North Country Wild Care

24/07/2024

So proud of our amazing raptor rehabbers!! Wildlife Rehabilitator and Hotline staffer Sigrid Brewary Wallace made the news this week for a soggy owl rescue. This one ended quite well with this Great Horned Owl returning to the wild!

Huge shout out to the team that helped this young owl, great job Saratoga Spa State Park finders and NCWC members Siggy, Trish & Cara! 🙌🦉🙌

23/07/2024

Another batch of feisty ones! These Green Herons were orphaned when their nest was destroyed in last week’s storms and they couldn’t be reunited. Thankfully they’re in good hands and eating well, although they could use some work on their manners!😆💗

21/07/2024

This feisty porcupette (baby porcupine) does not want to give up syringe feeding just yet and refuses to lap up her formula…don’t fret, a little longer and she’ll get there!!
(Turn on the volume!)

19/07/2024

This very unique little one came in this week through the hotline. This albino/leucitic fledling was found in the road in distress and transported to one of our member songbird rehabilitators.

He/she does have pinkish eyes that is more in line with albinism, but it’s hard to say 100% until they develop a little more.

It also makes identifying this one a little trickier, so what’s your best guess?? 🐥😁

18/07/2024

🦉🌿 Attention, Wildlife Lovers! 🌿🦉

We have an important announcement for all wildlife enthusiasts and aspiring wildlife rehabilitators! 🦊🐢

📅 Date of Exam: August 9th, 2024
⏰ Deadline to Register: August 7th, 2024

New York State is in urgent need of more dedicated wildlife rehabilitators to help care for our precious wildlife. If you have a passion for helping injured and orphaned animals, this is your chance to make a real difference! 🌳❤️

Become a certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and join a network of compassionate individuals working to protect and rehabilitate our native species.

For more details on how to register and prepare for the exam, visit
https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/fish-wildlife-plant/special-licenses/wildlife-rehabilitator?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3tWko0pGuJTBQhIjZUts86elaM6ccvMwTa-VTTRfH9Wekg_MSb4JXWeFI_aem_UILXcApQA-0az-znKD1XvA

Let's work together to ensure a brighter future for our wildlife! 🦅🦨

Drop a comment below and let us know that you registered!

17/07/2024

This poor porcupine was found last week with a plastic jar stuck over its head. It must have been on there for some time since he/she was emaciated.

Thankfully member rehabber team Diane and John were able to carefully get the jar removed. They said she’s been eating every single thing they give her, natural foods like beech and maple branches/leaves along with supplemental food and is responding well.

Once back to a normal weight she’ll be released in her/his home territory!

16/07/2024

One of many rescues by our volunteers this weekend, this one was another bird severely tangled in fishing line. Thankfully Amy has become quite experienced wrangling waterfowl and was able to help this Canada Goose!

The fishing line was tangled around the legs and wing, but thankfully not so tight as to cause injury - but inhibiting the ability to swim or fly. Please do not leave broken fishing line in trees and water, inevetibly wildlife gets caught in it.

Thanks to the callers for sharing these images, especially the one of the goose walking away as a freeeeee bird!!!!

15/07/2024

This baby bobcat came to us a little over a month ago, she was found in the middle of the road, alone. Weighing in at about 2lbs. She was checked out by the wonderful vets at the Cornell Wildlife Hospital in Ithaca and despite being a little thin, she was otherwise healthy. She is doing well, eating, growing and best of all she is feisty! She is now big enough for a larger enclosure where she can work on climbing and getting stronger so she can eventually be released. We will be transferring her to another rehabber with caging that better fits her needs soon, watch here for updates!

13/07/2024

A fledgling Kestrel came into care this week with a broken wing and injured leg.

Two of our longtime raptor rehabbers, Heather & Cara, will do everything to help our smallest falcon in North America.

There’s a disturbing trend for the American Kestrels, whose population has decreased by 50% since the 1970’s, with the fasted rate of decline being in the East. Researchers are working hard to identify the cause, but there’s no apparent “smoking gun”, it’s more likely a perfect storm situation of the usual culprits of pesticides, rodenticides, habitat loss, etc.

Kestrels are cavity dwellers and do well with nest boxes, so if you have the right conditions, consider putting up a Kestrel nest box - wouldn’t that be something special to watch in the spring!!😊

https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/american-kestrel/

11/07/2024

This poor juvenile Barred owl was found tangled up in a badminton net. Probably would not have survived the storms that came right after being rescued. Had the netting wrapped around one wing and around one leg.

But injuries are not severe and prognosis is good!

