Wildlife Rescues
2012 Rehabilitation Patient Mini-Montage
Top row, left to right:
Eastern cottontail bunnies from three different litters: The first litter’ of three had their nest destroyed by an outdoor domestic cat, two siblings were killed in the attack; the second litter’s mother was found in the road, having been killed by a car; the third litter was “kidnapped” by humans with good intentions – but a lack of knowledge about the wildlife living in their backyard. The homeowners assumed that since the mother was not in the nest or nearby in the yard, they had been orphaned. In all likelihood, mom was intentionally not near the nest while foraging so she did not attract attention to the babies in her nest.
Orphaned Virginia opossums - eight siblings were rescued from a homeowner’s shed where they were found crawling and suckling on their recently deceased mother. We suspect that mother died from exposure to rat poison in the shed. Opossums are the only marsupial found in the United States. Luckily, we were able to flush the toxins from the joeys with fluids. The babies were transferred to other rehabilitators in our network and all have survived.
Raccoon – this five week old cub was orphaned when her mother and two siblings were crushed when the tree that their nest was in was cut down. We nicknamed her “Tickey” because the poor cub was completely covered in ticks when she arrived. The ticks were removed one by one and she was given fluid therapy. Tickey was released Into the Wild with three other orphaned raccoons we raised during 2012.
Gray squirrel: juvenile siblings, peeking out of their outdoor, pre-release nest box in anticipation of the arrival of breakfast as they hear us approach. The siblings were found at the base of a tall tree after an early summer thunderstorm, where a nest sat empty. Since their mother had not come to retrieve them for at least 24 hours, we assume she was unable to return for her babies.
Bottom row:
Red-ear slider turtle hatchling. “Sal” is a relatively new edition at Into the Wild, Inc. Although it is illegal to sell turtles less than four inches long in the United States, the red-ear slider has become one of the most popular “pets” in the United States among families with young children. This turtle was illegally sold at a county fair, to a teenager. The parents quickly researched the species and found out that the chances of its survival at this age are slim when raised by inexperienced persons. Unfortunately, turtles are often purchased by persons with little knowledge of how to properly care for these animals. Sal weighed 7 grams on intake, and was no more than one inch long. Two months later, he is 49 grams and 2.5” long!
Eastern cottontail bunnies from three different litters: The first litter’ of three had their nest destroyed by an outdoor domestic cat, two siblings were killed in the attack; the second litter’s mother was found in the road, having been killed by a car; the third litter was “kidnapped” by humans with good intentions – but a lack of knowledge about the wildlife living in their backyard. The homeowners assumed that since the mother was not in the nest or nearby in the yard, they had been orphaned. In all likelihood, mom was intentionally not near the nest while foraging so she did not attract attention to the babies in her nest.
Orphaned Virginia opossums - eight siblings were rescued from a homeowner’s shed where they were found crawling and suckling on their recently deceased mother. We suspect that mother died from exposure to rat poison in the shed. Opossums are the only marsupial found in the United States. Luckily, we were able to flush the toxins from the joeys with fluids. The babies were transferred to other rehabilitators in our network and all have survived.
Raccoon – this five week old cub was orphaned when her mother and two siblings were crushed when the tree that their nest was in was cut down. We nicknamed her “Tickey” because the poor cub was completely covered in ticks when she arrived. The ticks were removed one by one and she was given fluid therapy. Tickey was released Into the Wild with three other orphaned raccoons we raised during 2012.
Gray squirrel: juvenile siblings, peeking out of their outdoor, pre-release nest box in anticipation of the arrival of breakfast as they hear us approach. The siblings were found at the base of a tall tree after an early summer thunderstorm, where a nest sat empty. Since their mother had not come to retrieve them for at least 24 hours, we assume she was unable to return for her babies.
Bottom row:
Red-ear slider turtle hatchling. “Sal” is a relatively new edition at Into the Wild, Inc. Although it is illegal to sell turtles less than four inches long in the United States, the red-ear slider has become one of the most popular “pets” in the United States among families with young children. This turtle was illegally sold at a county fair, to a teenager. The parents quickly researched the species and found out that the chances of its survival at this age are slim when raised by inexperienced persons. Unfortunately, turtles are often purchased by persons with little knowledge of how to properly care for these animals. Sal weighed 7 grams on intake, and was no more than one inch long. Two months later, he is 49 grams and 2.5” long!

Facts about pet turtles
Disease Transmission to Humans
Turtles and other reptiles frequently carry the bacteria Salmonella, which causes the illness, Salmonellosis, in humans. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting between 12-72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. Proper hand washing can prevent illness.
Red-ear sliders
Caging and Care Requirements:
Although we believe that Sal and other aquatic turtles should not be kept as pets, Sal is not native to New York State so he cannot be released Into the Wild. We have a responsibility to ensure that non-native pets that escape or are released do not become invasive species that harm native wildlife populations. Sal has been given the important job of Animal Ambassador for Into the Wild, Inc. He will help us teach children why owning pet turtles may not be as great as it sounds, both for the children and the turtle.
