Raptor Center of Tampa Bay

08/20/2025

This morning, we received a call from Brooksville regarding a coyote. The caller was unsure of the coyote's condition, and we referred her to closer rehabilitation centers. However, they declined to admit the animal due to concerns about potential disease transmission to other animals in their care.
I told the finder Joanna that we would keep trying. I contacted Selena and Renee who are both experienced coyote caretakers, for help in securing the animal. Renee from A-to-Z Menagerie was unavailable. Selena's father stepped up and drove all the way to Brooksville and captured the coyote and transported it to us. Renee immediately arranged for veterinary care. Despite the coyote's critical condition, we were determined to provide every possible intervention. Unfortunately, the coyote suffered two severe seizures, making the decision for us. It became clear that the animal would not survive. Had we received the coyote two to three weeks prior, the outcome may have been different. The coyote's advanced condition, including blindness in one eye, likely contributed to its malnutrition. Our work in wildlife rehabilitation is rewarding, yet days like this are mentally exhausting, especially following the loss of an eagle yesterday. Nevertheless, we take comfort in knowing that we provided every possible care option for the coyote. Sometimes, that is all we can hold onto. Run free baby girl.

08/20/2025

We got a new little squirrel in tonight that has an injured leg. Thanks Kelli from Blue Pearl for contacting us. We did decide to go ahead and bandage her leg because there is a wound that requires moisture. How long she keeps it on her leg is another story! Right now she still has it on. It's been a couple hours. She's resting comfortably and getting ready to eat again. .

08/19/2025

We would like to say thanks to Jacob, a member of our flight team, for rescuing a great horned owl from a school in Lakeland today. Kim K and Schuyler facilitated its transportation to Brandon. Unfortunately, the owl had been entangled in a soccer net overnight. It is essential to note that leaving soccer nets unattended can frequently result in wildlife entrapments. Fortunately, this young owl does not appear to have sustained any fractures, although it is currently unable to fly. We have administered fluids and anti-inflammatory medication, and its condition will be reassessed in the morning. .

08/19/2025

Diminishing habitat equals diminishing food which equates to more territorial battles. Our eagle from Sunday night was found in a subdivision that last year was a farm. At rescue, two additional eagles were proudly perched in nearby trees.
So what specifically is happening to the Eagle? He sustained injuries to its head, mouth, face, left leg, and foot during the fight. After conducting x-rays, the vet did not observe any fractures. We are currently administering wound care, pain meds, physical therapy, and heading to the vet today for possible red light therapy. Every treatment carries the potential for relief but makes you wonder if we are prolonging his life saving him, or is it suffering drawn out, disguised as hope?
Once we have the Bird under anesthesia, it it may be determined that the injuries are too severe. The eagle is receiving antibiotics, pain meds, ofloxin and fluids. It has slight uveitis in both eyes. Due to its compromised state, the eagle is being kept in isolation. It is not exhibiting any neurological symptoms. He weighs 2815g with a body score of 3 minus, with visible wounds and maggots on its head and neck, as well as extensive fly strike, all of which we have treated. Our plan is to have one of our veterinarians assess the eagle's progress. We are hopeful but not optimistic it can survive these injuries. We will let you know how the visit goes today. I also will warn you that the eagle may not make it through the day one way or another. We are doing everything we can to give this bird a fighting chance. But it is severely injured. It is an adult and some of the pictures it doesn't look like that because it's feathers were stained with blood or pulled out. We treated wounds, got rid of fly strike, and maggots and when we treat a bird this severely injured, especially an eagle who are very skittish, you have to minimize the amount of time that you hold and work on them. Its been two long nights wondering whether he would still be alive in the morning. I feel helpless and stand between a fine line of guilt when we choose to euthanize- and the guilt we feel when you don’t. To quote NTWC's Rebecca "It’s their body, their quiet resilience that must lead the charge. My hands help, my heart hopes, but they are the ones who choose to stay or let go. All I can do is stand in the fire with them, hold the line between pain and peace, and promise that no matter what, they were loved, worth fighting for, and deserve comfort."
Update: we are heart broken. The eagle passed away today on its own. Fly free buddy. His body will be sent to the repository in Colorado where Native Americans can apply for a permit to have feathers for ceremonial purposes.


