Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC)

10/19/2026

Remember the Wild Turkey we posted about a few days ago? Her leg recovered beautifully, and as of this morning she is back home!

Thank you for making second chances possible.

10/18/2026

It's time to play Name That Bird! Put your guess in the comments.

Depending upon where in Minnesota you live, this might be a common backyard bird or one you've never seen before.

We'll have to check our official records, but if memory serves, this titmouse admitted this morning might only be the second or third we've ever treated at WRC. It is undergoing medical care for a fractured clavicle, which means it is probably yet another victim of a window collision.

10/17/2026

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend, and we already know what you're planning: yard work.

Before you grab the rake, consider the wildlife that might be cozy under the leaf litter.

Eastern Red Bats are one of Minnesota's migratory bat species. They are on the move this month, but they can hunker down under fallen leaves during a frosty spell like we had last night.

Gray Tree Frogs have a different strategy for winter. They cannot migrate on their little legs, but they have the amazing ability to spend the winter partially frozen! As it gets cold, they will find shelter under fallen leaves or along cracks in tree bark.

"Leaving the leaves" is the best way to provide this important micro winter habitat to the wildlife that rely on it. If you do disturb an Eastern Red Bat or a Gray Tree Frog and it did not get injured, just cover it back up with a loose layer of leaves (being careful not to touch a bat, of course). If it did get injured by a yard work tool, bring it to WRC for medical care. The best way to safely transport either of those animals is to punch pencil-sized holes into the lid of a clean plastic container. Use the lid to herd or scoop the animal into the container and snap it closed.

Thank you for looking out for critters taking shelter in your yard!

10/15/2026

Thank you Officer Benjamin for your compassionate care for wildlife in need!

10/14/2026

Update on Wed evening: our phones system is working again

_________

Our phone system is down. The troubling part is that people can leave voicemails, but we cannot currently retrieve them.

If you have an obviously injured or unwell wild animal, please go ahead and bring it in. We are open until 6pm, and you never need an appointment to bring in an injured animal.

We typically request that you leave a voicemail about a potentially orphaned animal so we can assess the situation over the phone in the event that the youngster doesn't need help. While our phone system is down, if you think a young animal needs help please go ahead and bring it in.

If you have been waiting for a call back this afternoon, we apologize. Hopefully our phone company can get us back up and running soon!

10/14/2026

Benjamin Franklin once described the Wild Turkey as a "bird of courage." He wrote, "For in truth, the turkey is in comparison [to the national symbol of the Bald Eagle] a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America."

This turkey certainly is a bird of courage, and is currently convalescing from a leg injury.

10/10/2026

It's World Migratory Bird Day! Well it's actually the second World Migratory Bird Day this year because migration happens twice a year.

This photo is from one year ago when we admitted an American Pipit, which is a species that breeds in the Arctic, northern Canada, and Alaska, and is only found in Minnesota during migration. Every autumn we admit many migrants that are injured on their long journeys, much like the Buff-breasted Sandpiper we posted about a few weeks ago.

What migratory birds are you seeing this weekend?

10/08/2026

We are floored! Thank you to everyone who purchased every last item on our wish list! We are so grateful to restock our wards, replace what was worn out over the summer, and be ready for the next patients to arrive.

Truly, thank you!

10/07/2026