Rescue - Rehabilitation -
Release - Education
23956 Green Acres Road Dow, Illinois 62022 (618) 466-2990
Avian
“Hope”, a Bald Eagle, was found in Good Hope, Illinois (north of Macomb) on February 10th, 2010. She had been shot in the wing which resulted in a fracture. The fracture site was close to the “elbow” joint so it could not be repaired. She was approximately 3-4 years of age at the time of admittance to TreeHouse.
“Spuds”, a Bald Eagle, flew into a power line near the Winfield Dam in January of 1988. This resulted in a wing injury that could not be repaired, prompting partial amputation of the wing. Spuds is a female believed to be born in 1987, and has remained at TreeHouse since her injury. Spuds is easily identifiable due to her vocal nature.
"McGwire" (Mac), a Bald Eagle, is the smallest eagle at TreeHouse. Mac was found on the ground in Fosterburg in the spring of 1997 after he apparently flew into a power line, breaking off the end of his wing which is the equivalent of our human hand.
"Ozzy", a Bald Eagle after being found in January of 2015 in Godfrey, IL. It was discovered that she had an old injury to her wing that left her disabled in flight. She is generally seen sitting on the highest perches in the enclosure.
“Emrys” came to TreeHouse on March 18, 2015 after being hit by a car off of Route 37 just south of Salem, IL. His right wing was broken at the wrist joint and unfortunately the spot had to be amputated. A brave and curious bird, he quickly adapted to life in captivity and likes to interact with the staff and volunteers. He is TreeHouse’s first Bald Eagle to be trained as an educational outreach bird. He was retired in 2020.
This bald eagle came to TreeHouse early 2019 with a fractured collarbone. The bone had healed incorrectly when it got to us, leaving it unable to fly or be released.
“Bandit,” an Osprey, was found in Granite City in mid-October 2013 and most likely was injured after flying into a power line which resulted in a debilitating separated shoulder. Ospreys are notoriously picky eaters in captivity and are rarely seen in educational displays, but this youngster seems to have adjusted well. Osprey are a threatened species in the state of Illinois.
"Cirrus" is a light-phase Red-tailed Hawk admitted in early 2018 as a juvenile from Scott Air Force Base. She has a clean wrist amputation from an unknown source. She will reside at TreeHouse and an Education Outreach Ambassador.
"Hershey," a dark phased Red-tailed Hawk, was admitted on March 8th, 1997 from Mascoutah with two open fractures on the right wing that could not be repaired.
"Luke," a Red-tailed Hawk, was admitted as a juvenile from Alton on May 28, 2011 after sustaining a fracture to the right wing which could not be repaired.
"Socks," a Rough-legged Hawk, was admitted to TreeHouse on February 12, 2004 from Litchfield after being hit by a car, causing a fracture to her left leg. The leg injury healed well, but to our disappointment, Socks sustained a disabling wing injury while in release training. Due to slight plumage (feather) differences in sexes, we believe Socks to be female.
"Huey", a Coopers Hawk was brought to TreeHouse in 2020. With a dislocated left shoulder and being only partially flighted, he is unable to properly hunt and can't be released back to the wild. Usually Coopers Hawks are very excitable, but this one has a very suitable personality for life at TreeHouse.
Ayana the Kreider's version of a Red-tailed hawk was brought to us from the Edwardsville Watershed Nature Center November 2023. Their treatment included a partial wing amputation. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
Unnamed red shoulder hawk Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography
"Maorga", a Peregrine Falcon, was found alongside the road in October 2019. She was suffering from a wing injury that could not be repaired and had to be partially amputated, leaving her unable to fly. Maorga is an education outreach ambassador.
"Lief", the Peregrine Falcon. He was brought to TreeHouse after being found in 2021 with a fractured wing. It is presumed he was hit by a car. The wing is permanently damaged and he will not be able to return to the wild. He is in training to be an Outreach Education Ambassador. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
"Patsy" the American Kestrel was brought to us as a human imprint the spring of 2023. She is currently in training as an education animal. Photo credit Rosa Renner Photography
"Billy", an American Kestrel, was brought to TreeHouse in spring 2022. Obviously raised by someone due to being fully human imprinted, he is learning to be an Education Ambassador. Due to illegal rehabbing, he will never live a life in the wild.
"Cessna", is an American Kestrel. We know she is female due to the muted color pattern. Males will have a more vivid and highlighted blue color.
