Wrapping Up a Record-Breaking Year
2024 has been a record-breaking year for Nebraska Wildlife Rehab. Not only did we surpass our 2023 numbers, but we blasted through them and set several records. For most of the year we were about 1,500 patients ahead of the “average” pace we saw in 2023, an almost 20% increase.
Several factors affected the increase in need this year, including a mild 2023-24 winter and some late summer storms that happened at just the right time to affect nesting squirrels and other animals. In fact, this year we admitted 720 eastern fox squirrels, 740 Virginia opossums, and 2,428 eastern cottontail rabbits - our largest number of admissions for those species in the history of NWR.
Baby season is one of the busiest times at the Baldwin Wildlife Center, as spring and summer bring an influx of orphaned, injured, or displaced young animals. From tiny songbirds to baby mammals, these vulnerable youngsters require specialized care, including round-the-clock feedings, medical treatment, and appropriate shelter during their stay with NWR.
Our most mischievous and resource intensive patients are the baby raccoons we receive each year from April –July. As animals with super-sized appetites, a propensity to get into trouble, and a long rehabilitation time (18 weeks), it takes a lot of everything to care for all these little bandits!
Bobcat Kittens Grow Up in Rehab
This summer, NWR received two orphaned bobcat kittens found abandoned and without a mother. Rescued at a fragile age, they were underweight, scared, and completely reliant upon care. Over the course of several months, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to nurture their natural instincts and help them thrive.
Through specialized diets, enrichment activities, and a carefully designed rehabilitation program, these young bobcats have started to develop the skills they'll need to survive in the wild. As winter sets in, they'll remain under our care, growing stronger and more independent every day until their release next year in the spring!
Beaver Kit Makes a Splash at NWR
An orphaned baby beaver came to NWR in May and has become a much beloved patient since her arrival. Under the watchful guidance of our team, she has learned essential skills like foraging, building & swimming.
Beavers are highly social animals with complex developmental needs, and their rehabilitation process is lengthy. This kit will remain with us for the next two years, growing stronger, honing her natural instincts & preparing for eventual release back into the wild.
Hubbard Family Wildlife Hospital
Handling complex medical cases requires advanced skills, specialized equipment, and comprehensive care. Injured animals, from fractured bones to severe infections, often face a slim chance of survival without proper treatment. The addition of a well-equipped veterinary hospital has revolutionized wildlife care by enabling on-site diagnostics, surgeries, and rehabilitation. This capability not only improves survival rates but also ensures animals recover faster and can be released back into the wild in optimal health. It’s a game-changer for wildlife conservation and welfare!
From Rescue to Freedom: Wildlife Returns Home After Rehabilitation
Every aspect of our work—from rescue and medical care to rehabilitation—is focused on preparing animals for a successful return to the wild. Each release feels like an incredible milestone and a celebration of why we do this work! Below are some moments from release day for a few of our wild patients this year.
Hands-On Wildlife Education for Students
‘Forensic Entomology’, ‘Limnology’, and ‘Bat Acoustics’ are not topics generally addressed during the traditional school day, but for students interested in careers in wildlife, they are all integral themes to understanding and conserving our natural resources. While high school biology and ecology may touch on these subjects, there is a key element missing about what our conservation heroes in Nebraska actually do daily, and how they were trained to do their different jobs. From tools and basic skills, to place-based learning opportunities in the field or lab, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab’s High School Science Academy aims to fill that gap in career literacy, and also fulfill part of our vision where youth are educated and inspired to become leaders in environmental conservation and the sciences.
Applications Open Spring, 2025!
We will be accepting applications for 2025-26 school year programming from May 1st-August 1st, 2025. Applicants must have completed at least one high school level science course and be located in the Omaha metro area.
Volunteers Make a Lasting Impact for Wildlife
Volunteers are the heart of NWR, dedicating their time and skills to support our mission, care for injured and orphaned animals, and educate the public. From rescuing wildlife in need to cleaning and assisting at the Baldwin Wildlife Center, their contributions are vital to the wellbeing of our wild patients. Their impact is immeasurable, and we are endlessly grateful for everything they do!
Research & Collaborations
NWR is conducting or collaborating on several research projects right now. An amazing study funded by Jesse, Stacey, and Samuel Coury that tracked anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in Virginia opossums is helping us learn more about one of our most common patients, including how and when we should treat them. We confirmed what we had expected - that opossums likely have higher coagulation times than other native wild mammals and that all of the opossums in our study had been exposed to rodenticides. Dr. Carter is working on the data for publication now and as soon as it’s ready, we’ll share it on our website!
NWR Medical Director, Dr. Allison Carter, will also be teaching a new class at UNL focusing on wildlife necropsy and sample collection. These adventurous students will help us understand the afflictions impacting wildlife and gather data that can be used to improve outcomes for our patients at the Baldwin Wildlife Center!
Working with Drs. Shaun Cross and Mystera Samuelson from UNMC and Dr. Elizabeth VanWormer from UNL, NWR is collecting tick and blood samples to aid their study on tick-borne illnesses in Nebraska. We also have some other interesting study ideas in the works. Stay tuned for details!
For the past few years in Nebraska, there has been increased interest in arboviruses (i.e. West Nile Virus) that can be found in wildlife and are known to affect human health. We are collecting samples to track arboviruses in bird populations and submitting them to Dr. Brent Newman of the CDC to learn more about these viruses and their potential affects on human health.
We also have several research interests focusing on common diseases in our native wildlife that will help us develop better tracking and treatments – data that can be used by biologists, agencies, and rehabilitators across the country.
If you are interested in helping fund this research, please e-mail Laura at laura@nebraskawildliferehab.org
Our Incredible Team
We are truly fortunate to have such an extraordinary team by our side and deeply grateful for their passion, dedication, and tireless efforts that make everything we do possible. Each member brings unique talents and a shared vision that drives our mission forward. Thank you for your hard work, resilience, and the heart you pour into every task!