09/07/2024

Our hotline is malfunctioning this morning, we are not getting messages, if you don't reach us please try ahnow.org for alternatives

Animal Help Now provides the best wildlife 911 app and helps humans be better neighbors to wildlife. The nonprofit serves the entire United States.

08/07/2024

Here’s some fun for the day - an update on Macintosh the River Otter!

That little ball of energy will eat about 15-25% of his bodyweight a day, so over 2 pounds of food! Their metabolism is crazy. A huge variety of fish (the majority of his diet) and other foods like frog legs, crayfish, shrimp, beef, bones, chicken, duck.

NOTE TO FISHERMEN IN OUR AREA:

If you’re in the Saratoga/Fort Edward area and would like to donate locally caught trout, please send us a direct message. Trout is preferred, but some other fish could also work (not carp). Thank you!!

04/07/2024

a great story for the 4th!!

This image is a juvenile Bald Eagle that we received a call about this week.
We don’t want to burst the majestic bald eagle impressions we all have, but juvenile eagles are not known for their early flight skills! In the early stages, they will do a lot of awkward branching (think middle school dodgeball!), which means practicing flight jumps from branch to branch and trying to get the hang of it before they can actually fly. They very often end up on the ground, and can sustain injuries from hitting branches on the way down. With that incredible long wingspan it takes a while to learn how to manage them! But eventually, they become the soaring elegant birds that we all love to catch a glimpse of when we’re lucky.

Thankfully, this juvenile was assessed and had no injuries, and was able to be returned to the nest!

What a great way to celebrate the 4th!

01/07/2024

We are all set, thank you!

TRANSPORT NEEDED
Juvenile eagle from saratoga to Cornell Wildlife Hospital in Ithaca tomorrow am is preferable, pls call hotline if you can help 518.964.6740

30/06/2024

As you know, we post a lot about animals that are reunited with their parents. Tom & Andrias dog had brought them a week old baby bunny🐇. They did not know where the nest was at that time. They were able to bring it to a member rehabber Friday night. When Tom got home he realized the dog had found the nest in their yard along with 2 other bunnies. The member instructed them on how to cover the nest so the babies would be safe but mom could still get in. They agreed to keep their dog away for a few weeks. They put the bunnies back in the nest and were advised to check on them in the morning. They let the rehabber know the next morning that the babies had nice full bellies. The rehabber decided it was worth reuniting the single baby back with its siblings. It's not often that we give animals back to their finders but in this case, it was the best thing to do. Mom was doing a great job feeding the babies and the finders were ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure these babies get a chance at a happy bunny life. Bunnies are on their own in 3-4 weeks, it might seem like a pain to keep your animals away but it's often the best option. Had these babies come into care perfectly healthy it would have taken up space for bunnies that actually needed care and had injuries. A huge❗️ THANK YOU❗️ to Tom and Andria for going above and beyond for wildlife. 🐇🐇🐇💚

29/06/2024

Miracles do happen🦊! We want to share an amazing story that shows sometimes it take a village to save wildlife from one of our member rehabbers over at Critter’s Caretaker . After a challenging two months, It took the dedication of 7 amazing individuals to catch and rescue these sick fox kits whose parents tragically succumbed to mange. These little kits were in dire need of help and thanks to the tireless efforts of these heroes, they are on their way to receiving the care they need.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in this rescue mission: Jessica, Mike, Stephanie, CT, Brandi, Sydney & North Country Wild Care Transporter James. Your commitment and compassion have truly made a difference in their life.

Mange is a death sentence within 4-6 months if left untreated. It's not easy but IT CAN BE CURED! Once they were in Victorias care she had another member rehabber Paula S. who also rehabs fox come over and helped give them a medicated bath & their first does of medicine. We are very hopeful for a full recovery.

Drop a 🧡 for them in the comments.

28/06/2024

Porcupine antics! This little porcupette was let out for some exercise today. She crawled inside the birdcage and had some fun exploring. Hmmm…might make a great jungle gym for her!🤣

24/06/2024

It was a very busy weekend for our member cottontail rehabilitators. Lots of bunnies were successfully released back to the wild. Bunny season is from April-September and mommas can have 2-4 litters with up to 8 babies!🤯 On average each cottontail cost about $40 to rehab from intake to release.
If you’d like to donate ⬇️
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CX9KAQTFUGH9Y&ssrt=1719228379207
Or
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

22/06/2024

Curious what it's like to rehab bunnies?? Baby bunnies are one of our most common intakes, and there is always need for more rabbit rehabbers. Come learn some bunny basics, feeding, housing, common ailments, and hear tips from other bunny rehabbers. This is a free class offered to NCWC members as well as to the general public. Come see if bunny rehabilitation may be right for you!

