News

Current Patients

One of our current patients has been labeled a “repeat offender.” He is a brown pelican, and his crime is failing to stay away from monofilament fishing line and hooks. He was first admitted in April of this year, after having been found tangled in monofilament and dangling from a tree. Luckily there were no serious injuries, and he soon recovered. Prior to his release in May, he got some free jewelry. A silver band was placed on one leg, and on the other leg, a black plastic band with two numbers and a letter in white. These are large enough to read without capturing the bird, so that sightings of the banded pelicans can be reported to the bird banding laboratory and their migration patterns can be tracked. In September, he was delivered back to FWH from Port Canaveral by rescue volunteer Everett Tindall. The pelican was wearing a very large fishing lure that was stuck in his wing and back with 2 large treble hooks. He is receiving treatment for his injuries, and will soon be able to be released. We hope he has finally learned his lesson. Above is an example of a banded pelican. Florida Wildlife Hospital bands pelicans in conjunction with the banding program at Pelican Harbour Seabird Station in Miami.

Migration has started!

We started in mid-September to receive the assortment of small warblers that signaled the start of fall migration. Warblers, vireos, gulls and terns have found their way to us with assorted injuries and illnesses. Most are recovering nicely. On October 4 th, we admitted an unusual raptor. A merlin, which is a small chocolate-brown colored falcon, came in with a wing injury. The x-ray did not reveal any fracture in the wing, so when the bruising and swelling are gone, she should be able to continue migrating.

If you would like to contribute for food, care and medications for these birds and the other 3000+ wildlife patients we receive yearly, you may donate online using the donations links of PayPal or JustGive or mail donations to : Florida Wildlife Hospital, 4560 N. US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32935. Check out our website for more information or email to request more information. Thank you for supporting Florida Wildlife Hospital and Florida's Treasure...our wildlife.

Volunteers in Action

University of Central Florida Class Project

We are currently working with two groups of students from the University of Central Florida’s Cornerstone program. The first group, named The Hopeful Seven, is diligently working on fundraising events to provide funding for the care of our educational owls for the next 18 months.

The second group of students, named TIBBIC Business Solutions, is working on raising funds for landscaping, lighting and signs to beautify our entrance and parking lot. This group has tickets available for a chance to win a 3 day Bahamas Cruise for Two. Tickets are $5.00 each, or 5 for $20.00 and are available from team members or at Florida Wildlife Hospital.

Special Thanks

Florida Wildlife Hospital’s mailing address is Melbourne, Florida, but we actually happen to be located in the Town of Palm Shores. It’s a wonderful small town with people who have been very helpful since we moved our facility here nine years ago. We’d like to thank Mayor McCormack and the town council for all of their support.

Events

October is going to be a busy month for FWH Events. We hope you can join us!

Yoga! - Join Linda & Brett Morse at the Yoga Center, 1540 S. John Rodes Blvd, West Melbourne for Friday evening’s “Happy Hour” class. For this special class, the $12.00 fee is donated to charity. FWH is thrilled to be the beneficiary of their generosity each Friday for the months of October and November. Even if you think you can’t do yoga, you can do this! No standing on one leg twisted like a pretzel, it’s all done lying down with soothing music and positions designed to get rid of a week’s worth of stress just in time for a fun weekend

Owl presentation - Wednesday, October 25th, our Educational ambassadors, an Eastern screech owl, and a barred owl, will be at the West Melbourne Public Library, 2755 Wingate Blvd. at 7:00pm for a special presentation about owls given by volunteers Linda & Brian Archer.

Garage sale - On Friday, October 27th, and Saturday, October 28 th, we will be having our fall garage sale at 2425 Henry Ave from 9am to 3pm. You might find a treasure you just can’t live without, and you can help support Florida’s native wildlife.

Hoot at the Park - Saturday, October 28th. Join us for Hoot at the Park organized and presented by UCF’s Cornerstone group, The Hopeful Seven. Tickets are available for $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. This includes music, games, a Halloween costume contest, and a chance to meet FWH’s owls. Come see us between 11am & 3pm at Wickham Park Pavilion #1.

Moo & Boo – The grand opening of Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop will be on Tuesday, October 31st from 5 pm until midnight. Come by and meet our educational ambassadors (they’ll be the ones wearing the owl costumes!) and have some fun!