Once admitted, our veterinarian performed a full exam and discovered a soft tissue injury to the owl’s left wing. The owl is now recovering in one of our outdoor enclosures, where it can rest and heal in a more natural environment as it regains strength.

Fun Fact: Great horned owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees thanks to an extra neck vertebrae. This is an incredible adaptation that helps them stay alert to their surroundings.

Photos by Noa R., intern at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

This black-and-white coloration of one of the squirrels is known as melanism, a genetic mutation that affects fur pigment. While it does not indicate a separate species, it’s mostly common in fox squirrels in colder climates. According to Lauren Barkley, Associate Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, this was the first melanistic Big Cypress fox squirrel she had encountered in nearly a decade at the hospital. 

Fox squirrels are also notable for their size. They are two to three times larger than the eastern gray squirrels most people are familiar with. A healthy adult gray squirrel weighs about 360 grams (~0.79 pounds), while an adult fox squirrel can reach nearly 1,000 grams (~2.2 pounds). Even as babies, the difference is striking. When admitted, one squirrel weighed 156 grams and the other 216 grams, far larger than gray squirrels of the same age, which typically weigh under 100 grams. 

Their impressive size often draws human attention, particularly in golf course communities where pockets of pine and cypress habitat are attractors for them. Unfortunately, people sometimes feed fox squirrels, which can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans. One of these squirrels was brought to the hospital after being found orphaned and approaching people. 

The other squirrel was admitted after falling from a nest. Both were treated for injuries related to high falls, including dehydration and pain, and one arrived with a nosebleed requiring close monitoring. Once stabilized, the squirrels were placed on specialized formulas and diets to support healthy development. 

Fox squirrels are known to imprint more easily than gray squirrels, making socialization during rehabilitation especially important. Staff had been actively searching for another rehabilitation facility with a fox squirrel to ensure appropriate pairing, when a second juvenile patient was admitted. The two were housed together, allowing them to develop natural behaviors such as climbing and foraging while reducing stress. 

As they matured and demonstrated the ability to climb, jump, and crack nuts on their own, they were moved to a specialized outdoor enclosure to prepare for life in the wild. The first squirrel spent a total of 74 days in rehabilitation, while the second spent 56 days.

The two were ultimately released together at a carefully selected site with high-quality pine and cypress habitat near the nest where one of them was originally found. Releasing the squirrels together helped reduce stress and supported natural behaviors during their transition back into the wild, increasing their chance of success. 

Their release highlights the importance of intact habitat and expert wildlife rehabilitation. Squirrels that have been orphaned may approach people seeking food. If you live in Southwest Florida and see a squirrel approaching people and you are unsure whether it is orphaned, contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at (239) 262-2273 for guidance. For more information on the von Arx Wildlife Hospital and the Conservancy’s wildlife rehabilitation program, please click here. 

Eagles can be dangerous if you do not know how to properly handle or contain an eagle. They are strong birds with big talons and an injury can happen if not properly contained. 

When we arrived at the location, the eagle was tangled in Muscadine vines and had flies all around him. We were able to successfully contain the eagle and free the bird from the vines.

At our wildlife hospital, a full exam was conducted. There were abrasions on both wrists and a small laceration around the leg. The bird also had multiple areas where flies started to lay eggs.

Based on the exam and history, we can assume that the two eagles may have gotten into a fight which led to one eagle getting tangled in the vines. Eagles can sometimes get into altercations because of protecting their territory and/or food.

The abrasions were probably from the struggle of trying to get untangled from the vines. Luckily, for this eagle, the rescuer noticed the eagle, and we were able to act fast, instead of the eagle staying tangled overnight and struggling. 

The eagle received fluids, pain medications, antibiotics, and special medication to kill the fly eggs before they could hatch. The following day, the eagle was already alert and looking much better. This case was a quick turnaround due to the minor injuries. Within a week, the eagle was moved to one of our outdoor enclosures to start conditioning.

Proper conditioning in order to release an animal back to the wild, and subsequent evaluation of that conditioning for release readiness, must take into consideration multiple components including behavior, exercise, physical condition, food prehension and handling, waterproofing, acclimation to weather and overall health.

