Source: KXLY.com
Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is experiencing a sharp rise in wildlife admissions, including baby raccoons, owls, and squirrels, largely due to the recent closure of another rehabilitation center in central Washington. As one of the few generalist facilities in eastern Washington, WSU accepts a wide range of species, unlike many others that specialize. Last year, the hospital treated 400 more animals than usual and is currently caring for about 15 different species, many of them birds of prey.
Once stable, these birds are transferred to a raptor facility for release preparation. However, only 30–40% of all wildlife patients survive due to the severity of their injuries, often caused by human interference. Dr. Marcie Logsdon urges the public not to approach or remove wild animals without first consulting a local wildlife rehabilitation center, stressing that such actions can do more harm than good and that expert advice is essential.