically removed, in the hope that she will regain full normal function of the wing.

Since the bullet is soft and has deformed on entry into the bird, we know that this is a lead bullet. Lead is a toxic metal and commonly poisons wildlife if they accidentally ingest it. Additionally, shooting hawks is always illegal, as they are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

This hawk was lucky enough to survive being shot, and she will receive physical therapy and other supportive care and rehabilitation to get her back out into the wild.