Each animal that is admitted to our wildlife hospital must meet the following criteria to be deemed release-ready:

• Has recovered from the presenting injury or illness
• Is an appropriate age to evade predators and survive independently (unless being reunited/renested)
• Recognizes/interacts appropriately with its own species
• Can successfully recognize and procure natural foods
• Recognizes predators and responds appropriately
• Is physically and mentally conditioned to properly perform the functions needed for that species to survive in the wild
• Displays species-appropriate behavior
• Is acclimated to current outside temperatures
• Is in complete plumage/pelage necessary for survival
• Exhibits no sign of active disease or injury obtained while in captivity
• Has received a pre-release exam and any testing necessary to ensure it is healthy at the time of release

After a couple of weeks, the eagle was successfully released back into the wild. Thank you to Wyndemere Country Club for opening their property up for us to release the eagle in a safe spot.

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital is open every day from 8am to 6pm. Call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance. We are located at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, Florida. Currently, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital is caring for 112 native animals.

While the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center will close temporarily for annual maintenance September 2 through 29, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital will remain open daily from 8 am to 6 pm to meet the ongoing needs of wildlife admissions and rehabilitative care.

Administrative offices will be open for business as usual during the Nature Center closure. Normal operating hours at the Nature Center are expected to resume at 9:30 am on Tuesday, September 30.

Over 4,000 injured, sick, and orphaned native animals are admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital each year. Most of those injuries stem from interactions that involve humans — including car strikes, domestic pet attacks, window collisions, fishing line and hook injuries, gunshots, and toxicosis.

If you find injured or orphaned native wildlife, contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at (239) 262-2273.

Check conservancy.org for additional Nature Center updates.

Call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance. We are located at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, FL. Open every day from 8am to 6pm.

This past week, our wildlife hospital admitted 5 different native wildlife species that were kept as pets. The patients included a Florida box turtle, chicken turtle, two raccoons, and a fawn.

Florida Box Turtle

The Florida box turtle was kept as a pet for 3 years and was in another person’s care prior to that. While the history of the box turtle is unknown, based off of our full exam, our professional wildlife rehabilitators could tell it was receiving improper care.

The Florida box turtle had a pink coloration to the skin and the shell was starting to flake. Turtles are ectothermic, which means that they rely on external sources to regulate body temperature. By creating an environment that allows them to maintain their body temperature, this allows them to properly digest and helps with their overall health. Also, by providing a proper diet you are ensuring that the shell is able to develop properly. Based off of the exam and previous history that was given, the wildlife hospital staff could assume the box turtle did not receive the correct care. 

Fawn

Another species that was kept as a pet was a fawn. 

Earlier this week, we received a phone call from the rescuer reporting that they had found a fawn three days ago and the mom has not come back. After asking more questions, it was revealed that they were doing supplemental feedings throughout the day. This is problematic because the rescuer interfered with the fawn’s normal diet, bonding time with the parent, and introduced a relationship to humans. Adult female deers will leave their fawn out in a safe area for hours while she goes to graze. If there are any disturbances during this time period, this could cause the mother to become wary of the situation and suspect danger.

Since we knew the rescuer was already feeding the fawn, we asked if they could bring the animal in knowing that there has been interruptions and the mom would not be coming back. We also wanted to make sure the fawn was digesting properly because of the supplemental formula that was given to him. 

When we asked the rescuer to bring in the animal, they were unable to bring it in that day so we asked for a photo so that we could see the size of the fawn and prepare our Critter Courier for pickup.

When we received the photo, we realized the fawn had a collar and leash around his neck. After talking with them again, they said that they had the fawn for three weeks and it has been living outside on a leash. We were able to send a Critter Courier for pick up.

After a full exam, the fawn seemed healthy and was just a little thin. He is currently doing well and will be transferred to another facility to grow up with an adult female deer and other fawns, so that there is a chance of habituation or imprinting.

Our goal is to assist injured, sick and orphaned animals so, when healthy, they can be returned to the wild. For more information on wildlife permits and licenses, please visit FWC permit section.

