If you give a squirrel a cookie…Each day we receive a variety of calls and we never know where they might lead. While many make us smile or laugh, some are emotional. These calls remind us that behind every rescue is a person who stopped what they were doing to help an animal in need. That gives us hope.
On August 22, 2025, an adult female Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was brought to the center by a good Samaritan after being found grounded and unable to fly in Los Angeles.
The reality of working at a wildlife hospital is, despite our best efforts, some animals don’t recover. In these cases, they may be held or necropsied to assist with law enforcement investigations, determine their cause of death, or be preserved for research
Every Spring brings hundreds of young animals to our center in need of care. They come to us for a variety of reasons including losing their mother, being injured, or being ill. One of the first species we see in the Spring is the Mourning Dove. These quiet little birds are a common visitor to many urban backyards and are known for their tell-tale cooing that is reminiscent of a sorrowful call.
Glue traps are devices designed to kill rodents and other pests. They come in a variety of sizes and consist of a flat surface covered in non-drying, non-toxic glue. They are marketed as an effective and clean option for removing pests from your home.
You have surely heard, if not seen, a Northern Mockingbird in your area. They can be heard serenading at any time of the day and night and can mimic hundreds of noises. This small gray bird with white patches on their wings and long tail feathers, can be found in grasslands, wooded areas, or in your backyard.
By: Dr. Guthrum Purdin, Veterinarian
The animals who are brought to wildlife rehabilitation centers represent a myriad of species, each having unique biological and behavioral needs. Successfully treating an animal who may have been dying when they arrived requires a deep understanding of what that particular individual needs, and how their condition is affected by species-specific variables. Very little medical research has been done on treating wildlife, so rehabilitators need to make themselves keen observers and experts on the animals they handle. Often, new therapies and treatment strategies are created by individuals working in the terra incognita of wild animal care.
Many years ago, when my wife and I were finishing our undergraduate classes prior to attending veterinary school, we were co-directors of animal care here at the California Wildlife Center, just a few years after it first opened. I remember one case from this period that needed us to be especially creative in order to help a female Mallard who arrived in dire condition.
Duck boot – photo credit by Dr. Rebecca Duerr
The Mallard had been seen by a regular dog & cat veterinary office for an injured leg before transfer to CWC. That vet had put a splint on the leg that would have been fine for a dog, but the duck was having a lot of trouble. On arrival, she was tumbling over & over as she tried to stand, failed, fell over, and panicked again and again. We removed the leg wrap and found a bone called the tarsometatarsus (TMT) was broken very close to the foot. This bone is below the hock (the hock is the joint equivalent to a human ankle but looks like a backward facing knee when ducks are waddling around). It’s normal for mammals to include the joints above and below a bone fracture into a splint to stabilize the break. However, with most birds, such wraps make normal walking impossible and wild animals quickly start to panic. Plus, birds will heal fractures quicker, with less risk to surrounding joints, if they can use the leg normally. For a broken TMT, we usually apply stiff padded splints to one or two sides of the bone. This can be enough for a hawk or a songbird. For this duck, it was not enough— she was folding the foot under the leg, standing with her foot upside down. We had to put our thinking caps on for this one! The solution we came up with was to make a “shoe” of stiff material (like the firm closed-cell foam used in certain food packaging) cut in the shape of the foot, padded, and taped on, plus we cut metal paperclips, bending them to match the angle of the TMT where it meets the foot, wrapped them in padding, and taped the whole rig in place. Voila! The first “duck boot” was made. The female Mallard could now put her weight comfortably on the leg, walking easily and confidently—without panicking.
Duck boot splint – photo credit by Dr. Guthrum Purdin
But wait! I didn’t mention she had ducklings with her. A broken leg like hers usually means the bird is “dry docked” for a while, kept out of water so the splint and wrap can stay dry. But with her babies in tow, she would need to be able to get into and out of a shallow pool of water. The answer was using a kind of plastic tape that maintained its stickiness in the water, giving her a waterproof boot. With a good diet, medication for pain and inflammation, plus a quiet, peaceful enclosure to heal in, this Mallard was able to resolve the fracture, take care of her ducklings, and they were all released together back into the wild.
Since then, we’ve used this splint dozens of times, taught its use at rehabilitation conferences and veterinary schools, and it has been included in a couple textbooks. This is not a unique story. Wildlife rehabilitators, from highly trained veterinarians to deeply committed volunteers with no formal education, have come up with many of the crucial treatment modalities used around the world for countless injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals who, without their caregiver’s dedication and determination, would not have survived. These techniques are shared and refined amidst the rehabilitation community and will benefit distressed wild animals for generations to come. Every time I go to a conference, open a journal, or sit down to dinner with a colleague, I never know what new ideas and innovations will be revealed!
Ducklings – photo credit by Dr. Guthrum Purdin
By: Cori Carlson, Administrative Coordinator
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owls, as their name implies, mostly live in underground burrows dug by other animals such as ground squirrels or gophers. These small brown and white owls have long legs and yellow eyes. While CWC has admitted eighty owls so far this year, only two have been Burrowing Owls.
