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Rescue Stories
Real stories of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
A Sad and Cautionary Tale of a Grey Kit Fox Rescue
The adult humans that found this fox decided it was OK for their 8 year old daughter to play with it. Later, the family brought the fox in to our facility. Foxes are considered a high risk mammal because they can be a carrier of rabies. SWRR personnel are required to report the animal contact to Shasta County Public Health, with the information that the fox had scratched and licked the child.
Unfortunately, the fox had to be destroyed in order for it to be tested for the rabies virus. This healthy, beautiful little fox was put down because the parents didn’t understand the risk. The fox tested negative for rabies. Had the fox not been handled, it could have lived to be set free again in the wild. Please, if you find an animal, handle it as little as possible and get it to a wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible!
Please review the information on our Find a Critter? page for more information on rescuing wildlife and rabies issues.
Duckling Rescue
Shasta Wildlife received a call that a mama duck was dangerously leading her babies across the I-5 northbound on ramp off of Cypress Ave. Traffic was brought to a halt as cars honked their horns and waited for the duck family to cross. A volunteer rescuer went to the location and searched the oleanders on the side of the on ramp.
With the help of two animal control officers, we finally found the duck family. We retrieved the 6 baby ducks, which were about a day or two old, but the mother flew away. We waited to see if she would come back, but she did not return. SWRR took the babies in, and they were cared for until they were released in a safe location.
Happy Ending for Baby Killdeer
Someone brought in a baby killdeer only a couple of days old, found in Anderson River Park. No adults were in sight. After decorating for the Baby Bird Shower, I drove back to the area where it was found and scanned the fields with binoculars.
I eventually found two adults and placed the baby on the ground nearby. Funny thing — when it could hear the adults, it stopped calling and crouched down instead of running around in a panic. The adult watched out for it, and eventually two more babies came out of hiding. They were the same age! The little one even went under Mom to be warmed up. Lesson learned: parental instincts are very strong if we humans would only give them a chance.
River Otter Pup and Kids
A distressed father called — his son and a friend had brought home some baby otters they’d found under an overturned row boat by a creek. A volunteer went immediately, rebuilt the disturbed nest, returned the babies, and gave the children a stern lecture about handling wildlife. The next morning, the parents had rebuilt the entrance and were seen going back and forth from the nest. Another happy ending!
Mama Squirrel Reclaims Babies
Tree trimmers accidentally cut down a branch containing a squirrel nest with 5 very young babies. A volunteer set the baby with a broken leg in a cast and cared for all five overnight. The next morning, the mother was circling the tree. The volunteer placed all five at the base — and mama squirrel took them one by one to her alternate nest! She left the bandaged baby behind, who was successfully raised and released. Even after being handled by humans and gone overnight, she still took them back!
Gray Squirrel Road Rescue
On the way to SWRR, a gray squirrel ran out on the road. Despite evasive driving, it was struck. I pulled up, scooped the stunned squirrel into a carrier, and rushed to the Center. There she decided she’d had enough — darted out of the cage into our medical room, and gave volunteer Marianne quite a bite through thick welder’s gloves! She turned out to be a nursing mother, so we released her right away at the exact spot. She ran past 40 trees and straight up a particular one — she knew exactly which tree was home!
Bald Eagle Rescue and Release to the Channel Islands
This juvenile Bald Eagle was rehabilitated at our center and then flown by a private plane to the Channel Islands to repopulate the area with Bald Eagles. Six other young ones were flown in from Alaska so this 7th one will bring in a new gene pool.
Red Shoulder Hawk Rescue
When SWRR received this Red Shoulder Hawk, he looked in very poor shape — he had more than likely eaten from a poisoned food source. He had to be wrapped in a towel and tube-fed by volunteer Judy. Four days later he had improved greatly. He was later released by volunteer Eloise to join his fellow hawks in the wild.
Rescue of a Nest of Titmice
I had picked up a nest of Titmice at the end of Bowman Road in Cottonwood. On the whole trip back they were dead silent — until I got 2 miles from their destination. All of a sudden, in chorus, they started to sing the rest of the way. I got goose bumps because somehow I knew these little souls knew they were going home.
When I opened the box, all of them flew up beautifully into a big oak tree. They were calling each other — “ARE YOU THERE?” and “YES, I am here.” The woman who had originally rescued them gave me a hug. That was the most awesome experience yet since joining SWRR. I later learned that Titmice are born and die in the same place.
Going Home, Little Osprey
by Marianne D. — A fledgling osprey found in Elk Creek was examined beak to talons. No injuries — just a fledgling that should have been left alone. We knew it was time for release when he flew at me and tried to attack! My husband and I drove him back to the nest location. When I opened the crate he walked out, looked at me, then looked at the open area — I could see his body language change, grateful for his freedom. He flew to the nest and was reunited with a parent within minutes.
Coyote Rescue
by Marianne D. — I rehabbed two coyote pups from June until their release in November 2011. I prepared them by hiding food — hung 6 feet up on fencing one day, buried in dirt the next. They learned to hunt live food. The estimated cost to rehab a single coyote is $4,500 — thanks to donations and road kill deer, we spent about $600 for both. For perspective, one night’s meal alone was 50 mice and 8 quail!
Baby Hummingbird Rescue
A rehabber in Wisconsin contacted us for advice about a baby hummingbird ready to fledge. Our volunteer suggested bringing it back to where it was found. Less than 5 minutes after placing it outside, the mother appeared, hovering around the container trying to reach the baby. The baby flew out, followed the mother, then rested in a hanging plant where mom came to feed it. They were reunited and flew off together.
Audubon’s Rabbit Rescue
Two Audubon’s Rabbits brought from Chico were successfully raised by a volunteer and driven back to release in Upper Bidwell Park. No talking and no music allowed during the trip! Once released in thick cover by the creek, they had plenty of room to hide. These rabbits aren’t found this far north — Chico is the northern extent of their range.
A Squirrel Mother’s Day Story
by Jennifer L. — A baby squirrel fell from a high palm tree. It was too late in the evening for reunion, so the finder kept it safe overnight. The next morning, the mother was chattering loudly. The husband placed the carrier on the neighbor’s roof, opened the door, and waited. Mother called, baby answered, and finally mama squirrel grasped her baby by the belly and scurried up the tall palm to the safety of their home.
PG&E Helps Rescue Barn Owl Trapped in Kite String
SWRR Rescue Stories in the News
- Bald Eagle Flies Free After Rehabilitation — YouTube video
- Bald Eagle Rescue — Caltrans News (February, 2008)
- Bald Eagle Rescue Letter of Appreciation — Caltrans (PDF)
- The Story of Snowshoe the Lynx — Bend Bulletin
- See our News & Articles page for additional stories
Write a Rescue Story! We encourage our volunteers to submit their own stories. Contact us at [email protected]
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