The Portland Wildlife Care Center is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in the number of injured, ill, or orphaned animals they are treating, with admissions up by 33% compared to this time last year.
Managed by the Bird Alliance of Oregon and located in Forest Park, the center is typically busiest during spring and summer when many animals are raising young. However, this notable increase in cases has prompted the organization to cut back its operational hours to better manage the influx of wildlife.
Director Travis Koons explained that the center has seen a dramatic rise in patients, with 1,840 animals admitted during the same period last year, compared to over 2,700 this year.
Last year, the center recorded only five days with more than 40 animals arriving for care, while this year, there have already been 16 such days.
“We’re just completely full,” Koons remarked, emphasizing the remarkable spike in patient numbers.
The increase began in late March and has continued into the present, with the center now focusing its efforts on accommodating these additional patients.
Approximately 70% of the wildlife they treat are songbirds, but the center is also responsible for rehabilitating other species such as bats, owls, eagles, and various mammals including weasels and skunks.
Koons noted a particularly high number of skunks in their current patient load.
Due to the surge in admissions, the care center has revised its hours, now accepting new patients only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Despite the increase, Koons confirmed that the center has not had to turn any animals away, though they typically operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The most common injuries treated often result from encounters with household pets, primarily dogs and cats.
Birds frequently arrive at the center with punctures, fractures, or are found stunned following collisions with glass windows or automobiles.
Additionally, animals can suffer from various ailments including immune diseases and poisonings from rat poison or lead ammunition used in hunting.
Koons expressed that pinpointing a definitive cause for the increase in animal admissions is challenging, stating, “There are more questions, really, than answers.”
Staff and volunteers at the Bird Alliance are speculating on potential reasons for this uptick in wildlife cases.
One theory suggests that increased awareness of the care center, possibly due to outreach efforts by the Bird Alliance, may have led to more people bringing in animals for treatment.
Weather patterns could also have a significant impact; the dry conditions in April may have affected not only the health of birds but also the nutritional state of their eggs.
Furthermore, greater human encroachment into natural habitats may be leading to more wildlife encounters that result in injury.
Despite the elevated demand for services, the staff of around a dozen people and 150 volunteers at the center are managing the situation without entering a crisis mode.
Koons remains optimistic that adjusting their operating hours will help them cope with the current circumstances, stating, “We can handle it; we got it and we want people to keep bringing us (animals).”
For members of the public who encounter wild animals, the care center recommends minimizing direct handling, as excessive human contact may cause added stress to the animals.
Those who find wildlife are advised to contain the animal safely in a secure, ventilated container lined with a towel or T-shirt, and to keep it in a warm, dark, and quiet area.
The center cautions against feeding or administering water to wild animals, as they often have specific dietary needs.
Moreover, it is critical to understand that not all animals require rescue; for example, fledgling birds may appear vulnerable while they are learning to fly and often do not need assistance.
The Bird Alliance encourages individuals to refer to their flow chart for guidance on whether to bring an animal in for medical attention.
image source from：oregonlive
