New Patients - Follow Their Journeys

Spring 2019

Our second renested owlet! Kristen was called to rescue a Great Horned Owlet that was on the ground in a wooded area. Kristen and her brother were able to place the owlet back in a large tree so that the homeowner could monitor its activity.  When she returned a few days later, Kristen saw the parents of the owlet and could see that they were caring for their offspring.

Recently we admitted an immature Great Horned Owl that was transferred from another rehab facility. We also admitted an immature red fox that was found late at night wandering by a road. These are the first two patients that will be spending the season with us until they are able to return to the wild.

This Barred Owl was admitted in early February after being found on the side of the road in Campbellsport. She had suffered from an ulna fracture when she was struck by a vehicle. Dr. Rollman and the Pine View staff opted for conservative therapy. And this past weekend, we were able to release her back to her home territory in the beautiful Kettle Morraine area.

Spring is finally here! Recently we received our first call in regards to an immature raptor being found on the ground after falling out of its nest. This little fluff of feathers is an immature Great-Horned Owl that is approximately 2-3 weeks old and is completely reliant on its parents for survival. They not only feed and protect their chicks but also keep them from freezing. Under the watchful eyes of both owl parents, we were able to rehome this fragile creature in a makeshift nest in a nearby tree. We were able to outwait the nervous parents to see them accept the new nest and continue to care for their little one. The woman who called us has not only agreed to monitor the situation but also given us permission to follow this young owl's journey into adulthood so you will be able to see its life progression at our annual Gala.

Winter 2018/2019

And yet another innocent victim loses a life as a result of an illegally placed trap in the town of Belgium in Ozaukee County. (DNR is investigating) No tags, no identification, and out of season "sport". This perpetuate indiscriminate practice causes unnecessary pain, suffering, and too often loss of life. In this case, perhaps the young in the nest as well as this adult are affected. We are the only major industrialized country in the world that permits and condones this archaic sport. Time for a change?

On the left is one of our hatchling painted turtles from last summer that we are overwintering. We decided to head start this little one because it is so small - nearly the size of a quarter. Here is it basking and showing true painted turtle behavior by extending its hind limb. On the right are two snapping turtle hatchlings that we are also overwintering. We determined that both of these turtles would do best by staying with us during the colder months before they can be released.

This Great Horned Owl (left) was admitted on 2/12 and fortunately has no orthopedic issues, but he is underweight. We are providing supporting care and reintroducing food.

This little screech owl made quite the trip to us after he was discovered in a wood duck box on shared property in the town of Rome. After triage and an exam, it was determined that he could be released after a few days back in his home territory. This is an example of why it is always best to call us if you are concerned about wildlife rather than just leaving them alone.

We received a call from a woman who found a young injured coyote in her chicken coop. We were able to get her out of the coop and into a kennel cab. She was very emaciated and clearly had mange all over her body. We treated her for the mange and secondary infections. Plus she was well fed during her time with us. We were able to have a successful release.

We had an adult Great Horned Owl admitted on January 12 after being seen on a low branch of a tree and was being harrassed by crows. It somehow got itself turned upside down on the branch and was hanging on by one foot. Rescuers had to cut the branch down to get the Owl. It was emaciated and severly compromised by Trichomoniasis as seen in the photo. The disease had already had damaging effects on the owl and rapidly progressed to where there was no longer quality of life and was euthanized.

Fall 2018

While they were at recess, students at a Port Washington school found a Great Horned Owl caught in a soccer net. Kristen went to the school and brought it back to Pine View. There's an article about the incident in the Ozaukee Press, and here are some additional photos. We'll post more photos when the Owl is released.

Summer 2018

Two fishermen on Lake Michigan rescued a Red-Tailed Hawk recently, and it was brought to us for treatment. You can even read about it in the Ozaukee Press, and the story was on the local news! And the happy ending to the story is that we were able to release the hawk.

Our first baby Painted Turtle of the year has hatched!

We have our first six hatchlings of the year! It is easy to forget that spring is not the only baby season of the year for wildlife, especially when this round brings such tiny (but just as adorable) creatures into the world.

Update on the Merlin: Our rescued Merlin was ready to go, and it let us know it! She flew beautifully and noisely over the field and headed toward the tallest tree on the tree line. She even called out a few times after perching somewhere in the trees making it very clear that this is where she belongs.

Multiple turtles hit by cars cannot be rehabilitated due to the extreme extent of their injuries. These photos capture the pain and destruction when a turtle was attacked by a dog.

This is a photo of a turtle that will be a long-term patient at our hospital. The individuals who found this painted turtle after it had been hit by a car felt they could care for it and used Quickie Glue on the severly fractured shell! Why??? This caused permanent damage to the scutes (top of the shell) and makes healing of the broken pieces impossible. Veterinary consultation and x-rays indicate that in time, new tissue will form beneath the damaged shell.

Recently five fox were released back into the wild after being with us for several months. All of them were admitted as orphans in early spring and now have the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

This immature Merlin was admitted from Sheboygan after colliding with a patio window while trying to escape harrassment by other birds.

An orphaned immature Coopers Hawk was admitted this week from a fellow rehabilitation center.

Back home at last! Jim, one of our Board of Director members and a volunteer, released a turtle that we overwintered last year.

Our mantra at Pine View is "There is no such thing as a pet wild animal".

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