Rowena Wildlife Clinic

02/27/2025

We’re looking to get in contact with the folks who rescued this squirrel from the upper Hood River valley late last year. The squirrel had gotten entangled in a tree branch and hurt her tail and spine on the way down.

If this was you, please send us a message on Facebook!

(FYI community: baby squirrel season is upon us! We’ll share some helpful info in the upcoming weeks.)

09/28/2024

Looking for something to do tonight? Come to The Ruins in Hood River from 6-9 for a blues concert and a benefit for our clinic! Tickets are $40 at the door.

We’ll have a silent auction to raise additional funds with amazing local goods like e-bike tours, rafting trips, wine tastings, art, photography, and more!

All profits support RWC and our sister clinic, Mountain Top Wildlife.

07/03/2024

Happy 4th of July weekend! Please remember that wildlife startle from the fireworks and often leave their nests or dens as a reaction. They might be darting across roads or flying erratically, and one easy way we can help them is to drive slower and more mindfully this holiday weekend!

Here are three of our current patients, all suffering from the result of vehicular collisions:

📷 1: Fox kit, orphaned when mom was hit by car, rescued by ODFW
📷 2: Bald Eagle, suffering from lead poisoning likely leading to a vehicle collision and severe head trauma, rescued by WA state patrol
📷 3: Western Screech Owl, head trauma from a vehicle collision

04/27/2024

Hi friends! Did you know our sister clinic in White Salmon, Mountain Top Wildlife, is on Facebook? Give them a follow for more wildlife updates in the Gorge area!

What should you do if a squirrel approaches you, like the one in the photo below? Call our wildlife hotline at 541-615-1565! The squirrel is likely in need of medical attention.

Young squirrels will approach humans when they are starving and cold and are frantically looking for a ‘mother’ figure to help them.

Mountain Top Wildlife can help orphaned squirrels like this. We provide medical care for hypothermic and starving squirrels, who require delicate warming and re-feeding so their systems aren’t overloaded. Our rehabilitation process also helps young squirrels develop natural behaviors (think: foraging for nuts, building nests) so they can be successfully released back into the wild.

We’re grateful to the rescuer from Vancouver who called Mountain Top for advice about this squirrel, and we were able to connect him with a rehabber in his area.

03/22/2024

Join us this Saturday from 9-12 at UCD’s TreeFest at Rheingarten Park in White Salmon! Ash and Dr. Dave will be at our table answering wildlife questions and providing updates about our sister clinic’s progress, Mountain Top Wildlife! Our education Great-Horned Owl will also be joining them. 🦉

12/21/2023

We have two Varied Thrushes in the clinic right now, one with a coracoid fracture (by the shoulder) and one with a ‘hand’ fracture. We hope to release both back to the wild within a few weeks.

In warmer months, these birds are found up toward the mountain, deep in the conifer forests where they munch on insects. In the winter and during heavy snowfall, they journey to the open—like the Hood River Valley—where they feast on winter berries, nuts, and fruit.

Next time you glance outside, see if you notice any Varied Thrushes visiting your yard! Their size and coloring is similar to that of an American Robin.

11/23/2023

Today and every day we are thankful for YOU! Your continued support allows us to rehabilitate wild animals for release back to the wild.

One current patient at our clinic is this Northern Saw-Whet Owl, who came to us with head trauma after flying into a window. He will be released next week!

Text ROWENA to 443-21 to make a donation. A $10+ donation will support this fierce fluff-ball until he flies back to the wild. 🦉🙏🏼

10/16/2023

Looking for a plans this Saturday? Come see Tia Carroll at Hood River Inn (Best Western Gorge Room). Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tia-carroll-benefit-for-rowena-wildlife-clinic-tickets-718228509807?aff=oddtdtcreator

All profit goes directly toward Rowena Wildlife Clinic! A live auction for local goods and services will also take place. Don’t miss out!

10/14/2023

This teeny Yellow-rumped Warbler is currently in our care with broken metacarpal bones (the ‘hand’ bones). Luckily, this injury doesn’t require surgery. The Warbler instead has a small splint. We hope to get it back out to the wild soon so it can continue on migration.

In this photo you can see Dr. Jean holding the Warbler steady while it participates in a mealworm tea party. As an insectivore, it is used to eating food on the wing (while flying); thus, we have to be creative in how we present food—hence, the smooshed mealworm guts on a platter seen here. 🥴

Please remember that we’re rehabbing even when we’re not posting on social media! Your donations allow this work to be possible. Text ROWENA to 44321 to donate.

06/16/2023

Folks near The Dalles library might be surprised to see this bird of prey—a juvenile branchling Red Tailed Hawk—hanging out and calling to his parents!

A bird in the branchling phase has ventured out of the nest to rest on nearby branches. The birds will often practice flapping their wings in preparation for the fledgling phase when they learn to fly. Birds in these stages often don’t need our help, but be sure to snap a photo (from a safe distance) to send to us and give us a ring if you are unsure of the bird’s safety.

Thanks to Sally and her neighbor for the photo, and kudos to Jane Baker from animal control for checking on the bird. We love our community of wildlife friends!

06/12/2023

SUCCESS STORY!

This juvenile Bushtit was successfully rehabilitated and released back to the wild!

Many people might think the larger birds, like Eagles, take the most time to work with. But you might be surprised at how much time and energy a little bird like this requires too.

This Bushtit came to us with a wing injury. It could fly horizontally but could not gain elevation. We treated similarly to other birds of its size (like Hummingbirds) with lots of rest and lots of food.

But insectivores don’t always readily eat in a rehab setting. That means: Dr. Jean and team + forceps + several hours of patiently holding mealworms out for the Bushtit until it eats.

Eventually the Bushtit resumed eating on its own, and it also regained flight strength. It was released where found, where a flock of Bushtits resides.

06/09/2023

We receive so many calls this time of year about fawns who are found alone. We’d like to help you know when to intervene and when to leave the fawns alone!

A doe will leave her fawn(s) during the day while she browses for food. It’s safer for the fawns, who are not strong enough to outrun predators. Fawns will curl down to sleep in brush, under trees, or sometimes in your yard! They will ‘freeze’ if they sense danger—it’s their way of looking invisible. 😆

When to call a rehabilitator (do this before moving a fawn):
1. It has obvious injuries, like open/bloody wounds or broken limbs.
2. The mother is dead next to it.
3. It did not move locations overnight AND appears listless or ill.

We are always available to answer your questions or concerns about fawns! Please be open to our advice and trust that we have the best interests in mind for these little creatures—we don’t want to kidnap them from their mamas!