Below, some news and updates from Wildwoods Rehab. As the thaw comes, we experience what I think of as “Spring Training” — not quite the season opener, but boy, it’s getting busy for our volunteers.

1. Last night, we received a bat who came out of hibernation early. The woman who rescued him and brought him to us did everything right. She picked him up gently in a towel while wearing light leather gloves to protect herself and him. She didn’t let him go (that would have been a death sentence for him right now), but brought him to us. Remember, when rescuing a bat — “protect them, protect yourself — never rescue a bat barehanded.” If you find a bat in trouble, everything you need to know is on this link. Please spread the word!

2. A snowy owl brought to us recently did not survive the night.

Though she was alive at midnight when Ian gave her more fluids, she did not make it through the night. We take comfort knowing that she passed in a quiet, comfortable, safe place, instead of terrified and helpless on the side of the road. Thank you so much to Terry N. for rescuing her yesterday, and driving her all the way from Grand Marais. Also, thank you to all of her well-wishers here. Fly free, beautiful owl!

3. Thank you so much to CHS, Inc., who donated ~1000 lb of grain to Wildwoods! And thank you to Jason Block, who moved it all down two flights of stairs out to the car — you da MAN! Our ducks and geese will feast!!!

4. Grey fox update (but brace yourself; it’s not good): This grey fox was rescued by Jason M. from the side of the road in the Hibbing area, where she’d been hit by a car. Veterinarian Dr. Natalie K. in Hibbing treated the fox for head trauma for 2 days, while we worked on arranging a ride for her down to the Wildlife Rehab Center of MN in Roseville. The vets at WRC have been worried that the fox might be in the early stages of distemper, a fatal neurological viral disease.

Well, they did another blood test, and the results were bad. Her white blood cell count was dropping and they saw “inclusion bodies” in her neutrophils (a type of white blood cell). Both findings were highly suggestive of distemper. Though her neurological signs are unchanged, she would eventually get worse and start having seizures. They don’t want her to suffer, so they euthanized her, before her disease gets to that stage. They tried very hard for her and are very sad about this outcome … so are we. RIP, beautiful grey fox.

5. We’ve created a Wish List at Amazon, and hope you’ll take some time to shop for our babies! Here’s the link. Thanks for all your help!

6. Bobcat: The story of the Bobcat we assisted this week was picked up on WDIO and carried as far away as Seatlle media. For more info, check it out here.

And big shout out to Jason M! He raises feeder mice, and is donating 75 mice to help feed Bob the Bobcat.

Wildwoods is about to get very busy! If you are 18 or older and would like to help out, fill out an application and release (see below), and mail them to Wildwoods, P.O. Box 3161, Duluth, MN 55803, or email them to duluthrehabber @ yahoo.com.

Volunteer application and release:
http://freepdfhosting.com/36d36886be.pdf
http://freepdfhosting.com/7bd8f98a4e.pdf