Resident Animals

Meet our incredible wildlife ambassadors! These permanent residents are native rescues who have sustained injuries or cannot be released back into the wild. Hover over their photos to discover their unique stories. If one of them captures your heart, you can support their care by becoming a guardian. Simply click the button below to view a price list by species and download the guardianship form.

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Photo credit Rees Harroun

Our Birds

Spuds 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. Spuds is sponsored in memory of Mel and Shirley McCann.	Mac 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. Mac is sponsored by Gary Surgeon.	Ozzy 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. Ozzy is Sponsored by Gary Surgeon.
Emrys 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. Emrys is sponsored by Phillips 66.	Bandit 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. Bandit is sponsored by Emily Gillula.	Cirrus 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. Cirrus is sponsored by Shannon Fulton.
Luke 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. Luke is sponsored "in memory of Zac Disher", Mike and Theresa Landon, Matt and Melissa Ringering, Sean and Stephannie Hultz & Hamel Cub Scout Pack 53. Additional sponsors can sponsor him for $100 as a special price for hawks. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography	Ayana 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. Ayana is Sponsored in memory of Ellie Yocius. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography	Sizzler Sizzler is red-shouldered hawk from the Springfield area brought here in December 2022 with wing fractures leaving them partially flighted. Sizzler is sponsored by Judie and Crew & Heather's Zen Den Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography
Maorga 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. Maorga is sponsored by The Morrisons.	Billy 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. Billy is sponsored by Julie Whitmire, Tom Hansen, and Elaine Grove.	Cessna 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. Cessna is sponsored in honor of Peyton Watsek. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography
Josephine Gay Josephine Gay is a female American Kestrel found in East Alton with a wing fracture in the spring of 2022. She is sponsored in memory of Josephine Gay Nall. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography	Isaac Newton 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. He has a wing and neck injury from the accident which deemed him not releasable. Isaac is quite the character and often will come up to greet guests. Crowned Critter of the Year 2020. Isaac is sponsored by Col. Stephen R. Miller and Sean Currier O'Neal.	Karion 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. She is sponsored by Eric Bloemker in honor of his sister Karen.
Einstein 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. She is sponsored by Thomas J. Currier.	Luther 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. He is sponsored in memory of Luther Disher.	Penelope 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. She is sponsored by Johanna Raimond and Karen Sheley. Photo credit: Niki Buslar
Gabriella A pair of Canada Geese were brought to Treehouse after attempting to befriend some residents. It has been determined they are too tame to be released. Gabriella the unbanded goose of the pair and is sponsored by The Dooley Family and Gabriela Turpin & Seth Finnessy. Photo Credit Willow Simmons.	Gertrude A pair of Canada Geese were brought to Treehouse after attempting to befriend some people. It has been determined they are too tame to be released. The pair were DNA tested for our spring Baby Shower in 2025 and found to be females. This goose has a green leg band. Gertrude is sponsored by Sherry Knudsen. Photo Credit Willow Simmons.	Patrick Patrick is a Mallard drake found in the woods as a small duckling. He has a wing deformation called angel wing that rendered him flightless. he is an education ambassador. He is sponsored by The Kolker Family. Photo credit Rees Haroun
Cole 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. He is sponsored by Elaine Grove.	Jack 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! He is sponsored in memory of Jack Tarter. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography	Victor 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. He is sponsored by Troy Veterinary Clinic. Photo Credit Rosa Renner Photography
Marcy 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. In 2025 Marcy had an eye removed due to a large cataract. She is a foster parent to baby owlets and is sponsored by Roland, Jersey, Austin and Riley.	Amaretto 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 an Education Outreach Ambassador. He sponsored by Young Treehouse Friends, The Kolker Family, and Troy Veterinary Clinic. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Our Mammals

