fuerte24tip

This mother opossum was admitted to TreeHouse in the spring of 2016 after being hit by a vehicle. She was carrying a pouch full of opossum joeys at the time. Luckily, she was able to make a full recovery and was released back into the wild along with all of her babies. This video captures a moment when one of her babies decided to wander around a little in their hospital enclosure and then demonstrates the sound an opossum joey makes when it calls for its mother.

Emrys the Bald Eagle was admitted to TreeHouse in March of 2015 after being hit by a vehicle in Salem, IL. Unfortunately, he received a permanent wing injury and could not be released back into the wild. A curious and relaxed bird, we decided to train him for education. He is now TreeHouse's first education and outreach Bald Eagle.

During the final week before their return to the wild Belle and Bobbie investigate a variety of novel natural items introduced to their enclosure to stimulate their natural hunting and foraging behaviors. At nearly six months of age, Bobbie has proven himself capable of fending for himself in the wild, having learned the skills he will need from watching his mother. You can watch video of the two bobcats' release here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWHfPy...

A wild bobcat and her kitten at TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL. In the first video clip, you can just catch a glimpse of the baby squirming around in the bottom right of the den. For more information about the bobcat, go to http://treehousenotebook.wordpress.co.... More video to come as the kitten gets older.

With the date for their release back to the wild set, Belle and Bobbie, the two bobcats at TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL, seem ready for a new adventure. This series of videos from the last week of September 2012 show the bobcats investigating new enrichment items as well as more of the strong bond between this caring mother and her rambunctious son.

This Bald Eagle was admitted with lead poisoning to our center in Dow, IL. Fortunately, after a month of supportive care, the eagle made a full recovery and was cleared to move to our new flight enclosure to start preparing for release. This is a video of that bird's first flight. After spending a few weeks in the flight enclosure to get its strength back, this bald eagle was released back into the wild.

As Bobbie grows and continues to explore new areas of the cage, both bobcats have been spending time in more diverse locations throughout the day. We moved the camera back to its original location because they seemed to be spending more time around the elevated den box. Watch as Bobbie practices climbing and jumping!

A wild bobcat mother and kitten at TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL. Belle was hit by a car in March of 2012, and about 5 weeks later, to the surprise and delight of her caretakers, she gave birth to a kitten: "Bobbie". This short compilation of videos shows Bobbie grow from a squimy blob at the back of the den to a rambunctious, playful kitten. The two bobcats are slated for release back into the wild when Bobbie is old enough.

One of the best parts of wildlife rehabilitation is releasing the animals back into the wild! These young ones all came in as orphans during the spring season and are now old enough to take care of themselves. Best of luck out there!

A remastered version of our original video of the construction of our flight cage back in 2013.

Pictures and video from the third week after the birth of a wild bobcat kitten at TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL. Although Bobbie has not yet ventured outside the den box, we are starting to see a lot more of her on camera. We can also see what an attentive mother Belle is, as she is constantly checking in at the den box as she moves around the cage.

These two Barred Owl nestlings were admitted to our center in the spring of 2015 as orphans. They spent their first few weeks in the hospital being raised by our amazing permanent resident, foster dad Barred Owl, Jack. Eventually, as they got bigger, they were moved to an outdoor flight enclosure where they were able to get the strength in their wings and practice hunting. After that, they were released back into the wild. This video is from a trail cam that was kept on their hospital cage for a few days.

Meet Hazel, the Western Hognose Snake! Also known as the Plains Hog-nosed Snake, this species lives in the sandy prairies of North America. The Western Hognose is listed as threatened in the state of Illinois, mainly due to loss of habitat.
Due to their protected status, individuals in the state of Illinois must be licensed to have a Western Hognose in their possession. Hazel was kept as a pet illegally and was therefore confiscated by the Department of Natural Resources. She was then transferred to our center to become an education animal.

Chuckles the Red Fox and Zorro the Gray Fox are permanent residents at TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL.

Chuckles came to TreeHouse in 2007 from St. Libory, IL as a fox kit after being attacked by a dog. She gained permanent neurological damage and was declared non-releasable.

Zorro came to TreeHouse in 2009 from Elsah, IL after being found with his sibling in bad shape near the bike trail. The den was found as well and it appeared their mother had been killed by whatever had attacked them. Zorro has a permanent back injury from the incident and was declared non-releasable.

In 2010, TreeHouse moved to our new facility in Dow, IL where we were able to build a large enclosure for the two foxes complete with hollow logs, platforms, and den boxes. The two were originally housed side by side but became fast friends so we decided to open the door between their enclosures. The two are best friends and share the full fox duplex!

These two not only provide the public the chance to see and learn about our native foxes but they also provide a service to the center by assisting with the care of orphaned foxes that we admit every year. The two take this job very seriously and have been excellent foster parents!

Pictures from the admission examination and initial treatment of Belle, the bobcat hit by a car in Belleville in March. Belle suffered a concussion and was unconscious for much of the first few days. Treatment was given at Hawthorne Animal Hospital and TreeHouse Wildlife Center. For more details, visit http://treehousenotebook.wordpress.co....

Chuckles the red fox moved to TreeHouse Wildlife Center's new facility in Dow this week. In this video, she meets two orphaned kits that she will be fostering until their release.

Chuckles came to our center from St. Libory, IL in April of 2007. She had been found and shaken by a dog as a tiny kit and was severely injured. During her rehabilitation it became obvious that she had permanent neurological damage due to some unusual behaviors. One of her more unusual behaviors that she is popularly known for, and what she was named for, is her excessive "laughing" when she gets excited. Chuckles works as a foster parent at our center, helping us raise young fox kits every year with the help of her permanent companion Zorro, a gray fox.

This video was taken when the enclosure was just finished. It now includes large hollow logs that she loves to sleep in and foliage as well as raised platforms and large den boxes.