I have wanted to volunteer with the Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) since being accepted into the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. My goal is to become a zoo veterinarian, and volunteering in the WMC is the perfect opportunity to work with some of the species I might see throughout my career working with […]
What do Spiderman, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, and the Veterinary Student all have in common? They are all heroes. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamt of becoming a superhero. I pictured myself as this fearless, gallant character in a comic book. A bold superhero who saves the lives of animals and people. […]
At the end of August, an adult male Midland Painted Turtle presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic from a rehabilitator after it was suspected to have been hit by a car. This patient had a fairly severe fracture of his carapace (top of shell) and required extensive treatment to repair it. While receiving these treatments, […]
On February 28, 2023, an adult male lesser scaup presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. This is a type of duck, and they are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females do not look the same. Males have black and white feathers and a blue bill, whereas the females have more brownish colored feathering and […]
The great horned owl, Bubo virginianus, is a common patient seen at the Wildlife Medical Clinic. This species is found throughout most of North America and is easily identified by its “horns” which are actually tufts of feathers. Great horned owls are permanent residents of Illinois and can be found in a variety of habitats. […]
Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are one of the most common hawks in North America, with a range that spans from Alaska to the tropical rainforests of Central America. You can often find them perching on fences and telephone poles, surveying their territory. While you may not have heard their calls in real life, you’ve definitely […]
The veterinary students at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine are some of the most driven and goal-oriented people I have ever met. Knowing this, I wanted to ask my fellow Wildlife Medical Clinic volunteers what their resolutions were for the new year. More specifically what their goals were related to the WMC, […]
We are excited to announce our new incoming junior manager: Tyson Jenkins, class of 2026. Over the next 8 weeks, he will be training alongside our current managers so that he is ready to fill his manager role in March, when our current senior manager, Chloe Dupleix, heads off to clinics. We wanted to learn […]
As winter creeps in, bringing its brisk winds and snowy skies, this feature is about one animal who does not mind these chills! The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) which is an Arctic species that periodically may be seen in Illinois during the winter months. Their characteristic white feathers and dark flecks are perfect in camouflaging […]
This year, an injured, adult common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, was brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic after being spotted with a fishing hook stuck through its tongue. Snapping turtles are native primarily to Central and North America, with some species ranges extending into western Columbia. They are normally found in lakes or slow-moving streams. […]