May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: A year in review
The largest-ever Summer Clinical group, new ambassadors, and the return of a Lees-91探花 alum are just a few of this year’s highlightsThe work never ends at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (MWRC). A diligent team of students, faculty, rehabilitators, and volunteers work around the clock to provide treatment for injured and orphaned wildlife from the High Country and beyond. As 2022 winds down, the center is proud to share the many successes and exciting stories that exemplify the hard work of the rehabilitation staff.
Content and photos contributed by May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center staff.
The Dan & Dianne May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center personifies the 91探花 motto—In the Mountains, of the Mountains, For the Mountains—in caring for the injured and orphaned wildlife of western North Carolina. The college’s founder Rev. Edgar Tufts created a women’s boarding school, a hospital, and an orphan’s home when he started this great college. We are so proud of the dedication of students and staff working with these animals and know that Rev. Tufts looks down at us with a smile as we educate wildlife professionals who are making a difference in the world through wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary care, and education.
The MWRC had a busy summer, receiving over 620 patients from the beginning (May 16) to end (July 29) of Summer Clinical. Over 49% of patients were released, which in wildlife rehabilitation is very good! Unfortunately, not every case ends ideally, but we always do what we can to provide comfort and make the best decision we can for each animal.
This summer saw an influx of Virginia opossums—we admitted almost 90 in just three months! These adorable tick eaters take a lot of work to raise. Marsupials feed their young differently than other mammals; when opossums arrive as babies, we tube feed them formula to reduce the risk of aspiration. Each patient gets a personalized plan to help them succeed. As they grow, we give them specialized diets rich in calcium to ensure they develop strong bones, as they are susceptible to metabolic bone diseases.
This summer saw an influx of Virginia opossums—we admitted almost 90 in just three months! These adorable tick eaters take a lot of work to raise. Marsupials feed their young differently than other mammals; when opossums arrive as babies, we tube feed them formula to reduce the risk of aspiration. Each patient gets a personalized plan to help them succeed. As they grow, we give them specialized diets rich in calcium to ensure they develop strong bones, as they are susceptible to metabolic bone diseases.
A patient's eventual outcome depends on a variety of factors: the significance and timing of the injury, their status on arrival, how manageable their injuries are considering their species, and how likely they are to survive in the wild. Our team has to determine what a patient needs to make them most comfortable, whether that be treatment or humane euthanasia.
"Summer Clinical at MWRC was a great learning experience that I am grateful for. It was such a great summer with great role models."
—Jaycey Deal
"Summer Clinical at MWRC was a great learning experience that I am grateful for. It was such a great summer with great role models."
—Jaycey Deal
"The memories I gained over the summer will last a lifetime and have solidified my love for helping animals.”
—Emma McGuckin
"The memories I gained over the summer will last a lifetime and have solidified my love for helping animals.”
—Emma McGuckin
“Summer Clinicals are full of growth. We get many babies and have the pleasure of watching them grow. They aren’t the only ones growing though—we grow too! I am so glad that I was able to spend my summer growing with them.”
—Breyanna Mathis
“Summer Clinicals are full of growth. We get many babies and have the pleasure of watching them grow. They aren’t the only ones growing though—we grow too! I am so glad that I was able to spend my summer growing with them.”
—Breyanna Mathis
This 30-foot enclosure is set up for one of our few fish-eating raptors. After experiencing an unknown trauma, this patient went through HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) quarantine, then graduated from this cage to masterful flight in the 60-foot enclosure prior to release.
Kelli Johnson ’21 returns to Lees-91探花
Hello, my name is Kelli Johnson! It gives me great pride to introduce myself as the newest staff member at MWRC as of May 2022. I graduated from Lees-91探花 in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and a specialization in Wildlife Rehabilitation. I have had a passion for rescuing animals since I was a child, and I am thrilled to now have the title of wildlife rehabilitation specialist. While I have a deep love for all animals, reptiles and amphibians are my specialty. I look forward to providing excellent care for all animals at MWRC and educating our community about the natural world around us!
Alyssa Robertson ’22 heads to Dollywood
Alyssa Robertson graduated from 91探花 in 2022 with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a specialization in Wildlife Rehabilitation. Alyssa was accepted at the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, North Carolina for their summer-long educator/trainer internship position. She worked with a wide variety of raptors, training and participating in the many educational programs they offer around the region.
She has recently accepted a position as a trainer/educator at the American Eagle Foundation where she will be performing at Dollywood’s Wings of America. We are so proud of Alyssa for following her dreams as an educator and avian trainer!
Mykola (peregrine falcon) came from the Kentucky Raptor Center. He suffered a wing injury so is unable to fly well enough to catch prey. He is still in training, but we expect him to be ready for public viewing in the spring. His name, meaning “winner of people” in Ukranian, was chosen by MWRC work-study student Kevin O’Brienhalla, who was adopted at the age of 6 months from Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Mykola (peregrine falcon) came from the Kentucky Raptor Center. He suffered a wing injury so is unable to fly well enough to catch prey. He is still in training, but we expect him to be ready for public viewing in the spring. His name, meaning “winner of people” in Ukranian, was chosen by MWRC work-study student Kevin O’Brienhalla, who was adopted at the age of 6 months from Mykolaiv, Ukraine.
Buckley (northern saw-whet owl) came from Featherhaven in Washington, near the base of Mt. Rainier. Director Nina Fischesser and alumnus Alana Murray flew out and visited two other rehabilitation centers (Sarvey and West Sound) and met with Featherhaven owners Kelly and David. Nina and Alana were very impressed with Featherhaven’s home-based rehabilitation center. Buckley will serve as a display bird only. We are still searching for a companion bird to keep him company.
Buckley (northern saw-whet owl) came from Featherhaven in Washington, near the base of Mt. Rainier. Director Nina Fischesser and alumnus Alana Murray flew out and visited two other rehabilitation centers (Sarvey and West Sound) and met with Featherhaven owners Kelly and David. Nina and Alana were very impressed with Featherhaven’s home-based rehabilitation center. Buckley will serve as a display bird only. We are still searching for a companion bird to keep him company.
Cooper’s hawk beats the odds
For some patients, it seems their gumption is as important to their recovery as the treatment they receive.
Cooper’s Hawk 2022-0825 was presumed to be hit by a car prior to admission to the MWRC on July 16. Cooper’s hawks are notoriously high stress and active; this bird’s demeanor on arrival was despondent at best. The physical exam and radiographs revealed not one but FOUR fractures. For an adept flier who depends on speed and agility, prognosis was grim. However, the ever-hopeful staff elected to surgically repair the humerus and apply a “figure of 8” wrap to strategically support the fractured wing bones. The femur, surrounded by large thigh muscles, healed well with cage rest. After five surgeries/anesthetic events, many physical therapy sessions, and over 40 days in rehab, the Cooper’s hawk was flying (and landing) beautifully... an amazing testament to both the skillfulness of the rehab team and tenacity of this species!
The tiniest patient
Our patients come in a wide range of sizes, and this ring-necked snake may have been our smallest patient all year! Weighing less than a gram, this patient was admitted with a possible spinal fracture. They were unable to gain momentum to move their body forward and would therefore be susceptible to capture and predator attacks. After 11 days of laser therapy and cage rest, this patient recovered and was able to move normally, making them eligible for release!
Did you guess that our mystery patient was an osprey?
The fish-loving bird of prey is also known as a sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk. Ospreys are the second-most widely distributed raptor, after the peregrine falcon.
