A double crested cormorant and a Florida softshell turtle were among the 73 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a snowy egret, a great blue heron, a black skimmer, a burrowing owl, a Florida box turtle and a grey squirrel.
The cormorant was found at Port of the Islands on a weir that is a popular fishing spot. A fisherman saw the cormorant and could tell it was severely injured. …
“Thank you,” it’s one of the first things we teach our children to say and often one of the last sentiments we hope to express. It is a term that cannot be overused and one whose importance cannot be overstated. It can brighten a day; it can unite a people and it’s something we would like to say to everyone that has made the dream of this organization come true.
When the Conservancy first came to be in 1964, I doubt the founders realized how intensely their message would resonate. After all, it was just a few passionate people trying to protect a place they loved. But as it turned out, they weren’t the only ones that loved it, and since our inception, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our mission. …
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A southern flying squirrel was among the 56 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week.
The southern flying squirrel was admitted from Bonita springs after being found on a concrete sidewalk near a condominium. The person who found the flying squirrel moved it to some nearby bushes; when he checked back and saw the squirrel hadn’t moved all day, he brought the squirrel to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital for care.
The juvenile squirrel was underweight and inactive and had an increased respiratory effort when first admitted. Staff suspected it had fallen from some nearby trees and hit the concrete below. Pain medication was administered and the squirrel was placed on oxygen in an animal intensive care unit. When staff checked a short time later, the squirrel was resting calmly and his respiration rate was normal indicating the pain medication was working. …
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A brown pelican was among the 56 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week.
Hospital staff received a call from a member of the public reporting a brown pelican with a broken wing at Lowdermilk Park. …
A northern mockingbird was among the sixty-two animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a black-crowned night-heron, a common gallinule, a ruby-throated hummingbird, a striped mud turtle and three marsh rabbits.
A call was received at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital from a homeowner who had a northern mockingbird stuck between the screen on her lanai and the screen on the lanai on the house next door. …
A Florida red-bellied turtle and a northern mockingbird were among the 62 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a black-crowned night-heron, a common gallinule, a ruby-throated hummingbird, a striped mud turtle and three marsh rabbits.
The Florida red-bellied turtle was found on the side of Davis Boulevard. The turtle was injured after being struck by a passing vehicle. When admitted, the turtle had her legs and head tucked tightly into her shell. The turtle’s carapace was fractured mid-way down the shell. …
September — October 2020
IN THE NEWS
BIG STORIES
POLICY
SCIENCE
WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
VOLUNTEERS
OTHER
STAFF BLOGS
RECENT VIDEOS
Experts and Insights with Joanna Fitzgerald
Observe Your World — A Brand New Mini-Series from the Education Department
SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A bald eagle was among the 65 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a Florida snapping turtle, a yellow rat snake, a prairie warbler, a sharp-shinned hawk and a Brazilian free-tailed bat.
Hospital staff received a call regarding a debilitated bald eagle at the Collier County Landfill. …
The tournament exceeded financial goals with first-ever virtual auction and prize drawing
More than 100 anglers and fishing guides participated in 44 teams in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s 27th annual RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament Oct. 24 and 25. The tournament benefits the Conservancy’s commitment to water quality protection, as well as preservation and enhancement of local fisheries. This year’s event was co-chaired by Conservancy supporters Mokey Shea and Henley Shotwell. Teams fished in guided and unguided teams, using live, artificial or fly bait.
“The tournament is a reminder of one of our region’s greatest treasures: our water,” said Rob Moher, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president and CEO. “Clean water is essential to the Southwest Florida ecosystem, and a lack of it will threaten the region’s economy, fisheries, sea turtles, wading birds and other wildlife.” …
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A young raccoon was among the 53 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week. Other admissions include a painted bunting, a double-crested cormorant, an osprey, an American bittern, two gopher tortoises, and a marsh rabbit.
A resident of Estero rescued the raccoon after finding the youngster with her right hind leg caught in a chain-link fence. On a previous occasion, a black bear destroyed the fence as it went through the yard from the adjacent preserve leaving the fence bent and broken. The raccoon became stuck in the part of the fence that was bent. The physical exam performed upon admission to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital showed the raccoon was exhibiting signs of stress and had an increased respiratory effort. …
About