Female American Kestrel found in East Alton with a wing fracture in the spring of 2022.
“Isaac Newton,” a Turkey Vulture, was admitted on May 29, 2014 from Palmyra, IL as a nestling. He was found after his nest was accidentally destroyed during the demolition of an old farmhouse. Isaac had a wing and neck injury from the accident which required a lot of care for him to recover but unfortunately he was deemed not releasable. Isaac is quite the character and often will come up to greet guests. Crowned Critter of the Year 2020.
“Karion”, a Turkey Vulture, was admitted on November 13, 2014 from Shobonier, IL. Her wing was broken near the elbow joint and could not be repaired leaving her unable to fly very well. She works as a foster parent to help raise young Turkey Vultures.
“Igor”, a Turkey Vulture, came to TreeHouse on November 29, 2011 from Effingham, IL when he was found with an old wing injury. Unfortunately, the wing could not be fixed and he was left unable to fly. A shy bird, Igor usually spends his time inside the vulture house.
“Einstein,” a Turkey Vulture, was born in the spring of 2011 is a human imprint – raised by humans and therefore unable to live in the wild. She is known as the diva of our center as she loves to show off and interact with guests.
"Luther" the Turkey Vulture came to TreeHouse in September 2021 from Carrollton, IL after an exhausting foot chase covering many blocks. He had a broken wing close to the elbow joint. After casting the wing, the joint callused leaving Luther unable to fly. As a juvenile, he has been accepted by our other resident vultures and will become a permanent resident.
Human imprinted Turkey Vulture brought to us in the spring of 2023. Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography
“ED,” an American White Pelican, was admitted to Treehouse in November of 2013 from Taylorville, IL. He had a fractured wing that could not be repaired and had to be partially amputated. He also was suffering from a parasite infection. Ed’s sassy attitude makes him a favorite among volunteers.
"Penelope", an American White Pelican came from Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation center in Indiana on June 20th, 2016. She had been declared non-releasable due to being partially blind. They had heard we had a lonely pelican so decided to transfer her to us to see if Ed would like her. As long as fish aren't involved, they seem to get along.
"Topaz" the Short-eared Owl was found in 2021 with a dislocated left shoulder, fracture to left radius, and luxating left wrist. With so much damage, it will not be able to ever fly again. It is currently in training to become an Outreach Animal Ambassador.
“Owlbert,” a Great Horned Owl, was admitted to TreeHouse on May 17, 1996 from Palmyra, Illinois. He had been raised from a chick by a person and became imprinted. His diet wasn’t balanced which caused him to develop rickets. Rickets is caused by a lack of calcium in the diet (especially in growing birds), which causes the bones to become soft and prone to bending and breaking. Owlbert is housed by himself due to his territorial nature.
"Cole", a Great Horned Owl, was brought to the center in 2018 as an orphan after being cared for by a non-licensed caretaker. While Cole's sibling was able to be returned to the wild, Cole sought out people and was unable to be released.
"Jack", a Barred Owl, was admitted on October 28, 2011 from Carrollton after being hit by a car and sustaining a permanently injured eye. Jack often acts as a foster parent to raise orphaned Barred Owls and is very protective of any owlets that are put in his care. Want to hear him talk? He often responds to recordings of Barred Owl calls! Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
“Chili,” a Barred Owl, was found on the side of the road between Freeburg and Athens in June of 2015 after a family had noticed him 24 hours before. He has a permanent injury to his left wing and can no longer fly. Chili is considered the most "chill" owl we have. He is an outreach bird.
"Victor", the Barred Owl came to TreeHouse in 2021. Already missing an eye and human imprinted, he was unable to be returned to the wild. Victor is an Outreach Education Ambassador.
"Marcy", the Barred Owl came to TreeHouse in 2020, suffering from a damaged wing. After surgery, she was left with a partial amputation. Unable to go back to the wild, she has found a permanent home with us. She is a great companion to Chili when Jack is fostering orphaned owlets during the spring. This year, Marcy is learning to be a foster parent too!
"Amaretto", a red-phase Screech Owl, was found in 2021 missing its left eye. After an exam and observation, it was decided release back to the wild would not be possible. Both eyes are needed for binocular vision which fully focuses on their prey and boosts depth perception. Amaretto is currently being trained as an Education Outreach Ambassador.
