KEY WEST WILDLIFE CENTER

The Key West Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable tax exempt organization. We provide care to over 1000 native animals a year. Our mission is to ensure the future of our diverse native wildlife by providing timely rescues and quality rehabilitation with the hope of release back to the wild."

Thanks to Danger Charters for rescuing this juvenile Magnificent Firgatebird from the waters off of Key West! The young bird was salt water-logged and exhausted but is suffering no major injuries. We look forward to rehabilitating this bird and hope to have Danger Charters along for the release! Thanks for looking out for local wildlife in distress!

We were able to release this Great White Heron in the Sonny McCoy Indigenous park this morning. It had been rescued just outside the Indigenous Park on May 11th, weak and hardly able to stand. Since that time, it has made steady progress towards recovery. It was strong, healthy and ready to go today!

Happy World Turtle Day

With roughly half of all turtle species at risk of extinction, conservationists say now is a crucial time to stick out our necks for these ancient animals. Thanks to Reef Relief, Save-A-Turtle, and The Marathon Turtle Hospital for all the work they do in supporting these amazing creatures!

Wild Bird Rescues 5/22/2013: Laughing Gull with wing injury rescued by residents on Summerland Key; Clapper Rail Chick rescued on Rockland Key; Northern Mockingbird fledgling rescued on Fort Street in Bahama Village….

Thanks to United States Navy Fighter Squadron VFA-106 for volunteering at the Key West Wildlife Center today helping us with some big jobs: Moving sand, mucking out the moat, power washing the pavilion, cutting grass and just generally knocking out a lot of different jobs in a hurry! We appreciate the volunteer help!

Thanks to United States Navy Fighter Squadron VFA-106 for volunteering at the Key West Wildlife Center today helping us with some big jobs: Moving sand, mucking out the moat, power washing the pavilion, cutting grass and just generally knocking out a lot of different jobs in a hurry! We appreciate the volunteer help!

This Double-crested Cormorant was rescued this morning by someone fishing at White Street Pier in Key West. The Cormorant has swallowed bait, hook, and a metal leader. We are working to remove the hook carefully, because internal bleeding is already present. We hope to be able to report good news about this unfortunate situation. We do appreciate those that bring injured or distressed wildlife to our center so we can try and help them!

This Double-crested Cormorant was rescued this morning by someone fishing at White Street Pier in Key West. The Cormorant has swallowed bait, hook, and a metal leader. We are working to remove the hook carefully, because internal bleeding is already present. We hope to be able to report good news about this unfortunate situation. We do appreciate those that bring injured or distressed wildlife to our center so we can try and help them!

This Yellow-billed Cuckoo was brought to us after a local Key West citizen found it in the road after a car strike May 8th. The bird is making steady progress towards an eventual release. Thanks to all those who bring wildlife to our center after seeing it in distress!

This Yellow-billed Cuckoo was brought to us after a local Key West citizen found it in the road after a car strike May 8th. The bird is making steady progress towards an eventual release. Thanks to all those who bring wildlife to our center after seeing it in distress!

This Florida Box Turtle was brought to the Key West Wildlife Center today by a local family. The turtle was brought to them by someone else and they are trying to determine what location this turtle originally came from- possibly Big Pine Key. We are waiting for more information so we can return it to its home territory. It is always crucial for a turtle to be returned as near as possible to where it was found!

This Florida Box Turtle was brought to the Key West Wildlife Center today by a local family. The turtle was brought to them by someone else and they are trying to determine what location this turtle originally came from- possibly Big Pine Key. We are waiting for more information so we can return it to its home territory. It is always crucial for a turtle to be returned as near as possible to where it was found!

American White Pelican rescued 2/2/2013 release! (12 photos)
The American White Pelican rescued on Linda Avenue in Key West 2/2/2013 with a large propeller wound above the left leg was successfully released at Mud Key yesterday. Special thanks to Jason from Hurricane Hole Marina who piloted us to the release point! — at Mud Key.

May 14, 2013 5:28pm
Local Artist Dick Moody and his wood craftsmen friends have offered to construct a beautiful custom new home for Augie our Broad-winged Hawk education ambassador and we need your help to raise funds! Some of you have given already to this cause and we thank you! We have an opportunity to allow a local artisan to custom build this home and to get it done in a timely manner. Please help any way you can! You can always donate on our website at: www.keywestwildlifecenter.org. Thank You!

Special Thanks to Chelsea Barattini of The Yankee Freedom III for bringing in this Upland Sandpiper from the Dry Tortugas after docking in Key West minutes ago. Chelsea had been observing this bird the last couple of days at Fort Jefferson and it seems to be weak and unstable. It has good body weight, and we hope to be able to rehabilitate this beauty!

Special Thanks to Chelsea Barattini of The Yankee Freedom III for bringing in this Upland Sandpiper from the Dry Tortugas after docking in Key West minutes ago. Chelsea had been observing this bird the last couple of days at Fort Jefferson and it seems to be weak and unstable. It has good body weight, and we hope to be able to rehabilitate this beauty!

Hannah C. Hunter called us last night from the Southernmost Beach Cafe regarding this Laughing Gull with a wing injury. We were able to make the rescue. This shot was taken this morning after the wing wrap was changed. Thanks Hannah for looking out for our native wildlife in distress!

Hannah C. Hunter called us last night from the Southernmost Beach Cafe regarding this Laughing Gull with a wing injury. We were able to make the rescue. This shot was taken this morning after the wing wrap was changed. Thanks Hannah for looking out for our native wildlife in distress!

Green Turtle Rescue at Sunset Marina/Calda Channel

Updated 17 minutes ago
Thanks to Ryan Erickson of Key West Tarpon Guides for spotting this Green Turtle in distress in Calda Channel this morning. The Key West Wildlife Center was able to meet the boat at Sunset Marina and get the Turtle moved to The Key West Wildlife Center. The Marathon Turtle Hospital sent the Turtle Ambulance for transport to their facility for treatment. It is always great to be able to partner with other rescue agencies such as The Marathon Turtle Hospital in order to help our native wildlife! Thanks to all involved!
 
Thanks again to Ryan Erickson of Key West Tarpon Guides for making the initial rescue of the Green Turtle in distress at Calda Channel. The Green Turtle is suffering from the pappillomavirus. The prognosis is positive because the turtle was rescued before it got to an overly weakened state and spent time floating in the water. Thanks to Matt Brochhausen of The Marathon Turtle Hospital for allowing The Key West Wildlife Center to assist with the rescue. We are always happy to partner with other rescue agencies when needed.

This fledgling Red-winged Blackbird was brought to the Key West Wildlife Center this morning after a concerned citizen saw it in traffic at the intersection of Flagler and Kennedy. We are going to get the bird released back to safer spot in the vicinity so the parents can continue to care for this youngster. It is already flying short distances, so it will not be too long before this bird is flying regularly….

This fledgling Red-winged Blackbird was brought to the Key West Wildlife Center this morning after a concerned citizen saw it in traffic at the intersection of Flagler and Kennedy. We are going to get the bird released back to safer spot in the vicinity so the parents can continue to care for this youngster. It is already flying short distances, so it will not be too long before this bird is flying regularly….