Volunteers for Wildlife :: Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center

Meet Our Animals

The cost of care for each of our permanent education animals ranges from $30 - $150 per year, and some animals may live with us as long as 50 years! You or your group can choose to sponsor one of our permanent animals. Wildlife sponsorships can also be given as gifts! Recipients will receive a card, certificate, and photo of the animal sponsored. For more information, click here to download our sponsorship brochure.

Barred Owl

Our newest permanent resident, a Barred Owl named Solomon, came to us in February of 2009 from a rehabilitation center in Destin, Florida. Solomon was found on the side of a road in 2008 with a fractured wing. It is suspected that he was involved in an automobile collision. His wing was surgically repaired by a veterinarian. Although the rehabilitation center had planned to release him after the surgery, it was then discovered that he was blind in his left eye. As owls rely heavily on their keen vision to hunt for prey, he was found to be unsuitable for release to the wild. Barred Owls can be found in Eastern North America from Canada to Mexico, in mature, swampy woodlands. Although once found on Long Island in large numbers, Barred Owls have been seldom seen here in recent years due to a lack of suitable habitat.

Red-tailed Hawks

Taylor came to our center in 1991. He was confiscated by the Department of Environmental Conservation from a citizen who intended to illegally keep him captive. A trial ensued, and the DEC requested he remain at our center. He could not be released to the wild because he had become too accustomed to humans. Rufous is our oldest Red-tail, admitted to our hospital in 1988. Her right wing was amputated after she was hit by a car, and bones in her wing were broken beyond repair. Baby is the youngest of our four Red-tails, he was brought to our clinic as a chick after he fell from his nest. Away from his parents' care, he became sick and emaciated. His illness was so severe that by the time he was healthy enough to be released, he had "imprinted" on humans. Although he is not tame, he does not perceive humans as dangerous, so he would not be safe living in the wild. Lucky Lady was first found in Scarsdale, NY. Her eye had to be surgically removed as it was infected and damaged beyond repair. Our research indicated that a one-eyed bird could be successfully released to the wild, so Lady was banded and released. A month later she was found on the ground, weak and hungry, as she had not been able to hunt for food with limited vision. Since 2001 she has lived at Volunteers for Wildlife. Red-tailed Hawks are numerous all across New York State, including Long Island and the city boroughs. They can often be seen resting on light poles alongside highways on Long Island.

Great Horned Owls

Marcus was brought to our hospital in 2003 when he was about 2 years old. He had flown into fishing line that was put up in a marina to deter gulls, and became entangled. A quick-thinking citizen with a medical background was able to stabilize him and get him to our wildlife hospital. Though he did not sustain any fractures, permanent tendon and muscle damage will prevent him from being able to hunt successfully on his own in the wild. Our female Great Horned Owl, Mama, was kept illegally on display in a gas station. She had fractures to her wing that had healed incorrectly, and had damaged feathers as a result of being kept in a tiny rabbit hutch. Her bad experiences have made Mama aggressive towards humans, but she is an excellent foster parent for orphaned baby Great Horned Owls in our hospital. Great Horned Owls prefer to live in densely wooded areas, however, on Long Island they can sometimes be found around golf courses or athletic fields. They are capable of catching prey that is twice their weight.

American Kestrel

Buster was brought to VW in 2000. We believe he was taken from the wild and raised with children, because he seems to enjoy the attention of children that visit our gift shop. He seems particularly excited when he goes out education programs to elementary schools. Kestrels can be found throughout North and South America. They are common in New York City, as they nest and watch for prey on the ledges of tall buildings.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Stella has been with us since 1999. Thought to be injured in a window collision, she was found in Borough Park with neurological symptoms typical of a head injury. Though she did recover to a large extent, we do not believe she would be able to hunt successfully or fly well enough to migrate. Saw-whet Owls primarily catch and eat small mammals. In the winter, they may stash bits of extra food and allow it to freeze in the cold. When they are hungry, they will use their own body heat to defrost the meat so that they can eat it. Stella is known for hiding bits of food all around her cage, making it hard for us to pick up her leftovers!

