California Animals in Need of Rehabilitation After Recent Storms

As the storms in California are finally clearing away, unfortunately, many animals are not in the clear. Local wildlife had their habitats thrown in an absolute whirlwind during the past few weeks.

Source: ABC7 News Bay Area/Youtube

ABC News 7 reported that a pocket gopher is being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley (WCSV) in San Jose. The small animal is just one of the animals under rehabilitation after the recent string of storms.

“After all that rainwater saturated the soil, his burrow collapsed and he was then flooded,” WCSV Hospital Manager Ashley Kinney said. “And then came up, and he was found on top of the surface, completely soaking wet and just hypothermic.”

The center also took in an American Kestrel who they said fell from the sky and injured its eye upon impact. They also took in an opossum. A nocturnal Western Screech Owl was also brought into the center who had suffered an injury in the bad weather.

“She was found grounded, lethargic, completely waterlogged,” Kinney told ABC7 News. “So she was just sitting on the sidewalk, covered in rainwater.”

Kinney said that the injuries of these animals provide clear examples of how the Bay Area’s weather impacts wildlife.

The animals are expected to make a full recovery and be released when they are ready, and the storms have passed. Kinney said that the center has about 20 animals on-site currently. She suggests that if you come across an injured animal, to call your local wildlife center immediately.

NOTE: Do not try to help wildlife of any sort unless you are trained. Find a local wildlife rehabber/rescuer or veterinarian ASAP, or call a rescue hotline. Here are some that might help! 

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