Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

06/17/2026

'Tis the season for flystrike and maggots! While it may be unpleasant to discuss, it's crucial to address this issue, especially at this time of year. Understanding what to look for can potentially save an animal's life.

Flystrike refers to the presence of fly eggs, which look like yellow rice flakes. If these eggs are left on an animal, they will hatch into maggots that can burrow into the animal’s flesh. Contrary to common belief, maggots do not only feed on rotten flesh but will contaminate healthy, living tissue as well.

For instance, we recently cared for several baby skunks that, despite being dehydrated and emaciated, were struggling because of flystrike. It's important to note that flystrike can also affect otherwise healthy young animals. When you encounter flystrike, it’s a sign that the animal is in serious trouble and needs immediate help.

The cluster of fly eggs is often sticky and usually laid close to the skin. Please do not wet the eggs or try to wash the animal, as moisture will cause the eggs to hatch, leading to maggots that can inflict damage. When an animal arrives with flystrike, it requires extensive effort to carefully remove every fly egg. If the animal has been suffering for a while and the eggs have already hatched, it could take hours to extract the maggots from wounds, ears, nose, mouth, and a**s.

This problem can also affect adult animals, who may be too injured or weakened to swat away flies or clean themselves. Warm and humid weather creates an ideal environment for flystrike to occur. Remember, if you see any animal with flystrike or flies around or on them, they need help right away. Fortunately, the little skunks we treated are responding well to medical care.

06/15/2026

We recently admitted another Eastern Rat Snake, previously known as the Black Rat Snake. The finders were understandably upset when they discovered the snake entangled in sticky insect tape in their basement. They managed to safely place this very docile and weakened snake into a box, knowing not to attempt to remove any of the tape themselves.

Although the instinct is to remove the sticky substance immediately by following online advice—such as using oil, Dawn dish soap, or other suggested mixtures—we strongly advise against this. Instead, it is best to leave the glue, sticky tape, and fly strips on the animal and place it in a box with a closed lid, keeping it in darkness, which can help keep the animal calm and minimize further damage or pain. The box should be placed in a dark, quiet location, and you should contact your nearest rehabilitation center for further instructions and to have the animal admitted for treatment.

This Eastern Rat Snake was fortunate to be found by a compassionate family, as the sticky paper had been adhered to its body for a significant amount of time. Additionally, the snake was covered in mud, further complicating the situation by making the sticky substance cling to its body. The mud and sticky substance also obscured the snake's right eye, putting it at risk of losing its vision.

Our team was able to provide pain management and safely remove the sticky tape and mud while treating a few lacerations. Our rehabilitator carefully worked on the gentle removal of the substances over two days and was pleased to discover that the eye could be saved.

This beautiful Eastern Rat Snake will be returned to its original property, as it is familiar with the area, which is also a legal requirement. The snake is making a remarkable recovery; it has regained its shiny sheen, is very active, and is feeling much better.

06/14/2026

06/13/2026

We are excited to share an update on the Bobcat in her new enclosure! She has relished the open space, taking full advantage of it, which has given us a wonderful opportunity to observe her behaviors—how she acts, moves, walks, and leaps. We couldn’t be happier with her progress. She has successfully found prey and shows no signs of issues with her previously broken legs.

To enhance her agility, we have introduced a higher platform since this video was taken, for her to jump and leap, emulating her natural behaviors. This new feature has quickly become her favorite, and watching her leap effortlessly reinforces that she is ready for release. This long rehabilitation journey for the Bobcat is nearing its conclusion, and we are now eagerly preparing to take her home for one final chance at freedom.

06/12/2026

Raven Ridge Wildlife Center was awarded the 2025 CLEAN Environment Grant from Constellation. Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG), the nation’s largest producer of clean energy and a leading supplier of energy products and services, announced today it will provide nearly $1.1 million in support of 46 local environmental stewardship projects across the company’s clean energy center communities in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

A total of 34 nonprofits received grants through The Constellation Foundation, which partnered with the company’s environmental and sustainability teams to select projects, including construction and refurbishment of wildlife enclosures, urban tree-planting initiatives, living shoreline installations, and youth nature programs.

