Toronto Wildlife Centre

After hearing a loud thump against the house, Faye went outside to see what happened. There stood a turkey vulture, appearing stunned, so the concerned homeowner sought immediate help. It wasn’t long before the Rescue Team was on their way to Toronto Wildlife Centre with the new patient.

Though the vulture hadn’t suffered any broken bones from the impact, she wasn’t looking her best. She had old scabs on her face, tattered tail feathers, and a wound on her foot. Despite having encountered a challenging time even before the collision, the resilient bird walked well; her injuries were old. She was feisty, hissing at her caregivers and not appreciating the pain medication she was given to ease her discomfort.

As nature’s clean-up crew, these scavengers mostly feast on carrion and are opportunistic eaters. But sometimes while in care, in an unknown environment, they may not eat well - which was the case for this patient, so she was carefully hand-fed. Once she began feeding on her own, rest and supportive care quickly restored her strength. Soon, she was flying effortlessly, staring down at TWC’s team from the aviary's highest perch.

When the patient was ready, Rescue Team Volunteer Kathy was excited to release her at a local park. Kathy was in awe as the vulture opened her powerful wings and took off, ready to patrol the area for her next meal.

These three young mourning doves are keeping each other company as they recover after encountering difficult - yet preventable - circumstances. Two of the vulnerable fledglings were injured by cats, while the third suffered a collarbone fracture after a suspected window collision.

Along with reflective glass windows, unsupervised outdoor cats are a great threat to birds. In Canada, free-roaming cats kill an estimated 100-350 million birds every year. These two little doves were lucky to survive - the youngest suffered puncture wounds, bruising and an injured left wing, while the other escaped with wounds, a bruised shoulder and missing tail feathers.

Even small wounds from our beloved cats can quickly become life-threatening for fragile little animals, due to the risk of infection caused by bacteria in a feline’s saliva. Urgent medical care is vital!

These three patients are receiving specialized care from TWC wildlife rehabilitators like Clemence (Photo 2), who are doing everything they can to help them heal, grow, and eventually return to the wild.

Cats are natural hunters - it’s instinct. That’s why it’s up to us to keep both cats and wildlife safe. As responsible pet owners, we can enjoy time outside with our whiskered friends by keeping them on leashes, providing them with catios, and keeping a close eye on them.💚

For the first time ever, a hooded warbler was admitted to Toronto Wildlife Centre. The migratory songbird was brought in by Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada after he struck a window – one of the most common dangers birds face as they journey back to their breeding grounds.

Thankfully, with medical care, the bruising around his tiny ear resolved quickly. The patient was given medication for the pain and lots of nutritious fruit flies to eat. After a few days of rest and recovery in a soft-sided enclosure, the little warbler was back to 100% and released to continue his migration! 💚

Male hooded warblers are hard to miss, with their striking black “hood” framing their bright yellow faces. While Southern Ontario marks the very northernmost edge of their breeding range, these birds are exceptionally rare in the Toronto area, making this patient a historic first at TWC. Once he heals, he will be back on track to rejoin his fellow species.

Every spring and fall, during migratory season, hundreds of injured birds are rushed to the wildlife hospital needing treatment after colliding with windows. Peek in on a few who’ve previously been cared for at TWC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0fB3PRD4X4

When a homeowner spotted this snapping turtle lying still on her back in their yard, they suspected what anyone would - that she wasn’t alive.

Knowing Turtle Protectors asks the public to call them about deceased turtles, the homeowner reached out. There’s an old saying that “they’re not dead until they’re warm and dead,” which is often true of cold-blooded reptiles.

For , let’s celebrate the unique biological feats of these incredible animals. In the winter, turtles drop their temperature, heart rate, and metabolism, entering a state of dormancy called brumation. It allows them to survive the cold while preserving their energy.

This snapping turtle had likely suffered an infection before entering brumation. When she emerged, her immune system was too weak to fight it off. As a result, she was extremely lethargic, using every ounce of might she had to stay alive.

Turtle Protectors took her to the local animal services. She had been considered dead for 48 hours, but a wildlife veterinarian was needed to confirm if this was the case. So the snapper was brought to Toronto Wildlife Centre, where the medical team used a heating pad to warm her up over the next 24 hours. Using a Doppler (a tool to detect blood flow) the next day, they were overjoyed to hear the gentle thuds of a heartbeat - the resilient reptile was still alive!

They started the patient on antibiotics to treat the suspected infection, and kept her under close watch. A couple days later, she began acting like a normal snapping turtle again. She’s eating well, swimming, and yes - snapping. Can’t blame her!

This Species-at-Risk has since been released back into the wild, where she’ll be able to lay a precious clutch of eggs. Special thanks to the homeowner and Turtle Protectors for helping this snapping turtle get the care she needed to come back to life!

Photo 2: Turtle Protectors

Murray was worried about a little owlet he found sitting alone in the middle of the road. The fluffy bird couldn't have been very old… where was his mother? Father? Concerned, he went to get a box and lined it with cloth, then carefully placed the owl inside. Now out of harm's way, Murray sought out help for the frightened bird.

The young owl was an Eastern screech, a vulnerable branchling who had likely lost his way. Not old enough to hunt and fly well, he still needed the care of his parents to learn essential life skills.

Despite being spotted in such a dangerous area, the medical team at Toronto Wildlife Centre found the young patient to be in good health after gently cradling him in soft linen and looking him over. After treatment for minor injuries and supportive care, the most important step was next: returning the baby to his parents!

Experienced with many renesting situations, Darlene leaned a ladder against a tree and climbed up to investigate a cavity where she suspected the owl’s nest had been. Once she confirmed that was the spot, she gently placed the wide-eyed bird just outside the entrance and he hopped his way back inside. That evening, Murray happily let the Rescue Team know he saw the parents return to their missing owlet!

This spring, wildlife is out and about, finding new den sites, food sources, and introducing their families to the world around them. Unfortunately, human activity can put them at risk, which is why wildlife rehabilitators across the country need your support.

On the latest episode of Defender Radio, we spoke with Nathalie Karvonen of Toronto Wildlife Centre about spring wildlife, urban biodiversity, and simple ways you can help local animals. Listen now: https://buff.ly/D8SkxG7

Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships at Toronto Wildlife Centre can open many doors! Whether you’re hoping to work in the field of conservation, biology, or veterinary medicine, this unique program will provide excellent hands-on experience caring for wildlife.

We’re looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about helping wild patients and eager to make a meaningful difference for them. Learn more and apply now: www.torontowildlifecentre.com/volunteer/internships/

Internships (16 weeks or 12 weeks) are flexible around school and work schedules. The application deadline is June 1st, 2026.

For inquiries, please email [email protected].