"Ingram", an American Crow, was brought to the center in June 2018. Kept illegally as a pet for over ten years, Ingram is human imprinted and can't return to the wild. You can hear "Wow!" and "I'm a crow!" when visiting the gift shop.
Mammals
"Dorian", a Gray Fox was transferred from a private center in North Carolina in August 2019. Volunteers drove for three days round trip before hurricane Dorian hit the area to bring him back to TreeHouse.
"Utah", a Silver Fox was transferred from a rehab center in Utah in 2019. He was found running with a pack of dogs in the desert. It is believed he was a pet as he was neutered.
Moxie came to TreeHouse in 2020 after being found wandering in a neighborhood. We are unsure of her previous history.
"Fagin", the Red Fox was brought to TreeHouse in March of 2021 as a transfer from another facility. He was orphaned and habituated to humans.
"Nyx", a Bobcat, was found near Peoria walking on the highway by herself and received local care. By the time she was brought to TreeHouse, she was socialized to people. With no other facility in IL having bobcat kittens at that time, we attempted to raise her wild. She became depressed and stopped eating without any interaction. Sadly she was deemed non-releasable and will remain at TreeHouse.
"Rizzo", a Bobcat, came to TreeHouse from a facility in North Carolina in August 2019. Socialized to people, he can't return to the wild. Volunteers drove for three days round trip before hurricane Dorian hit the area to bring him back to TreeHouse.
"Apache" the Coyote was hit by a vehicle in Sept. 2015 in Fairview Heights which resulted in both front legs being broken. His right front leg was broken more severely near the "elbow" joint so he cannot run full speed, or if he tries, he limps for a little bit afterwards. You can't even tell he has a disability when he walks. He was declared non-releasable since he can't run well enough to catch prey or escape danger.
"Zuni" the Coyote was admitted in the spring of 2011 as an orphan. She was already human socialized by the time she came to our center and so could not be released back into the wild.
A human socialized Coyote transferred back from Children’s Museum in Hartford, CT in September 2022.
"Sir Cornelius", the Virginia Opossum. Sir Cornelius arrived as an orphan in 2022. Suffering from a genetic defect, her hind legs didn't grow properly. She is non-releasable. She has adapted to being a wonderful Outreach Education Ambassador.
Daffodil arrived as an orphan in 2022. Suffering from a genetic defect, her hind legs didn't grow properly. She is non-releasable. Photograph courtesy of Rosa Renner Photography.
"Maddie", the groundhog, was brought in with neurological (head trauma) issues. It was decided she would not recover enough to survive in the wild.
Fred came to the center in 2021 with head trauma. It is assumed he was hit by a car. Deemed non-releasable due to his permanent neurological trauma, he will live in our new Groundhog enclosure. Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography
Reptiles & Amphibians
"Marty" an Eastern Box Turtle was admitted to our center several years ago after being hit by a car and losing one of her back legs. She is a resident in our education center.
"Houdini", an Eastern Box Turtle, was admitted to our center in 2013 after being hit by a car and losing one of his back legs. He is a resident in our education center. Houdini was named for his ability to disappear in his enclosure.
"Genevieve", the Three-toed Box Turtle, was transferred from an academic facility that was no longer working with Ambassador Animals. Genevieve is believed to be from 20-25 years old. You can visit her in the Education Center. She loves children and will often come to the front of her enclosure to say hello.
"Stanley", a Red-eared Slider, was donated with the Turtle Tank in 2019. Stanley is very interactive with visitors and can be seen swimming or warming himself under the heat lamp in the Visitors Center.
"Van Gogh", a painted turtle, was brought to TreeHouse in 2020. He was missing one front and one back leg. As he is a painted turtle, he was given the name 'Van Gogh'.
"Hazel", a Western Hognose Snake, was a DNR confiscation case. Western Hognose Snakes are state threatened and thus individuals must have permits to keep the snakes as pets. Hazel is now an Education Outreach Ambassador.
"Noodle", an Albino California Kingsnake, was donated to our center 2019 and is an Education Outreach Ambassador.
An owner-surrender juvenile salamander were brought to us in 2023
Permanent Residents
Get to know our wildlife ambassadors! Our permanent resident birds and mammals are all native rescues who were injured and/or unable to return to the wild. Hover over their pictures to learn more about them. If you have a favorite, consider donating to help with their shelter and care.