Wildlife Rescue League

10/08/2026

🍂🐦 Fall migration Is underway in Virginia!

The skies are busy this time of year! Millions of birds are making their annual journey south to warmer wintering grounds, with many passing through Virginia along the Atlantic Flyway. These long journeys require a tremendous amount of energy, and even small changes in our own backyards can help migrating birds travel safely.

Here are six simple ways you can lend our feathered friends a helping hand this fall.

Whether they're stopping to rest or just passing through, let's help make Virginia a safe haven for our migrating feathered friends! 💚

10/07/2026

Join us for WRL's 4th Annual Critter Carnival! Enjoy food, drinks, raffles and see Virginia's native wildlife up close!
Register for the event here:

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10/06/2026

2026 Wildlife Rescue League Critter Carnival is this weekend! 🦆 Get your ducks in a row and grab your tickets today!

Join Wildlife Rescue League for a fun-filled event where you can meet incredible wildlife, like raptors, a rare snowy owl, and reptiles - including one of only two native boas to the US - and more, while supporting a great cause! Every ticket purchased helps WRL continue its mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in our community. 🐢

Don't miss out on the festivities — get your tickets today!

10/01/2026

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month! 🐢🦊🦉

Protecting animals means both helping wildlife when they’re injured or orphaned and protecting the wild places they call home.

Here in Virginia, conservation efforts are working to preserve and restore important habitats, protect species of greatest conservation need, connect fragmented habitats through wildlife corridors, and create safer pathways for animals to move across our landscape.

We can all play a role in protecting Virginia’s wildlife. Plant native species, keep waterways and natural spaces clean, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, give wild animals plenty of space, and support efforts to conserve the habitats they need to survive.

And when wildlife does need a helping hand, Wildlife Rescue League is here. If you find a wild animal you believe is injured, orphaned, or in distress, call the WRL Helpline at (703) 440-0800 for guidance from our volunteers.

Protecting wildlife starts with each of us. Together, we can help keep Virginia wild for generations to come.

09/29/2026

Fun fact: some of Virginia's turtles have been around longer than most Critter Carnival guests. You can meet them, and the rest of the wild cast, on October 11!

Tickets are still on sale for the 2026 Wildlife Rescue League Critter Carnival on Sunday, October 11, 1-3 PM at Historic Blenheim: $50/adult, $20/child (12-18).

Get your tickets, and learn more!

09/24/2026

🐸 Did you know Virginia is home to 27 species of frogs and toads?

These fascinating amphibians play an important role in our ecosystems; controlling insect populations, feeding other wildlife, and even contributing to scientific advancements thanks to their unique skin and natural defenses.

From the tiny Eastern Cricket Frog to the familiar American Bullfrog, frogs have some incredible adaptations that help them survive. But habitat loss and a changing climate are putting increasing pressure on these important animals.

Learn more about Virginia’s frogs, the role they play in our environment, and how you can identify the species you might hear in your own backyard in our latest article! 🔗 bit.ly/WRLFrogs

09/22/2026

Our online Critter Carnival Fundraiser is now live! Donate today to help us meet our goal of $20,000! Every dollar raised helps Wildlife Rescue League rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wildlife across our community.

And make sure you get tickets for our in-person 2026 Wildlife Rescue League Critter Carnival on October 11! Meet raptors, reptiles, and more! All proceeds from the event will also go directly towards helping sick, orphaned, and injured wildlife in our community.

Get your tickets, and donate today at the link below 👇

09/21/2026

09/15/2026

🦅 From rescue to release, this young Bald Eagle is back where it belongs!

On June 13, a Bald Eagle nest near Riverside Park off the George Washington Memorial Parkway fell from its tree with two fledglings inside. Sadly, one of the young eagles did not survive the fall, but the second was found alive.

As daylight faded, finder Sharon and WRL volunteer Chris Thiel hiked about 15 minutes into the brush to reach the fallen nest and retrieve the surviving fledgling, beginning its journey toward recovery.

After receiving the care it needed, the young eagle was ready for an exciting milestone: release back into the wild at Mason Neck State Park! A WRL representative was there to witness the moment as this incredible bird got a second chance to soar. 🦅💙

Wildlife rescue is truly a community effort, from the person who first spots an animal in need to the rescuers, rehabilitators, veterinarians, and countless others who help along the way. We’re grateful to have played a part in this Bald Eagle’s journey back to the wild.

Read the full story of the eagle’s rehabilitation and release here 🔗bit.ly/WRLEagleMNSP