Please educate yourself before purchasing any pet, especially exotic species.
Turtles and other reptiles frequently carry the bacteria Salmonella, which causes the illness, Salmonellosis, in humans. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting between 12-72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. Proper hand washing can prevent illness.
- Salmonella does not cause illness in turtles.
- Most people recover from Salmonellosis within one week; however, children under 5-years of age, the elderly, pregnant women and immune-compromised persons are at an increased risk of developing more serious complications from the illness.
- Salmonellosis outbreaks among children linked to pet turtles, are common (however, Salmonellosis outbreaks are most commonly caused by contaminated food sources).
- Young children often do not wash their hands properly and have been known to put small turtles, like Sal, in their mouths. The FDA banned the sale of turtles less than 4” long in 1975 due to the risk of serious illness among children under the age of 5 with pet turtles.
- Turtles less than 4” long continue to be sold illegally in the United States.
- If you own a turtle or other reptile, be sure to wash your hands after handling the animal and any materials in its tank, including the water. Clean all surfaces the turtle has come into contact with. Consult with an experienced turtle handler (not generally found in local pet stores).
Red-ear sliders
- Many hatchlings raised as pets do not survive the first 1-2 years of life. Those that do can live up to 40 years – a long term commitment on the part of the owner.
- Red-ear sliders do not reach maturity until they are 4-5 years old; therefore, we will not know Sal’s gender for several more years.
- Red-ear sliders are native to the southeastern United States and prefer warm climates; however, the pet trade and the lack of knowledge many owners have prior to purchasing red-ear sliders has led to escaped turtles and intentional release all over the world.
- The red-ear sliders range has significantly expanded and continues to expand in to northern areas of the United States.
- They are considered an invasive species in some areas of the world, as they have been successful in establishing sustainable populations.
Caging and Care Requirements:
- Hatchlings have different diet requirements than adult turtles to ensure proper development.
- Red-ear sliders are aquatic turtles and need both dry areas in their tank to bask in UV A and B lights and deep water housing.
- A full grown red-ear slider will need a 100 gallon tank, at a minimum.
- The temperature of the water and basking areas must be maintained at specific temperatures.
- A water heater and filter are essential requirements for their tank.
- Although direct, natural sunlight is best for the health of the turtle, UBV light is required for indoor caging basking areas.
- The equipment and housing required for aquatic turtles costs significantly more than most other pets. If you are still considering purchasing an aquatic turtle, consider that Sal has been our most expensive rescue to date; his initial 10 gallon tank and equipment cost over $200. He will soon need a larger, more expensive tank.
Although we believe that Sal and other aquatic turtles should not be kept as pets, Sal is not native to New York State so he cannot be released Into the Wild. We have a responsibility to ensure that non-native pets that escape or are released do not become invasive species that harm native wildlife populations. Sal has been given the important job of Animal Ambassador for Into the Wild, Inc. He will help us teach children why owning pet turtles may not be as great as it sounds, both for the children and the turtle.
Please educate yourself before purchasing any pet, especially exotic species.
"Sal"

Update, August 2013:
We enjoyed watching and helping him develop from tiny hatchling about the size of a half-dollar. Sal outgrew his tanks several times until he settled awhile in a 50 gallon - the largest tank we could accommodate. While his antics were always amusing, we knew he was not meant to live his life in a mere 50 gallons of water without other turtles and a frequent change of scenery and foods. It would be selfish of us to keep him captive. Sal belonged somewhere that he had room to roam, even if it wasn't a truly wild place.
In July 2013, Sal went to live at a private sanctuary with various other turtles species, including female sliders, and a variety of other displaced wildlife. We are confident that Sal is happier at the sanctuary where he can find a mate and live a long life in an environment as close as possible to what nature intended.
We enjoyed watching and helping him develop from tiny hatchling about the size of a half-dollar. Sal outgrew his tanks several times until he settled awhile in a 50 gallon - the largest tank we could accommodate. While his antics were always amusing, we knew he was not meant to live his life in a mere 50 gallons of water without other turtles and a frequent change of scenery and foods. It would be selfish of us to keep him captive. Sal belonged somewhere that he had room to roam, even if it wasn't a truly wild place.
In July 2013, Sal went to live at a private sanctuary with various other turtles species, including female sliders, and a variety of other displaced wildlife. We are confident that Sal is happier at the sanctuary where he can find a mate and live a long life in an environment as close as possible to what nature intended.
Into the Wild, Inc. Publications
Dumpster Diving Anyone? (March 2014)
The Mystery Pinkie (August 2013)
Snapping Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation (July 2013)
Human Imprinting: The 'Dangers' of Raccoon Rehabilitation (2012); Addendum (2014)
The Mystery Pinkie (August 2013)
Snapping Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation (July 2013)
Human Imprinting: The 'Dangers' of Raccoon Rehabilitation (2012); Addendum (2014)
Please support your local wildlife rehabilitators!
A copy Into the Wild, Inc.'s latest annual report may be obtained by request in writing to Into the Wild, Inc. PO Box 5103, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10271.
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