09/02/2026
It's good to be back!
On April 25, 2026, this North American porcupine arrived at Hope for Wildlife, thin, dehydrated and barely able to use his left hind leg. X-rays revealed numerous pellets throughout his abdomen and hindquarters, fired from such close range that they shatted bone.
A week later, he underwent major orthopedic surgery. Two pellets near the femur fracture were removed, and the broken bone was stabilized with an internal pin and two external pins. The procedure was only the beginning.
Over the following weeks, his care included pain medication, antibiotics, daily cleaning and dressing of the pin sites, repeated veterinary examinations, X-rays and periods of strict cage rest while the bone slowly began to heal. Within days of surgery, he was already beginning to place his injured foot properly again.
Then came another setback.
Infection and an absess set in as the fracture had begun to heal, and he remained on multiple antibiotics and restricted activity the medical team kept him under close observation.
And through all of this, he kept recovering.
First came short walks. Then climbing on low logs. Then larger climbing structures were added. By August, the wound had healed, the fracture was stable and his antibiotics were finally stopped. When he moved into an outdoor enclosure, he immediately began climbing and exploring. Within a week, staff reported that he was making it all the way to the top of his enclosure.
On August 31, one final veterinary examination found the repaired femur stable, with no swelling or discharge and normal movement of the hip and knee. He was medically cleared for release.
On September 1, 129 days after arriving at Hope for Wildlife, he went back to were he belongs: the wild.
