Willowbrook Wildlife Center helps injured, orphaned animals
The baby squirrel is wearing a splint because it fractured its front leg in a fall from a tree, explained LuAnn LaSusa, an animal keeper at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.
A less fortunate sibling suffered head trauma and didn't make it.
But this lively, bushy-tailed little one seems to be recovering nicely and gaining weight on moistened rodent chow, formula and fruit.
If all goes well, the baby squirrel will be moved to a bigger cage in the back as it grows larger and then to an outdoor enclosure before it is released back into the wild.
A score of other squirrel babies in the nursery will make the same journey. The busy season - and the baby season - has begun at the wildlife hospital belonging to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
From mid-April to fall, the animals come in waves - first migratory birds, baby squirrels, mallards and goslings. Raccoons, other small mammals and baby birds fallen from nests start arriving in May.
Injured songbirds are brought in throughout the summer. Second litters of baby mammals start in August and continue through September. Migratory birds returning south come through the end of October or even mid-November, depending on the weather.
LaSusa, one of three wildlife keepers at the facility, and wildlife specialist Rose Augustine are ready for them.
"We are a hospital for orphaned and injured wildlife," Augustine said. "We do what we can to get animals fixed up and back in the wild."
They prepare food, clean cages, give medications and keep records on each animal that passes through. Working with staff and volunteer veterinarians who treat the more seriously injured animals, they see familiar situations and the unexpected.
"You don't know what is coming through the door on any given day," LaSusa said.
An angry raccoon found stuck in a sewer and covered with mud is sedated and washed. A great-horned owl that crashed in a soccer net has to be untangled. A bullfrog has a large fish hook removed from its foot. An opossum hit by a car has babies in its pouch.
"The majority are probably people-related," LaSusa said.
The hardest injuries to see are the malicious ones, like the goose that came in with a knife sticking out of its head, Augustine said.
"If animals are blown out of the nest, it's sad, it's too bad," she said. "We can work with that. Malicious injuries are rough."
Caring for wildlifeSandy Fejt, education site manager at Willowbrook, said Augustine and LaSusa are models of dedication in caring for the wildlife under their charge. Both women seek out resources when less common animals are brought in and spend significant time continuing their education, she said."The variety of animals that come here is outstanding," Fejt said. "Both are excellent in working with our volunteers and teaching them."Theresa Davis, a volunteer at Willowbrook on and off for 10 years, said she has been impressed with how the two animal caregivers handle the life-and-death situations they face daily."No matter how busy, how difficult a day is, how hot or freezing cold, they conduct themselves with a consistent professionalism," she said. "They truly amaze me. They are, at all times, courageous and kind."Augustine has been on staff at Willowbrook 11 years, and LaSusa nearly 11. A biology major in college, Augustine worked at Willowbrook for a couple of summers before going full-time."I really fell in love with the rehabilitation process, the whole idea of it, and have been here ever since," she said.LaSusa started as a volunteer, got a degree in biology, worked at a couple other facilities, and was part-time staff at Willowbrook before recently going full-time.She and Augustine care for Willowbrook's wildlife residents year-round, although their busiest season is spring to fall.Their patients include cottontails, white-footed mice, woodchucks, chipmunks, foxes, coyotes, songbirds, raptors, reptiles and amphibians."Anything that you might find in your backyard that is a native animal," Augustine said.Last year, 7,800 animals were brought in, she said. Thirty percent to 40 percent are successfully returned to the wild. LaSusa said that because animals hide their injuries to protect themselves from predators, they may be in a more dehabilitated condition when they arrive."They have a lot of strikes against them," she said.Skunks and bats must be euthanized by state law because they are disease carriers, as well as those too badly injured to survive. Others with permanent injuries that do not allow them to return the wild are kept at Willowbrook where they may be seen by visitors or sent to other facilities."We work with other facilities across the country," LaSusa said.All the mammals must come from DuPage County to be admitted, Augustine said. But Willowbrook works with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors to treat migratory birds found crashed into windows in Chicago.Willowbrook doesn't have the staff to go out and rescue injured wildlife. Staff and volunteers counsel residents who call about how to pick up and transport animals. Residents unable or uncomfortable with handling the animals themselves may be able to get help from their local police department, Augustine said.Educating the publicIn some cases, the wildlife may not need to be brought in at all. Baby cottontails found in a nest in an open area may not be abandoned since the mother comes only at dawn and dusk to feed, Augustine said. Staff members give advice on how to check whether the babies are being fed and how to protect the nest from pets that might find it."Don't remove the babies from the nest. Instead, give it 24 to 48 hours," Augustine said.Fledging birds found on the ground may still be cared for by the parents while they are learning to fly, LaSusa said. Smaller babies fallen from a nest should be returned to it if possible or may be placed in an artificial nest in the area to see if the parents will come, she said."People still think if they touch baby birds, baby animals, mom won't take them back, which isn't true," LaSusa said.They advise people handling wildlife to use gloves - not just to minimize human contact, but to avoid bites or parasites the animals might carry.People who bring in wildlife babies aren't always keen on returning them to nature, LaSusa said. But when they do take the babies back in a nest box and see mom claim them, they are amazed, she said.Staff and volunteers also give advice on dealing with wildlife that has become a nuisance. If squirrels or raccoons have decided to nest in the attic, check if they have babies before sealing their entrance. A radio or flashing Christmas lights might encourage the mother to relocate, Augustine said.A field trip destination for Scouts, youth groups and families, Willowbrook offers educational programs for both children and adults. Informational guides available at the center and on Willowbrook's website describe natural animal behaviors and how to respond to them.Any suburban resident is likely to have a firsthand encounter with wildlife at some time and Willowbrook is there to help, Augustine said."People who have been here the first time, they don't forget us," she said. "(But) we do hear a lot of that, 'I never knew you were there.'"If you goWhat: Willowbrook Wildlife CenterWhere: 25525 Park Blvd., Glen EllynHours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed some holidaysCost: FreeInfo: (630) 942-6200 or willowbrookwildlife.comHow to helpWillowbrook Wildlife Center accepts donations of food and supplies to help care for injured and orphaned animals. The following are some of its needs during the baby season. A full list may be found on its website, willowbrookwildlife.com.bull; Rodent chow (for squirrels)bull; Iams kitten chow (songbirds, opossums)bull; Duck chowbull; Puppy chow (raccoons)bull; Sunflower seedbull; Safflower seedbull; Thistle seedbull; Earthwormsbull; Cricketsbull; Laundry detergentbull; Soft, white facial tissuebull; Paper towelsTrue13662000Wildlife specialist Rose Augustine bottle-feeds a baby fox squirrel.Bev Horne | Staff PhotographerTrue