On July 4, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida received a call from a local resident about a bat colony found on the ground under a palm frond. Bats are considered rabies vectors in Florida, meaning that the animal can carry the rabies virus without showing symptoms and can pass it to humans. Human safety is our priority, so we advised the rescuer not to touch or handle the babies and to wait for our assistance.

Our team of professional wildlife rehabilitators arrived on scene and began to assess the situation. Hundreds of bat pups had fallen from the tree and were huddled together under a palm frond. Our goal was to return them to their parents as soon as possible, but first, a full exam needed to be done on each pup to check for injuries.

On the first night, the staff left the bats at the base of the tree hoping that the parents would come down to retrieve their pups. There were still a number of bats at the base of the tree when staff checked in the morning.  

The rehabilitation staff brought the rest of the pups back to the wildlife hospital to ensure they were safe during the day and check hydration levels. Our team reached out to Bat World Sanctuary in Texas for specialized assistance as a number of bats still needed to be renested. The team at Bat World Sanctuary advised us to install a bat box as high up to the roost as possible in the tree and drape a pup catcher to catch bats that may fall from the bat box.

Our staff called one of our volunteers, Dylan at Homegrown Tree Care LLC, to help assist in hanging the box. Dylan has helped with renesting many of our wildlife patients in the past but has never hung a bat box before. Fortunately, Dylan had a bat box in his yard that was unoccupied that we were able to use, and our staff made a pup catcher. We checked the bats after two days and there were no bats in the catcher which meant that the parents were successfully taking care of the young bats.

Thank you to all who helped in this renesting! With your compassion, 145 bat pups were successfully renested.

Bat Facts 

Bats roost in colonies. For Brazilian free-tailed bat colonies, the adult female bats take care of each other’s babies. They use vocal recognition and scent to identify their actual baby. Based on our personal von Arx Wildlife Hospital records, we have had 3 other bat colonies (2013, 2015, 2017) that also fell and needed assistance on July 4th. If you find a fallen palm frond, please check for bats as it is maternity season. 

FWC states, “In Florida, bat maternity season, when it is illegal to exclude bats from buildings, typically runs from April 15th to August 15th. During this period, mother bats are raising their young, and it is illegal to install exclusion devices that would prevent bats from returning to their roosts, potentially trapping flightless pups. During this time, it is illegal to exclude bats from buildings without a permit. Exclusion devices (devices that allow bats to exit but not re-enter) can be used outside of maternity season to remove bats from structures. Bats are protected year-round in Florida, and it is illegal to harm or kill them.”

Rabies Information

If you find an injured animal that is considered a rabies vector, do not handle it directly. Some examples include foxes, raccoons, bats, otters, bobcats, skunks, and coyotes. Contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for guidance at 239-262-2273. We are open 365 days from 8am to 6pm. If instructed to transport the animal, wear thick gloves and use a secure, well-ventilated container. Avoid direct contact and never attempt to feed or treat the animal yourself. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital must treat rabies cases as instructed by Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64D-3.

The rescue began April 9 when a dedicated Conservancy supporter discovered the bobcat, who appeared to have suffered trauma consistent with a vehicle strike. The animal had a fractured front left leg and injuries to two toes on its right front paw. The supporter immediately transported the bobcat to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. 

Conservancy wildlife veterinarian Dr. Kendall Carlin stabilized the bobcat and worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) veterinarians to confirm the injuries were survivable. Then, surgery was planned in partnership with Dr. Lauren Aldrich at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Fort Myers. Three Conservancy donors paid for the cost of the surgery. 

Orthopedic support came from Arthrex, which generously provided the surgical plate needed to repair the front leg fracture. Additional surgery was performed to improve function in the paw with missing digits, ensuring the bobcat could eventually walk and hunt again. 

“We were pleased to be able to support the effort to save the bobcat with this donation,” said Arthrex Vet Systems Senior Product Manager, Matthew Houbre. “Arthrex’s OrthoLine fracture management system includes 99 plates in sizes ranging from 1.6mm to 3.5mm designed to fit animals from very small dogs and cats all the way up to giant breeds. It’s part of Arthrex’s commitment to supporting the health of both domestic pets and wildlife.” 