Nugget Nugget is a flying squirrel brought to Treehouse as a neonate with his sibling in 2024. While his sibling was released, Nugget became overly friendly and curious about humans deeming him un-releasable. He is sponsored in honor of Jacob Disher.	Dorian Dorian, a Gray Fox was transferred from a private center in on the east coast in August 2019. Volunteers drove for three days round trip before hurricane Dorian hit the area to bring him back to TreeHouse. He is sponsored by Timothy Crawford.	Utah 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. he is sponsored by David and Debra Rudolph.
Moxie Moxie came to TreeHouse in 2020 after being found wandering in a neighborhood. We are unsure of her previous history. She is sponsored by Elaine Grove.	Fagin 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. He is sponsored by Lee Ann Kaskutas. Photo Credit Willow Simmons	Nyx 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. She was deemed non-releasable and will remain at TreeHouse. She is sponsored by Elaine Grove.
Rizzo 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. Rizzo is sponsored by Chris and Rita Blake & Johanna Raimond and Karen Sheley	Boots Boots came to us from brought to us from the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center when their education program closed. He was a rehab pup, born in 2024 who loves people and is very friendly. Bootsie is sponsored by Trinity's Way	Winnie Winnie was given to treehouse in the spring of 2024 after being raised by humans and habituated. She is un-releasable and now education ambassador. She is sponsored by Jules and Vernon Springman & Troy Veterinary Clinic & Eden Hough. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography
Codino Codino- a Virginia Opossum was brought to TreeHouse with his siblings in the spring of 2025. As the smallest of the litter, he was picked on by his siblings and had to be separated from them after they bit part of his tail off. Later, after much care, and repeated issues with healing, the veterinary team made a decision to amputate his tail. Because of his calm and gentle demeanor, our animal care team made the secision to keep him as a permanent resident. He is sponsored by Tyler Middendorf.	Maddie Maddie, the groundhog, was brought in with neurological (head trauma) issues. It was decided she would not recover enough to survive in the wild. She is sponsored by Elaine and Greg Walling & Carolyn Robbins. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography	Ava Ava is a chocolate and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. She is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons
Chaz Chaz is a chocolate and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, he is now home at TreeHouse. He is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons	Stephanie Stephanie is a black and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. She is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons	Flower A black and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. This girl is sponsored by Elaine Grove. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

Our Reptiles and Amphibians

Hopscotch This Grey treefrog was brought to Tree House in the fall of 2024. He was found on a sidewalk after having his head stepped on. He is sponsored by The Kolker Family & Troy Veterinary Clinic. Photo credit: Rees Haroun	Percy This Eastern Box Turtle was brought to TreeHouse after a possible car accident. It has sustained damage to its beak. He is sponsored by the Kolker Family. Photo credit Rees Haroun	Marty "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. She is sponsored by Geoffrey and Katherine Ralston.
Houdini "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. he is sponsored by Young Treehouse Friends and Elaine Grove.	Genevieve "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. Photo credit: Kimberly Brown-Azzarello. He is sponsored in Honor of Genevive and Charles Hoffman.	Stanley "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. He is sponsored by Aryn Hunter. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
Van Gogh "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'. he is sponsored by Young Treehouse Friends.	Noodle "Noodle", an Albino California Kingsnake, was donated to our center 2019 and is an Education Outreach Ambassador. She is sponsored by Geoffrey and Katherine Ralston & Troy Veterinary Clinic.	Cracker Jack Cracker Jack was donated for the purpose of education on August 3rd 2025. Cracker Jack was hatched in 2020 and kept as a pet by his original owner until she decided to share him with others by donating him. Corn snakes are extremely common pets as they are social and highly interactive. Cracker Jack is a perfect example of this as he loves to be out and about interacting with the public. He is sponsored by Vanessa Mezo.
Milkshake Milkshake is a Nelson's Eastern Milksnake hybrid brought to TreeHouse in 2025. He had been recovered by the IDNR herpetologist in 2023. While his age is unknown, he has proven to be a very friendly snake and a great addition to our education program. He is sponsored by The Granite City Environmental Science Class.	Cosmo An owner-surrender juvenile salamander were brought to us in 2023. He is sponsored by Samantha Disher. Photo Credit Rees Haroun

Resident Animals

Photo credit Rees Harroun

Our Birds

Spuds

Mac

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. Mac is sponsored by Gary Surgeon.

Ozzy

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. Ozzy is Sponsored by Gary Surgeon.

