Monthly Archives: December 2017

Eastern Box turtle

Eastern Box turtle was being offered to anyone that would take her on a street in downtown Roanoke. Our volunteer quickly adopted the turtle and brought her to the center. Sadly, this turtle’s shell is damaged and we don’t know where her home is, making this turtle unreleasable. She will become an education animal. Hopefully, her story will help teach the public why removing animals from nature is not only bad for wildlife but also for us. In addition, the graffiti placed on her shell will effect her health and cannot be scrubbed off! Please be an advocate for wildlife and help them stay in wild healthy habitats.

Earliest spring babies

It is December 17th, and two-three week old squirrels were found after a tree was cut down in Lexington, Virginia. Thanks to Lisa K., who drove over 2 hours to transport them to the center. These are either the latest fall or earliest spring babies we have received in 18 years of rehabilitation! There will not be any hibernation for our staff this winter.

Steel Dynamics

We wish to thank Steel Dynamics in Roanoke for calling the center about an injured Barred Owl located on a train car in the yard. Their keen eyes noticed the owl on a train car full of scrap metal. I was so impressed with the concern they showed about the owl. Swvawildlifecenter.org #swvawildlifecenter

Barred Owl

This Barred Owl was brought to the center earlier today after being found on the roadside, suffering from eye trauma, internal bleeding, and an air sac injury. This species seems to mate for life and are homebodies in comparison to other owls, generally prefer to be sedentary in their home range. This patient is stable for now but is still in critical care and will need all the help he can get to recover. swvawildlifecenter.org #swvawildlifecenter #barredowl

American Robin

This American Robin was found in Christiansburg and was able to be easily picked up by the rescuer. The eye you see in this picture is perfectly fine, but the eye on the other side is damaged and she is suffering from head trauma, probably from hitting a window. In addition, she was emaciated, extremely dehydrated, and would’ve probably died that night if people hadn’t rescued her. With treatment, she has started to be more active and perky, but the prognosis is still guarded on this little one due to her being on death’s door at admission. We’re hoping for the best!

Eastern Screech-Owl

Here’s a fun #factfriday! Eastern Screech-Owls and a kind of snake known as a “blind snake” seem to act symbiotically in some areas of the U.S.! Occasionally the snakes are fed to chicks—like this baby we rehabbed and released this year—as a meal. But often times the snake isn’t eaten and manages to live in the nest cavity. While there, the snake receives shelter and easy meals by eating parasitic insects harmful to the owlets! A study done by Baylor University found that chicks raised in nests with blind snakes in them grew faster, were healthier, and the nests were cleaner than those without blind snakes! swvawildlifecenter.org #swvawildlifecenter #easternscreechowl