In mid-October, a finder brought in an injured Burrowing Owl who was suffering from head trauma. When initially admitted, the owl was lethargic, unresponsive to visual stimuli, moderately dehydrated and had a poor appetite. After three days with fluids, anti-inflammatories and pain medication, the patient began to appear brighter, perching and eating on their own. When the hospital staff performed additional tests, they found the owl was experiencing temporary blindness as a result of the head trauma. Over the next week, the patient’s condition improved with medication and cage rest.
While most owl species hunt at night, the Burrowing Owl hunts during the day and night. They live in open areas with minimal vegetation and are most often found on the ground or on low branches where they do most of their hunting. Their diet includes insects, lizards, small birds and rodents.
After 12 days in care, the patient was moved to an outdoor enclosure and immediately flew to the highest perch. The owl then flew a few laps around the enclosure. This remarkable Burrowing Owl will continue to be monitored outside for about two weeks while they strengthen their flight muscles before returning to the wild.
By Jenn Guess, Hospital Manager
Hatchling Acorn Woodpeckers admitted to CWC after branch was trimmed from tree
Trees are essential to our environment in many ways. They absorb and store carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gases, and are a primary source of oxygen production. Roots help bind the soil preventing erosion, and some varieties of trees even improve soil by making it more fertile for plant growth. One of the most important aspects of trees is their role in supporting wildlife by providing habitat, food, shelter, and nesting sites for a wide variety of species. For example, Acorn Woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities in trees to raise their young and reuse these nest holes for many years. Western Gray Squirrels build compact ball-shaped nests on sturdy branches high in the trees, typically in the canopy. Hummingbirds are known for their tiny and intricate nests made from plant material and spider webs. These golf ball sized creations can be found in well-concealed spots in trees and shrubs.
At CWC we recommend planting native plants to help support wildlife in your neighborhood. In the wild, vegetation is only limited by resources and each species’ genetics. When trees grow near human development, trimming and maintenance is often needed to keep plants healthy and man made structures safe.
Tree trimming serves several vital purposes, making it an essential aspect of tree care. It removes excessive dead branches, allowing the tree to allocate nutrients towards growth. Trimming also removes diseased limbs, which prevents the spread of infection and promotes overall tree health. Overgrown branches can also pose a significant risk to people and property, but regular trimming ensures that branches do not grow too close to buildings, power lines, or roadways.
Tree squirrel nest in tree
Selecting the appropriate time of year to trim trees is critical for protecting native wildlife. Here at CWC we often see the detrimental aftermath of tree trimming gone wrong. Each spring, summer, and fall we admit hundreds of orphaned animals due to people cutting down and/or destroying nests. Tree trimmers can also permanently scare away bird parents if they disturb or linger around a nest for too long. December is the ideal month to trim because many tree species are dormant, they lack leaves allowing for a clearer view of the tree’s structure, and it is the time of year in which it is least likely to disturb an active nest. Most birds tend to nest between February and August, although some species like hummingbirds, doves, and pigeons have been known to nest year-round in Southern California. Tree squirrels can mate twice a year and usually have active nests between January through April and July through October. Historically these time frames were more consistent but shifts in climate conditions have made these nesting periods slightly unpredictable.
Before starting a tree trimming project, it is always advisable to consult a local wildlife expert, arborist, and/or conservation organization to understand the specific needs of the wildlife in the area. Prior to trimming, inspect the tree carefully for active nests. Young animals will often become quiet and stay still if they feel threatened, so using binoculars to examine each branch for movement or activity can be helpful. Look on the ground below the tree for a collection of fresh bird droppings. This can signal that a nest above might be inhabited. If possible, trim branches by hand so it is easier to see up close what is being removed. Only trim branches that are necessary for safety and tree health and leave as much natural habitat as possible, including cavities and foliage. Dead branches also provide important habitats for a number of insect and bird species. Consider leaving some deadwood on trees if it does not pose a safety risk.
Through responsible tree trimming, it is possible to safely enjoy healthy plants while simultaneously protecting the habitats that so many wild animals need in order to thrive in the wild.
Anna’s Hummingbird nest in a tree
By Executive Director, Jennifer Brent
Acorn Woodpeckers
Once able to eat on their own, the woodpeckers were placed in an outdoor aviary to acclimate to the temperature, develop muscle stamina and strength, and de-habituate from humans. In a special aviary, logs were hung from the ceiling to mimic trees. These logs have been drilled with multiple holes, where we secrete mealworms and other tasty tidbits. In this way, the birds learn that pecking the wood will bear food.
Woodpeckers have special adaptations that allow them to “drill” into trees. Their tongues wrap around their brain—this cushions their heads while drilling into wood and provides a handy space for their very long (5 inches for an adult Acorn Woodpecker) tongues to go. These tongues are barbed, which enables them to scoop out insects or sap from a hole.
Male and female Acorn Woodpeckers look virtually the same, both sporting the distinctive red “caps” and black backs and white breasts.
These birds depend on oak forests for survival, as they are specialists in acorns. They may create granaries to prepare for winter and store over 50,000 acorns in a single tree, with each acorn in its own small hole. As specialists, Acorn Woodpeckers are particularly vulnerable to deforestation and loss of habitat.