Prelude to Release

This is a short video of a group of baby raccoons that came to EWR from the Virginia Beach SPCA. They were brought there by a wildlife exterminator who had trapped the mother raccoon who was nesting in someones attic and then "relocated." her. The babies were discovered several days later. They have received rabies vaccinations. The door to their pen is now open during the day. This video was filmed on the first day they were allowed to explore the great outdoors which will soon become their permanent home.

The first Raccoon babies of 2011 move outside

The first raccoon babies of the season have been moved to a spacious pen outside. They are still receiving 2 bottle feedings a day and enjoying a more natural diet. They have been exploring some small trees to sharpen their climbing skills and doing some swimming to hone some fishing skills. They have received rabies vaccinations and will be ready to be on their own very soon.

Elliott, gray fox kit

Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge

An interview with Evelyn. Please watch and consider what you can do to help wildlife, improve our environment, and save our planet for future generations.

Roxy, the Red Fox Kit

We were blessed this past week to start Roxy, a young Red Fox kit, on her road to being released back into the wild. Roxy was brought to the Refuge after being discovered on a local golf course. She was alone, possibly abandoned or orphaned, but no sign was ever found of her parents or litter mates. A compassionate animal control officer with the city of Virginia Beach checked Roxy into our Refuge.
We knew that Roxy was healthy and that for her to be successfully rehabilitated and released, she needed to be with other red foxes. We connected with a wildlife rehabiltator who specializes in foxes in Roanoke, VA. They have surrogate fox parents and siblings for Roxy to learn to be a fox with. As much as we would like to see Roxy grow up, we know this is where she needs to be. Good luck, Roxy!! Born to be wild and free!

Baby Mourning Doves

Two baby mourning doves (nestlings) have arrived at the Refuge.....and they did not have to be here. A homeowner cut down a tree, and down came the nest. Mourning doves do not build the most stable nests to begin with. Please PLEASE delay cutting down trees, ANY TREE, until late in the Fall.
We do think they are so darn cute, though! Don't you agree?

Orphaned Baby Raccoons

We have a group of orphaned baby raccoons keeping us busy here at the Refuge. Virginia Beach Animal Control had answered a call at a local residence. It seems there was a "nuisance" raccoon hanging around their property, that the folks trapped and probably destroyed. A few days later, they found the babies, and called Animal Control for a pickup.
It is not unusual for Mamma Raccoon to forage for food during the day. She is very, very hungry and will go to great lengths for her nursing babies. In this case, she looked for food on the property of some ignorant people and she paid with her life. But, these babies got lucky and ended up with a compassionate Animal Control Officer who delivered them to us. They now have a good chance of survival.