Wildlife Rescue

Click here to read a great article about Wildlife Ambulance work

Some tips for understanding wildlife!

HSUS South Florida Wildlife Center
Some pictures from my years on HSUS Wildlife Emergency Response Team

On the road, searching for animals in need

Great Blue Heron, fishing hook through his beak and attached line is restricting his head and neck movement. I had to pursue him through a neighborhood and cross a canal via kayak, but he was successfully rescued and rehabilitated. Remember fishermen and fisherwomen, every little thing you leave behind could place a wild animal in jeopardy!

Ibis, legs were tangled in fishing line on the ground, then he flew to the top of this tree where he became tangled in the branches. Thanks to the Fire Department he was successfully rescued and rehabilitated!

This IBIS was tangled in fishing line, but then he became tangled in the branches but the branch broke off. I had to follow him through a neighborhood as he flew dragging the branch with him. Thankfully the fishing line was able to be removed with minimal damage to his legs, and after a few weeks of rehabilitation at the hospital, I had the honor of releasing back into his habitat.

Pelican suffering from Botulism toxin poisoning. Pelicans and many other sea and marsh birds ingest this neurotoxin after bacteria release the toxin into water where food materials are breaking down (commonly found where humans throw bread in water but the bread rots in the water and creates an environment that is conducive to an explosion of this type of bacterial growth).

Muscovy Duck, leg caught in a chair

To protect her from further damaging her wings and reduce stress while I handle her, a towel is used to contain her and provide safety for her feathers and wings

After checking her out to make sure she had no injuries to her leg, she was happy to be on her way and back in the lake with her buddies!

Juvenile Muscovy Duck, neck wrapped in garbage plastic bag

Large Green Iguanas commonly get stuck in fences. Think about it, for years they run through the fence with ease, the one day, bam! They are stuck. Follow these simple steps to remove them safely and minimize stress for all involved.