08/19/2025

We ended the evening with another baby squirrel. This one is probably two weeks younger than the one we got last night. This little girl came into Blue Pearl Brandon this afternoon. They had left her out for 24 hours hoping mom would come get her but she never did. They had played the baby squirrel distress sound but unfortunately, no mother squirrel was seen. .

08/18/2025

We consistently state that our services encompass a wide range of wildlife, from baby squirrels to bald eagles. Yesterday was no exception. Immediately after the bald eagle was placed in the incubator for the night, we received a baby squirrel. The eagle underwent x-raying today and remains under our care, still in guarded condition. Thank you to Whitney at Blue pearl-Brandon for x-raying the Eagle for us. 

08/18/2025

We see this every year and we understand people have good intentions. My father used to have an expression that said the road to hell is paved with good intentions! Any animal that is born in a litter needs to be raised with other animals of its kind. Wild animals want to be wild. If you find a baby call, Rehab immediately do not pass go, do not collect $200! Straight to the Rehab. There's no stopping, no letting your kids look at it or worse, touch it. (Don't be "that mom"!) Quiet warm place directly to Rehab. Read more about imprinted animals in the attached post.

08/18/2025

These injuries are the result of a territorial battle between Bald Eagles. We suspect we have an intruder, as two other eagles were observed in nearby trees at the time of rescue. This bird was rescued tonight in Wimauma by Kay Profit, her husband, and Suzy Buchanan, following a referral from Shelley with Birds In Helping Hands. The injuries had a lot of fly strike. We administered treatment for maggots, applied pain medication, and provided fluids. The bird is currently sleeping in an incubator. The eagle's condition is critical, and if it will survive the night is uncertain. If it survives, further examination, including x-rays of one of its feet, will be necessary in the morning.  cross your fingers and say your prayers. He needs all the help he can get! .  .

08/17/2025

This is a typical example of a trap injury. A feral cat rescuer inadvertently trapped this mother opossum last night. When she discovered the opossum this morning, its mouth was stuck to the front of the trap. Upon arrival, she was no longer stuck, but her mouth has sustained injuries consistent with trap trauma, similar to those observed in opossums presenting with unexplained injuries at veterinary facilities. The affected animal clearly exhibits such trauma. This mama opossum will receive treatment and care until her mouth is fully healed, after which she will be released back to her original habitat. If you would like to help sponsor her Care with a donation, we are on PayPal, Zeffy, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash app. We are the raptor center of Tampa Bay based out of Brandon Florida. Our phone number is 813-205-1851.

08/17/2025

Here are some additional events that occurred today. We transferred baby squirrels to our rehabilitation partners at Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue. We extend our gratitude to Barbara for driving them to St. Petersburg on our behalf. We currently have two Barred owls in the flight cage reconditioning for flight in preparation for release. .

08/17/2025

We had a highly successful Saving Animals Workshop today and extend our gratitude to the Bartow public library for hosting the event. We would like to express our special appreciation to Selena for bringing her educational Evening Bats and display, which allowed attendees to see the actual size of bats in Florida. We were also accompanied by Zoe', Carmen, and Baby. The event drew 25 attendees and featured our educational team from the raptor center of Tampa Bay, including Kat, Kim Rexroat, Carol Allen, Suzy Buchanan, Whitney Erb, Maria Brent, Nancy Murrah, Cathy and Lloyd Terry.

08/16/2025

"Maybe if we made room for nature it wouldn't have to fight so hard."

"They eat my flowers and turn over my rocks to look for bugs, and I don’t mind. I have plenty of blackberry bushes for them, and they really enjoyed the cicadas this year.

These bears have been coming here for many years, and I like having them around. Sometimes they send their cubs up a tree while they take a nap on my deck, which seems to be their safe place.

Seeing them come back year after year, raising their babies and feeling safe here, has been the best experience of my life. Maybe if we made room for nature, it wouldn’t have to fight so hard to survive."