Following surgery, the bobcat received a week of intensive post-operative care at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital before being transferred to the South Florida Wildlife Center in Fort Lauderdale. There, the animal spent nearly two months in a specialized outdoor enclosure that met Class II wildlife housing standards, limiting human interaction to support a successful return to the wild. Two follow-up examinations confirmed the bobcat was healing well and regaining critical mobility. 

With FWC guidance, the Conservancy worked with Lee County Parks and Recreation to return the bobcat to its natural habitat near where it was found. Its release marks the final step in an extraordinary rescue journey made possible by a network of conservation-minded partners and individuals. 

“This rescue is a powerful example of what’s possible when our community comes together for wildlife,” said Dr. Kendall Carlin, veterinarian of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. “We are grateful to our supporters and partners who made this bobcat’s second chance possible.” 

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital treats 4,000 injured, sick, and orphaned animals each year. To learn more about the Conservancy’s work in wildlife rehabilitation and how to help, visit conservancy.org. 

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida 

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental organization that has protected water, land and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties for more than 60 years. Through environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation, the Conservancy safeguards Southwest Florida’s natural resources for future generations. 

Headquartered in Naples, Florida, the Conservancy is home to Collier County’s only native wildlife hospital and its vibrant Nature Center. Currently open to visitors, the Nature Center is undergoing a major transformation into a new, impactful community offering—the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, set to open in 2028. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a gateway to conservation, offering immersive exhibits, hands-on learning and expanded programs to inspire environmental stewardship and enhance the region’s quality of life. 

Learn more and support Southwest Florida’s environmental future at conservancy.org.

Prevent human imprinting on wildlife

Young animals can quickly become habituated or imprinted to humans, making it difficult or impossible for them to survive in the wild.

When bringing animals to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, please remember to do the following things to prevent human imprinting:

1. Handle the animal only when absolutely necessary for transportation, and always wear gloves when handling.
2. Keep the animal in a secure, ventilated container covered with a towel or blanket to minimize stress, noise, and visual stimulation.
3. Do not give the animal any food or fluids to prevent the animal from associating humans with food.

What you need to know about rabies

Several wildlife animals are considered rabies vectors in Florida, meaning that the animal can carry the rabies virus without showing symptoms and can pass it to humans.

Rabies is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal, as the virus is found in their saliva. Infected animals may appear healthy but can behave abnormally, either unusually friendly or aggressive.

If you find an injured animal that is considered a rabies vector, do not handle it directly. Contact the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for guidance. If instructed to transport the animal, wear thick gloves and use a secure, well-ventilated container. Avoid direct contact and never attempt to feed or treat the animal yourself. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital must treat rabies cases as instructed by Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64D-3.

Policy on patient updates

At the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, our mission is to provide expert medical care and compassionate rehabilitation to native wildlife, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. Please note that we do not provide individual patient updates. This policy is in place for several important reasons:

1. Prioritizing Patient Care: Our team of licensed wildlife veterinarians, technicians, and trained volunteers must focus their time and energy on hands-on care. Providing individual updates diverts time and resources away from the direct treatment of the hundreds of animals we receive each week.
2. High Volume of Admissions: The von Arx Wildlife Hospital admits thousands of injured, ill, and orphaned animals each year. Due to this high patient volume and the fast-paced nature of wildlife rehabilitation, it is not feasible to track and report on each individual animal once admitted.
3. Wildlife Regulations and Responsibility: Once a wild animal is admitted to our hospital, it becomes the responsibility of our licensed wildlife facility. Wild animals are protected under state and federal law and are not considered personal pets. Our care is guided by strict medical, ethical, and legal standards.

We understand the care and compassion that drives you to help injured wildlife, and we want to assure you that every patient at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital receives the best possible treatment. Despite our best efforts, not all animals survive or can be returned to the wild. Your act of rescue makes a real difference, and we thank you for your support and trust.

Call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital

If you find injured, orphaned, or sick native wildlife, call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. Our staff will guide you on what you need to do. The phone line is open 8 AM to 5 PM, every day of the year.