Raven Ridge Wildlife Center has received a 2025 CLEAN Environment Award from Constellation. We are honored to be selected again as a Constellation grant recipient. With this support, we have purchased 45 storage bins for supplies and equipment and are acquiring 10 new incubators, a dedicated incubator area, and new shelving in preparation for baby season. We are also constructing a double duck pen to accommodate more waterfowl. The duck pen designed by our team has been built and completed just in time, allowing the ducklings to enjoy their swim, grooming, and enrichment activities. This duckling pen would not have been possible without the grant we received from Constellation Energy. We are grateful for our community’s ongoing support in our mission to save wild lives. THANK YOU!

06/12/2026

This duckling pen would not have been possible without the grant we received from Constellation Energy. We are grateful for our community’s ongoing support in our mission to save wild lives. THANK YOU!

06/11/2026

When trying to prevent one issue, it can sometimes lead to another unforeseen problem. We received a call from a very upset gentleman who had placed fine netting over his blueberry plants to protect them from birds and other wildlife. When he checked his garden, he was horrified to find that a robin had become entangled in the netting. In his distress, he quickly cut the bird free and placed it in a box but did not remove any of the netting that the bird had been caught in. He called our center immediately and rushed over, hoping it wasn't too late.

When wildlife becomes entangled in fishing line, rope, netting, glue traps, or fly strips, we advise against the instinct to remove the animal from the trap. Our team is equipped to sedate the animal, administer pain medication, and has the necessary training and tools to safely extricate them from the situation. We were able to remove all the netting in a controlled and calm environment. After a full examination and some rest, we found significant swelling, bruising, and damaged feathers, but fortunately, there were no broken bones, and we remain hopeful for a full recovery.

The gentleman mentioned that he never thought this could happen and planned to remove all the netting upon his return home. There are safer alternatives available for protecting your berries from wildlife, such as rubber snakes, water motion sensors, and reflective tape. It’s natural for wildlife to eat berries and other fruits, so it’s important to use harmless deterrents. Always contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center if you find any animals entangled or trapped, and never try to remove the entangling materials, as this could save their lives.

06/10/2026

We apologize for not posting in the last few days; we have been overwhelmed with wildlife intakes and emergencies. Due to the recent storms affecting our area, the number of rescue intakes and phone calls has doubled as cleanup efforts begin. Strong winds and heavy rain swept through the region where a rookery of Black-Crowned Night Herons is located, causing several herons to be knocked from their nests, including a hatchling that is only a few days old.

Once again, Rita came to the rescue after a neighbor near the rookery found the hatchling on the ground following the storm. Rita informed us that she was on her way with the hatchling and expressed concern that it might not survive the journey. This hatchling is one of the youngest Black-Crowned Night Herons we have ever admitted.

When the heron arrived, it was cold and barely moving. Our team quickly prepared a warm incubator and heated towels. The hatchling was lethargic, so we needed to be very careful to warm it up slowly while also checking for any internal or external injuries. The first 72 hours are critical in determining whether it will survive. The heron is so weak that it requires support to hold up its neck during feeding, which consists of several feedings every hour.

Cases like this add pressure to our team because Black-Crowned Night Herons are considered a threatened species in our state. Fortunately, the hatchling is responding well to treatment and gradually showing an increased appetite, which is always a positive sign. It is slowly gaining weight and becoming more active, showing signs of strength.

We continue to provide the highest level of care for all our patients and remain hopeful for a successful rehabilitation, allowing us to return this heron to its original rookery.

06/06/2026

We are all set up!

06/06/2026

Join us for a fun-filled day at Veg Fest in Lancaster! We will be located at the big purple tent this Saturday and Sunday. Come meet the team dedicated to caring for Pennsylvania's native wildlife. We will have plenty of merchandise and gifts for wildlife enthusiasts!