Emrys

Bandit

Cirrus

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. Cirrus is sponsored by Shannon Fulton.

Luke

Ayana

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. Ayana is Sponsored in memory of Ellie Yocius. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Sizzler

Sizzler is red-shouldered hawk from the Springfield area brought here in December 2022 with wing fractures leaving them partially flighted. Sizzler is sponsored by Judie and Crew & Heather's Zen Den Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Maorga

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. Maorga is sponsored by The Morrisons.

Billy

Cessna

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. Cessna is sponsored in honor of Peyton Watsek. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography

Josephine Gay

Josephine Gay is a female American Kestrel found in East Alton with a wing fracture in the spring of 2022. She is sponsored in memory of Josephine Gay Nall. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography

Isaac Newton

Karion

Einstein

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. She is sponsored by Thomas J. Currier.

Luther

Penelope

Gabriella

A pair of Canada Geese were brought to Treehouse after attempting to befriend some residents. It has been determined they are too tame to be released. Gabriella the unbanded goose of the pair and is sponsored by The Dooley Family and Gabriela Turpin & Seth Finnessy. Photo Credit Willow Simmons.

Gertrude

Patrick

Patrick is a Mallard drake found in the woods as a small duckling. He has a wing deformation called angel wing that rendered him flightless. he is an education ambassador. He is sponsored by The Kolker Family. Photo credit Rees Haroun

Cole

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. He is sponsored by Elaine Grove.

Jack

Victor

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. He is sponsored by Troy Veterinary Clinic. Photo Credit Rosa Renner Photography

Marcy

Amaretto

Our Mammals

Nugget

Nugget is a flying squirrel brought to Treehouse as a neonate with his sibling in 2024. While his sibling was released, Nugget became overly friendly and curious about humans deeming him un-releasable. He is sponsored in honor of Jacob Disher.

Dorian

Dorian, a Gray Fox was transferred from a private center in on the east coast in August 2019. Volunteers drove for three days round trip before hurricane Dorian hit the area to bring him back to TreeHouse. He is sponsored by Timothy Crawford.

Utah

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. he is sponsored by David and Debra Rudolph.

Moxie

Moxie came to TreeHouse in 2020 after being found wandering in a neighborhood. We are unsure of her previous history. She is sponsored by Elaine Grove.

Fagin

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. He is sponsored by Lee Ann Kaskutas. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

Nyx

Rizzo

Boots

Boots came to us from brought to us from the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center when their education program closed. He was a rehab pup, born in 2024 who loves people and is very friendly. Bootsie is sponsored by Trinity's Way

Winnie

Winnie was given to treehouse in the spring of 2024 after being raised by humans and habituated. She is un-releasable and now education ambassador. She is sponsored by Jules and Vernon Springman & Troy Veterinary Clinic & Eden Hough. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography

Codino

Maddie

Maddie, the groundhog, was brought in with neurological (head trauma) issues. It was decided she would not recover enough to survive in the wild. She is sponsored by Elaine and Greg Walling & Carolyn Robbins. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Ava

Ava is a chocolate and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. She is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

Chaz

Chaz is a chocolate and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, he is now home at TreeHouse. He is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

Stephanie

Stephanie is a black and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. She is sponsored by The Mellor Family. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

Flower

A black and white skunk rescued in early 2025 from a fur and exotic pet farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Saved from deplorable conditions, she is now home at TreeHouse. This girl is sponsored by Elaine Grove. Photo Credit Willow Simmons

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Our Reptiles and Amphibians

Hopscotch

This Grey treefrog was brought to Tree House in the fall of 2024. He was found on a sidewalk after having his head stepped on. He is sponsored by The Kolker Family & Troy Veterinary Clinic. Photo credit: Rees Haroun

Percy

This Eastern Box Turtle was brought to TreeHouse after a possible car accident. It has sustained damage to its beak. He is sponsored by the Kolker Family. Photo credit Rees Haroun

Marty

"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. She is sponsored by Geoffrey and Katherine Ralston.

Houdini

"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. he is sponsored by Young Treehouse Friends and Elaine Grove.