Ambassador Animals
Current Ambassadors
Our ambassadors consist of birds, reptiles, an amphibian, and a mammal at the clinic. Most of our ambassadors were initially admitted as patients and were treated with the intent of release into the wild. Unfortunately, there is a physical or behavioral issue that is preventing them from making a full recovery. Since they cannot fully recover, they are not able to be released back into the wild. Although they live in the clinic and are tolerant of people, these resident animals are not pets. They now serve as ambassadors of their species and help us educate the public about wildlife, conservation, and ecosystem health.
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Basil
Species: American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) Intake Date: October 28, 2024 Basil is our resident American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus). He came to us on October 28, 2024, after being found in Meadowbrook Park…
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Caduceus
Species: Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria) Intake Date: January 23, 2023 Caduceus is our resident Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria). She was a pet that was donated to the College of Veterinary…
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Clover
Species: American kestrel (Falco sparverius) Intake Date: July 1, 2023 Clover is our resident American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) and she was transferred to the Wildlife Medical Clinic on July 1, 2023, from…
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Hazel
Species: Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) Intake Date: February 10, 2017 Hazel is our resident Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). She was brought into the clinic on February 10, 2017.…
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Loki
Species: Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Intake Date: May 21, 2025 Loki, one of our male resident Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), arrived at the Wildlife Medical Clinic on May 21, 2025 from another…
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Maize
Species: orn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) Intake Date: March 31, 2024 Maize is our resident Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus). She came to us on March 31, 2024. She was a former pet that…
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Odin
Species: Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Intake Date: August 15, 1997 Odin is one of our resident male Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and he was found in Fairbury, Illinois. He presented to the…
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Onslo
Species: Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua) Intake Date: March, 2015 Onslo, our resident Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua), is one of our reptile and non-native residents. Onslo’s previous owner was Rose Ann Meccoli, who worked in…
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Pesto
Species: Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Intake Date: September 2, 2025 Pesto, our resident Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), was brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic as a neonate orphan on September 2, 2025.…
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River
Species: Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Intake Date: March 15, 2015 River, our resident Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), was transferred to the Wildlife Medical Clinic from Wildlife Prairie Park on the morning of…
In Loving Memory of our Past Ambassadors
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Bucket
Species: Ball python (Python regius) Intake Date: 2016 Bucket retired as our resident Ball Python (Python regius) ambassador in January of 2023. She is a non-native species that was donated to our…
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Delphine
Species: Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Intake Date: September 2017 Delphine, our resident Virginia Opossum was found in Urbana, IL. She presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic in September 2017 after a well-intentioned…
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Derby
Species: Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) Intake Date: March, 2015 Derby, our resident Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio), was a beloved member of our ambassador program after being transferred to the Wildlife…
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Mikey
Species: Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) Intake Date: 2015 Mikey was an incredible addition to our Education and Outreach Program this past year. During his time with us, Mikey traveled to many PR…
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Noel
Species: Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) Intake Date: December 5, 2006 Noel, our resident Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), was a wonderful member of our ambassador program for nearly 10 years. She…
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Nokomis
Species: Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) Intake Date: April 2003 Nokomis was a wonderful addition to our Education and Outreach Program for 12 years. During his time with us, Nokomis taught a…
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Patty
Species: Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Intake Date: 2021 Patty was our Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) ambassador animal. She was found as a joey in 2020 and cared for by a well-meaning individual…
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Petunia
Species: Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) Intake Date: May 18, 2022 Petunia, our late resident Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), arrived at the Wildlife Medical Clinic from Champaign, IL on May 18, 2022, as…
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Thistle
Species: American kestrel (Falco sparverius) Intake Date: Summer 2012 Thistle was our resident American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), found in Allerton, Ill. She was presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic as a juvenile…
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Vara
Species: Barred owl (Strix varia) Intake Date: March of 2017 Vara was our resident Barred Owl (Strix varia) and was found in Tuscola, Ill. She presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic in…