The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota provides
quality medical care and rehabilitation for all injured,
sick and orphaned wildlife, and shares its knowledge
with the people who care about them.

Our patients change on a regular basis and are somewhat predictable: in the fall and spring we have migrants that are passing through. From mid-April to early August, we're busy caring for orphaned and sick infants and juveniles. During the winter we're bound to have bats and turtles, but we'll also usually have an assortment of waterfowl such as swans, pelicans and geese.

Check back often: we try to update the site every time an interesting patient comes in. (you can register for our emails, too. they're a great way to stay informed!)

Admit: 11-15-09 :: Sex: U :: Location: Arden Hills

Found in the client's basement, this tiny garter snake probably had chosen an unfortunate hibernation location. We see many snakes and frogs throughout the winter as a result of disturbed hibernation.

Prognosis: This little snake should be ready for release as soon as spring comes!

Admit: 10-18-10 :: Sex: U :: Location: Cedar

This Gray Tree Frog joins three other tree frogs while they wait for spring. Oftentimes frogs and snakes will choose to hibernate in a flower pot. When that pot is brought inside for over-wintering, the soil warms and the animal awaks from hibernation: much to the delight of the clients who find them.

Prognosis: Good!

Admit: 8-28-09 :: Sex: U :: Location: Dassel

This cormorant may win the longest stay award. It was admitted as a juvenile in late August due to an inability to fly. Our vets found an injury to its left wing muscles and nerves that prevented it from extending its wing all the way.

We were hoping a course of physical therapy would help restore the muscle strength and the bird's ability to fly.

Several months later our vets determined it'll never regain full use of its wing and began looking for potential placements sites instead of release sites.

After trying to place the cormorant with an aquarium in California, and having been patient waiting for paperwork to go through on their end, we've decided we cannot wait any longer. We've found this great bird a new home with the Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City!

Prognosis: We anticipate it leaving sometime in the next 10 days.