Wildlife Rehab of Northwest Montana
Rehab and Release Stories:
We see a lot of injured wildlife come through our doors and it is not possible to put all of them online.
On this page you will find just a small selection of the animals that were released back into the wild.
For current rehab and release stories, please see our Facebook page
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Here is a look at some of our rehab and release stories for 2019.
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Bald Eagle
This stunning juvenile Bald Eagle was one of the first to use our new Eagle Flight Barn for his recovery.
He came into our care October 12th from out south of Kalispell with a broken wing which had to be set. At a healthy weight of 10lbs.52oz. and flying strong, he was released January 22nd.
What the video didn't capture was that an adult Bald Eagle came to welcome him back into the wild. After a little time sitting together and having a very animated conversation the adult then shared the location of a deer carcass near by where he began feeding. Very exciting to see!
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/2612018882365094/
Merlin
This Merlin came to us from CSKT, found in Polson on 11-5-2019 weighing 191g. It's left wing was injured possibly from a car strike.
After a couple months rehabbing in our care we released him 1-8-2020 weighing 239g and flying well, it was nice Carrie from CSKT could join us for the release.
Thank-you to CSKT for your continued help with getting sick/injured Raptors into our care.
Short Eared Owl
This poor guy had been hit by a combine - carried off by a Red Tail Hawk - dropped from midair – transported by the farmer – picked up by Beth – rehabbed by the MWWRC team – banded by ORI – and finally released back to the wild.
All in its first half year of life!
Northern Pygmy Owls
This tiny fellow was just one of two admitted into our care back in October after having a run in with a window.
Fortunately neither sustained injuries and were released back to the areas they came from.
Bald Eagle
Here's a release video of a juvenile Bald Eagle, found by Chris & Vonda Amyes while out walking the trail near FVCC. It came into our care September 1st, uninjured but underweight at 5 lbs. After just under a month of dining daily on plenty of nutricious fish it was released weighing a healthy 10lbs. Chris & Vonda had the honor of letting her go back in the area she was found.
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https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/484814479036525/
Sharp Shinned Hawk
This is one of many Sharp Shinned Hawks that came in for rehabilitation and were released from our center this summer.
This one was admitted on August 15th after being found in someones yard just out of Eureka. Xray showed a fracture of the left wing between the wrist and elbow.
After just over a month spent healing, it demonstrated strong flight and was released back to the area it was found.
And what a strong release!
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/431267677522106/
Red Tail Hawk
This juvenile Red Tail Hawk was found on Round Butte Road. It thankfully had no injuries, but was terribly underweight.
After a little over a month of getting plenty of nutritious meals it was up to a nice healthy weight and ready to return to the wild.
It was successfully released back near where it was found. We wish him happy hunting!
LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/2254538194656454/
Great Horned Owlet
In June a Great Horned Owlet fell from it's nest and unfortunately into the Flathead River.
Luckily the fall was witnessed and the Owlet was rescued from drowning and brought into our center.
After gaining over 200 grams and demonstrating sustained flight it was released back at the nest site where it immediately joined it's sibling in a tree with one of the parents watching.
A great family reunion, we couldn't be any happier!
Bald Eagle
This adult eagle was picked up between Kalispell & Whitefish on July 1st, limp, feet clenched, dehydrated. Lead was 31 so chelation was immediately started. Next morning it was standing up and later in the day it ate some fish. July 8th lead was down to 15, bird was eating 600grams plus so it was released near where it was picked up as it most likely has a mate.
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/beth.watne.3/videos/2400728073318691/UzpfSTUwNTAwMjMxNjI0MTIzNzozMzk1MTM5OTczODk0MTA5/
Great Horned Owl
This beautiful release photo is of a Great Horned Owlet that had fallen from the nest and was found soaking wet after a storm.
Getting "waterlogged" feathers can be deadly for Owls, not only does it result in loss of body heat, but as they are unable to fly, it makes them susceptible to numerous ground predators.
After a short stay at our facility, and gaining a healthy 200+ grams in weight, it was happily released back to the nest site.
We wish it a long, healthy life!
Bald Eagle
This mature Bald Eagle came into our care from the Libby Landfill after suffering a head injury.
Fortunately after just over a month in rehab it made a complete recovery and was successfully released along Libby Creek near the fish hatchery.
We wish it a long, happy, healthy life.
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/475467973189519/
Great Horned Owl
On March 20th this Great Horned Owl came in with head trauma after being hit by a train in Columbia Falls.
It's weight was also low, only 2 1/2 pounds.
Happily it recovered fully in our care and on April 11th it was successfully released at a healthy 4 pounds.
LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/2313144632330186/
Great Horned Owl
This is another Great Horned Owl who came in severely underweight, but fortunately recovered and was released back to the Pablo/Charlo area where it was found.
This is just one of many raptors who have been transported to us by the great folks from the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Montana and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. They have been awesome at getting birds to us this winter in time to save their lives - We couldn't do it without them.
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/844872055906368/
Great Horned Owl
This Great Horned Owl came in from the Chief Cliff Estates area near Elmo, very weak and underweight.
It was touch and go for the first three days before we started to see any improvement.
Thankfully same rest and good feeding made all the difference and after a little over a month in rehab we were thrilled to return him back to the area he came from.
And what a beautiful release!
LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/1874136779359245/
Great Horned Owl
Always happy to be sharing another successful rehabilitation and release back into the wild...
This Great Horned Owl came in underweight and with a broken right wing.
Thankfully the fracture healed wonderfully and after showing us it could fly once again, it was released at a healthy weight back to the Polson area it came from.
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/300799773920159/
Great Horned Owl
With all the heavy snows and cold temps it's been hard on our feathered friends. This Great Horned Owl came into our care very underweight at just 1.38 pounds.
After a month of receiving nutritious daily meals we were happy to release it back into the wild weighing 3 pounds.
Bald Eagle
This amazing Bald Eagle was admitted into our care on January 20th. It had an abrasion on the left wing, as well as a cracked lower beak.
It was seen by Dr. Bechtle at the Whitefish Animal Clinic who reinforced the crack with super glue.
Happily the Eagle was ready to return to the wild and was successfully released on February 23rd.
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LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/montanawildwingsrecoverycenter/videos/2263258753913088/
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