Animals in Education

The permanent residents at the Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center help our staff and volunteers in different ways. Some, like Crow Baby, an American Crow, and J.J., a Ring-billed Gull, act as foster parents for orphaned animals of their kind in our nursery and in our outdoor wildlife exercise enclosures. Crow Baby's legs were broken when he fell from his nest as an infant. He received treatment at our Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, but he can't be released due to a resulting permanent handicap. J.J. was found badly injured and received care at another wildlife hospital. J.J. can't fly well enough to be released, but he enjoys spending three seasons of the year outdoors with convalescing gulls in our pre-release exercise aviaries.

Four of our permanent residents, however, live a much more glamorous lifestyle. They work with WHS educators to teach the public about wildlife and how to live harmoniously with wild animals.

Talon

Talon is a Peregrine falcon, an endangered species in Wisconsin. Before Talon came to us, he was trained by a falconer to sit on a gloved hand and return to the falconer's glove for food. Talon and the falconer worked together to scare other birds away from airports. This protected the airspace for passengers on airplanes. Talon is now a valued member of our education team. You can find him greeting guests at special WHS events and helping teach people to be compassionate to wildlife in our education programs. From time to time, Talon even makes guest television appearances on local TV stations!

Picasso

Picasso is an Eastern Screech Owl, admitted to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with a severe injury to one eye and a severely fractured wing. He was found on the road, so it’s likely he was hit by a car. Picasso had surgery to stabilize his fractured wing bones so they could heal. He also had weeks of treatment to his damaged eye, and physical therapy for his healing wing. But despite the best of care, Picasso’s injuries have left him with permanent handicaps that prevent him from being released to the wild. So, this lucky little owl now has a second life here at the Wisconsin Humane Society, helping us educate people about the need to treat wildlife with respect and kindness.

Sonny and Cher

Sonny and Cher are two sibling female mallards who were brought to the Wisconsin Humane Society after they were illegally hand-raised by a misinformed, but well-meaning person. As ducklings, their finder unknowingly fed them a diet deficient in calcium, and as a result, the ducks developed “metabolic bone disease,” which left some of their bones weakened and bowed. For this reason, they can’t fly or walk normally. Sonny and Cher are a perfect example why it is a bad idea (and illegal) to keep wild animals as pets, and why it is so important to immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator when you find a wild animal that needs help. These ducks are now part of the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s team of education animals, helping us teach others about how they can prevent needless injury, illness and death for wild animals in our community.

Our permanent residents require specialized care in order to maintain their health. From exercise regimens to diets particular to their needs, funds are always needed to support them. If you would like to make a contribution to one of our permanent residents, click here to make a donation.