Eastern Screech-Owl

Duncan came to us following a program to re-establish the population of screech owls into Central Park. Transmitters were attached to track the released owls; Duncan was found down on the ground, apparently he had not been hunting. After one more try at release that was unsuccessful, he was transferred to our center for permanent care. Screech owls are among the most common owls on Long Island, as they do not require as much territory for hunting as larger birds of prey do. They are well-camoflaged and difficult to spot on a background of tree branches.

Virginia Opossum

This opossum, Minerva, came to our center in Spring of 2009. Minerva and her seven siblings were orphaned when their mother was hit by a car and killed. The eight young opossums were raised in captivity by a well-intentioned animal lover. Due to the fact that they were found late in the season, it was necessary for the opossums to remain in captivity over the winter. By spring, Minerva was full grown and could be released - if only she were not too tame for all her time spent living around people. Opossums are North America’s only marsupial and have been around for the last 70 million years! They are frequently found as orphans, as a female with babies in her pouch may be found after being hit by a car or attacked by a dog.

Mallard Duck

This male Mallard was admitted to our hospital in 2003. He had been taken from the wild and fed an improper diet, resulting in his developing “Angelwing”, an irreversible deformity of the wing in waterfowl. As a result of his condition, he was named "Angel." This condition occurs often in the wild when young waterfowl are fed white bread. A sociable duck, he goes out on programs and teaches children not to feed the waterfowl. While at the center, he enjoys policing our yard by chasing away what he perceives to be intruders.

American Oystercatcher

Ollie is a comical little bird. He was found on the beach as a little chick in 2000 and brought to Volunteers because he had sustained an injury to his right wing, which had to be amputated. He is now fully grown and can be seen during the spring and summer months outside in our yard. American Oystercatchers are native to Long Island and can be found (and heard) in many areas of Long Island, specifically Jones Beach and Eaton’s Neck.

Female Eastern Box Turtle

Rosie was brought to Volunteers for Wildlife from Caleb Smith State Park. She was found with an injury to her head, and when she was examined at our hospital we saw that part of her face was missing and she had an ear infection. Her facial injuries caused her to become emaciated, as it was difficult for her to find food that she could eat on her own. In captivity, she is doing fine and especially loves strawberries. Eastern Box Turtles face especially hard times in Long Island due to constant development taking away their habitat. Some injuries that they face besides displacement are lawnmower injuries and dog attacks.

Corn Snake

VW's newest permanent education animal is a young corn snake. He was adopted from a teacher whose pet snakes had an accidental clutch of eggs. Although corn snakes are not native to New York, they are commonly found in habitats similar to Long Island's. Ordinarily, they can be found in the southeastern and central United States, and as far north as New Jersey. Corn snakes are non-venomous constrictors, they are primarily nocturnal, and are avid climbers. Fully grown, they may reach four to six feet in length.

Barred Owls - In Memoriam

Two of the oldest education animals at Volunteers for Wildlife passed away in 2008. Barry was found as a chick in Canada. He had to have one of his wings amputated, thus rendering him unreleasable. He had been with us since 1981, surviving to the age of 27. Butter was originally housed by Queens College’s animal collection, she joined us in 2004 when their program closed. She and Barry would communicate to each other and seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Butter was known to be visited by a wild Barred Owl in the park, who occasionally brought her food that he had caught. She passed away at the age of 28. Barred Owls are found in marshes and dense forest habitats, which are now scarce on Long Island due to development. It is suspected that a few wild Barred Owls are still present in Caumsett State Historic Park, and on occasion, they had been heard calling to our resident owls.

We Need Volunteers!

Volunteers for Wildlife is recruiting new volunteers for the Fall. Check out our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more.

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