The Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital at Cornell University

06/16/2025

Just a few of the 122 patients that we admitted to the Swanson Wildlife Hospital this past week. Bring on week 3 of June, our busiest month every year!

06/08/2025

Wish we could say were taking a nice long snack break over this past month, but we have barely had time for snacks! In this busy time of year, all of our energy is internally focused on caring for our many hospitalized and incoming patients. In the month of May, we saw 353 wild animal patients, and have admitted 99 just in the first week of June! Stay tuned for some glimpses into our busy summer days at the Swanson Wildlife Hospital...

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day, to all of the mothers and motherly figures (animal and human) who nurture and protect. 🌼

05/06/2025

Turtles are on the move again now that temperatures in the northeast are warming, so keep an eye out on for them on or near roads. If you decide to help one across, keep it going in the same direction it was headed (and be extra careful if it is a snapping turtle!).

If you do find one that has been injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator so that it can receive the care it needs.

05/01/2025

Sometimes our work extends outside of the hospital walls. Kate Alexy, DVM'26 recently participated in fieldwork as part of our collaborative research investigating the health of migrating sharp-shinned hawks. Fresh spring air, wildlife health research, and hands-on experience with native raptor species - a marvelous combo!

📷

04/22/2025

04/16/2025

An INCREDIBLE journey...

It is difficult to fathom what this young red-tailed hawk went through over the last several months, and even more unbelievable that he has made it to the point of release.

This young hawk was hit by a semi-truck on a busy highway in Iowa in November of 2024. He was stuck in the grill, and the truck continued to drive approximately 80 miles before pulling into a rest stop. The driver removed the hawk and tossed it aside on the ground. This event was witnessed by a another (kind-hearted) truck driver, who rescued the hawk and put it in his cab, with the plan of getting the hawk to a wildlife rehabilitator that he knew in New York. Making a quick detour to California on the way, hawk and driver made their way back to central New York and Woodhaven Wildlife Center. Recognizing the serious injury to the hawk, it was brought to us at the Swanson Wildlife Hospital.

The hawk, now nicknamed "Iowa", had a fracture in his right leg. Since it had happened several days prior and had not been stabilized, it was a difficult surgical repair. After surgery, physical therapy, laser therapy, and battling a foot infection over almost 4 months, "Iowa" was finally transferred to a few weeks ago for rehabilitation and conditioning. We are overjoyed to hear that he is now ready for freedom!

Follow Finger Lakes Raptor Center, Inc. on Facebook and Instagram to see more about his release!

04/15/2025

It's that time of year when baby eastern cottontails are everywhere! Here are some reminders to help minimize disturbances:

1. Check before you mow or garden. Their nests are shallow depressions in the ground under grasses and fur. If you find one, minimize activity around the area until the babies are out of the nest at 3-4 weeks of age. 🌾

2. Don't expect to see the mother in or at the nest - she only returns near dusk and dawn to feed them.🐰

3. Keep pets inside or on a leash if you have a nest in your yard.🐱🐶

If do you find one that is injured, put it in a container in a warm quiet location, do not try to feed it, and immediately contact your local wildlife rehabilitator so it can get the specialized help it needs.

04/07/2025

How about beginning your week enjoying photos of this tiny orphaned bear cub? Weighing just over 5 pounds, she spent a few days in the hospital getting a thorough checkup and gaining strength before heading off to rehabilitation. 🐻

04/01/2025

We have always been proud of our ability to accept sick or injured wild animals at our hospital anytime – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sadly, our staffing levels and resources are no longer sufficient to provide this service.

Beginning immediately, we will no longer be admitting wildlife emergencies after midnight. The hours that we are able to admit wildlife emergencies (outside of our normal weekday business hours) will be 6pm-12am on weekdays, and 8am-12am on weekends. After midnight, our on-call team will still be available to receive phone calls regarding wildlife emergencies and provide resources and guidance.

Please see our website for further information about our hospital, and how to contact us:
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/janet-l-swanson-wildlife-hospital

03/30/2025

Our first spring baby has arrived - a nestling great horned owl! Found on the ground when its nest was blown from the tree, it was soon joined by a sibling that was discovered a day later. Bruised and battered, they are now resting comfortably and receiving expert care.

03/25/2025

We are thrilled to learn that one of our previous patients is thriving in the wild, years after hospitalization for a wing fracture and a collaboration with Messinger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center for rehab and release! 🎉🦅