With thousands of animals being admitted into our care each year, our rehabilitation staff is often working directly with wildlife and unable to answer the phone. Please be patient and kind when trying to reach the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, and remember that we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for doing your part to help animals in need!

Call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for assistance at (239) 262-CARE.

The Conservancy invited the public to their Nature Center, located at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, FL. During the Saturday event, any person who brought in an item for their wildlife wishlist or donated to the hospital received free admission or a discounted membership. The von Arx Wildlife Hospital was gifted $1,511 and 214 items. Some items included food, vitamins, paper towel and syringes. Thank you to all who showed up to support our wildlife hospital and staff.

The Baby Shower is still running through the month of June. If you would like to support the Conservancy and its most vulnerable patients, please head to their website to check out their wishlist, donation page and more.

Here in Florida, there are two seasons – wet and dry. Beginning in late spring or early summer, as the rainfall increases, the wet season takes over. During this time, the vegetation growth rate increases, causing an uptick in lawn and yard maintenance. Many species such as eastern screech owls, northern mockingbirds and more, use trees, shrubs and other foliage to house their nests. Other species such as eastern cottontail rabbits’ nest on the ground at the base of trees and shrubs. Increased tree trimming, mowing and yard work can cause serious damage to those nests and their inhabitants.

Always be sure to check the lawns, trees, shrubs and surrounding areas before mowing, trimming or removing branches. If you do spot an active nest, it is best to leave it alone until the babies have left the nest for good.

When deciding whether a baby animal is in need of assistance, there are a few things to keep in mind. Not all species care for their young the same. Some are with the babies to offer care and protection, while some watch from close by. Others will leave the area for periods of time in hopes of drawing less attention to the nest or burrow.

If you are unsure how to proceed after spotting signs of an active nest in your yard, or if you spot a baby animal on its own, it’s best to call the von Arx Wildlife Hospital to speak with one of their wildlife rehabilitation professionals at 239-262-2273. The wildlife hospital is open every day from 8am to 6pm. 

Staff will help you determine the best course of action and walk you through each step. Some cases might require the animal to be left alone, but if there is sign of an injury or no sign of the parents for an extended period, the animal may need professional care.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit environmental organization that has protected water, land and wildlife in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties for more than 60 years. Through environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation, the Conservancy safeguards Southwest Florida’s natural resources for future generations.

Headquartered in Naples, Florida, the Conservancy is home to Collier County’s only native wildlife hospital and its vibrant Nature Center. Currently open to visitors, the Nature Center is undergoing a major transformation into a new, impactful community offering—the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, set to open in 2028. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a gateway to conservation, offering immersive exhibits, hands-on learning and expanded programs to inspire environmental stewardship and enhance the region’s quality of life.

Learn more and support Southwest Florida’s environmental future at conservancy.org.

Written by Lauren Barkley | von Arx Wildlife Hospital Rehabilitation Manager

The von Arx Wildlife Hospital is part of and located at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Call 239-262-2273 for wildlife assistance. Our wildlife hospital is open 365 days a year from 8am to 6pm. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is an environmental conservation nonprofit with a Nature Center open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm. The Conservancy and the wildlife hospital are located at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples, FL.

In the spring and summer months, we admit hundreds of baby animals into our wildlife hospital. In 2024, 1,868 babies were admitted out of our 3,821 total animal admissions for the year. Here are some tips on what to do if you find an injured, orphaned and/or sick baby animal:

General Tips

Never try to feed baby wildlife. Google is misleading. It is full of false information and these animals are super vulnerable. They need to see an expert who can provide them with the proper care. Feeding babies incorrectly is extremely dangerous to their health and can cause them to aspirate by inhaling milk, water, or food into the lungs. Babies that are weak, injured, or forced to take food and water may not be able to swallow or process an inappropriate food, which is dangerous. Aspiration can lead to life threatening complications such as pneumonia if untreated or necessary treatment from a veterinarian comes too late. If you find an injured baby, please call our wildlife hospital and do not run to the pet store for milk and food. Make getting them to our wildlife hospital your priority and get here as soon as you can. Our dedicated skilled rehabbers will ensure the baby is stabilized and provide them with everything they need to thrive. 