NOTE: In order to take in and rehabilitate wildlife, you do need your general NYS wildlife rehabilitator license. This class is for current licensed rehabbers and those interested in getting their license in the future.

12:30 - 2PM, Sunday, June 23 in Ft. Edward (address will be provided upon registration as it is a residential address). A small amount of rehabilitation supplies will also be available.

REGISTER HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUMNFVDNHXYRysxkPUQ0IHBpT1B2-ovY6ZrrDzLUCA7L5v9g/viewform

21/06/2024

(we totally just made up that hashtag😂)
Here are some of the many fawn in our member rehabbers care. They are all outside in the pre release pen where they will stay until release in September! Doesn’t get much cuter than fawn😍

20/06/2024

PSA
We are currently innundated with baby bird calls! Special Licensing is required to rehab migratory birds and as a result, we only have a handful of rehabbers who take them. Our baby bird rehabbers are currently at capacity (some have more than 20)! While 20 may not seem like a lot, they eat every 30 minutes from dawn until dusk!

As a result, if you call looking for a songbird rehabber, we may suggest you try some alternative resources:

Please look on the DEC wildlife rehabilitator site and look for other local rehabbers who rehab "Passerines" (aka songbirds). Another resource is animal help now, type in where you are and choose wildlife issue, it will populate a list of local rehabbers, look for rehabbers who take passerines or songbirds.

We currently have 2 types of baby birds out there..

nestlings: they have little or no feathers and cannot control their body temperature. Please place them in a small container, line it with toilet paper and place it on a heating pad on low.

Fledglings: baby birds who have feathers, if you.look closely, they usually have some fuzzy feathers sticking out and their tail feathers are short still, those birds have jumped out of the nest but cannot fly, they spend a week to 10 days on the ground, learning how to be big birds and the parents are tending to them while they are on the ground. They can often be found sitting (on a deck or railing, etc.) for long periods of time (learning how to be a big bird is exhausting work!). They also can be found hopping around, if you have to chase them to catch them or if adult birds are voicing their discontent, they likely do not need your help.

Please be sure you are not kidnapping them! feel free to call our hotline with questions (a photo is always helpful too!) Thank you for caring about them!

19/06/2024

A second orphaned beaver!

This baby was found all alone, far from water, dehydrated, with ears full of ticks.

After a brief quarantine to make sure she was back to health, she was able to be introduced to “Bo”, another orphan that came to one of our rehabbers a few weeks ago, which is so great for both of their development!

It’s very difficult to tell at this age what gender either of them are, even Cornell could not gender the younger beaver without doing unnecessary radiographs.

If they turn out to be opposite genders, they will be mates for life, and released together in two years.

If they end up being the same gender, they will have to be separated as they reach sexual maturity, or else they will most likely fight viciously and could harm each other. in that case, hopefully other appropriate mates to be released with can be found.

18/06/2024

Another porcupette (baby porcupine) getting cleaned up. Sadly mother was hit by a car, but this little one is now in good hands!

17/06/2024

Bandage change and PT for this little Red-Tailed Hawk this weekend. She either fell or was pushed from the nest and ended up on the ground with a broken wing. After the break heals she’ll head to the flight cage. A long summer of rehab!

(Sometimes leather gloves are not an option to have the dexterity needed to handle a raptor during bandaging, so experienced rehabbers/handlers help one another every week!)

16/06/2024

URGENT TRANSPORT NEEDED TO CORNELL WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IN ITHACA FROM SARATOGA ON SUNDAY, PLEASE CALL OUR HOTLINE 518.964.6740 IF YOU CAN HELP

14/06/2024

This Barred Owl was ready to go! He came into care with a broken wing after being hit by a car and thankfully made a full recovery. He could not get out of that carrier any faster and did not look back! (as it should be!!)

12/06/2024

Just as one batch of Cottontails are released the next set of injured or orphaned are coming in. It’s a revolving door all summer since Cottontail Rabbits can have on average 3-4 litters per year, and up to 7 in a warm year!

There are many ways to assess if a small rabbit needs to come into rehab, the mothers do not stay with them all day (as a means of protecting them from predators) and there are ways to protect a nest for a few weeks until they’re gone!

10/06/2024

This chipmunk was found entangled in blueberry netting. Thanks to one of our volunteers, Bridgette, he was detangled and sent on his way...blueberry still in hand! 😆

08/06/2024

This sweet little fawn was attacked by a predator, resulting in head trama & having neurologic symptoms. But she is getting stronger each day!