Never try to raise baby wildlife at home. Wild animals should not be treated as pets and need to stay wild to ensure their survival. Imprinting and habituation to humans is possible when not taking proper precautions raising wildlife. Always contact a local wildlife rehabber so they can get the proper socialization of their own kind. 

Sometimes wildlife do not always need your help. Their parents do a great job and it is important for them to be raised wild. 

Grey squirrels

If you find a grey squirrel on the ground, bring the baby to the hospital. Baby grey squirrels nest in the trees and if you find one on the ground, the chances that they have fallen are high. Do not offer food or water; just locate your nearest wildlife center so professionals can see them. Most likely the baby is in serious pain from falling and the last thing they need is food instead they need pain medication and to be seen by a veterinarian to make sure there are no broken bones or internal injuries.  

In addition, if a young squirrel is coming up to you, they are probably orphaned. Wildlife should not be friendly, so if they are coming up to you they are probably hungry and desperate. Please contain the young squirrel and bring to the wildlife hospital so it can receive the proper nutrition. With animals that are thin or emaciated it is important that they receive necessary fluids and careful monitoring before offering food. Feeding them too much too soon can actually cause life threatening complications, so please do not feed them. 

We admitted 78 gray squirrels in 2024.  

Songbirds

Baby songbird young: If you find a nestling baby bird on the ground, please bring it to the wildlife hospital. Nestling baby birds are naked or have downy/pinfeathers. They are too young to be out of the nest and need to be monitored for bruising and internal injuries after the fall. If you are unsure, you can always take a photo and send it the wildlife hospital and from there the staff can age the bird. 

Baby songbird fledge: Most likely if you find a fledge on the ground they do not need to come into the wildlife hospital unless there is an obvious sign of injury. Fledging is an important stage where they are hopping around learning how to fly and eat on their own with their parent’s guidance. If you are unsure if a baby bird is truly a fledge please take a photo and the wildlife staff can age the bird.

We admitted 554 baby birds in 2024. 

Eastern cottontail

If you find a bunny nest, do not touch it. It is important that you do not disturb the nest because mom will realize the nest has been disturbed and be cautious of returning.

In addition, the mom does not hang out near the nest so you cannot assume baby rabbits are orphaned. Mom feeds at dusk and dawn and is very secretive.

If you are unsure if mom is coming, you can set twigs on top of the nest making an X. Check the next day around 11am and if they are disturbed then mom is coming. A sign of an orphaned rabbit is one that will not stay in the nest.  

If you find a nest that has been disturbed and a sibling is dead, the whole nest needs to come to the wildlife hospital. If your dog digs up the nest or a cat brings a rabbit to your door or is in their mouth, the bunny needs to come in.

We admitted 497 eastern cottontails in 2024.  

Opossums

Opossums are the only marsupial in North America. Just like many marsupials, young joeys should be on their mom or in the pouch. If you find a single or group of young joey opossums by themselves then they need to go to the nearest wildlife hospital. The most common reason why joeys are admitted to the hospital is that that mom was hit by a car.

If you find a dead opossum, please check to see if there is a pouch. If there are babies in the pouch, we advise you to not remove the babies from the pouch but to bring the mom and babies in so we can also assess the mother for trauma or poisoning, but also remove the babies safely.

In 2024, we admitted 104 baby opossums. 

Fawns

If you ever see a fawn alone, do not be alarmed. Fawns spend most of their time alone hiding silently in the grass in between feedings from mom. This is actually their best defense from predators at their young and vulnerable age.

Fawns have no scent and a unique coat with spots to help them camouflage. If you think a fawn is orphaned, please call us immediately and do not touch them. We have professional rehabbers that can ask you the right questions to determine if the fawn is truly orphaned. By touching them, you are causing more harm than good. First, you are adding your scent to them. Second, you could spook them and cause them to run into danger causing them to get hurt or become separated and lost from mom. Please speak with a professional rehabber before taking matters into your own hands.