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 shelter and 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 Haroun

Our Birds

Hope 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. Hope is Sponsored by Gary Surgeon.	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.	Hershey 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. Hershey is unsponsored and on hospice care.	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 by Gabriela Turpin and "in memory of Zac Disher". Additional sponsors can sponsor him for $100 as a special price for hawks. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography
Huey 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. Huey is sponsored by Heather's Zen Den. 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. 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 Morgan Family.	Lief Lief, the Peregrine Falcon 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. Leif is sponsored by Patrice Vaeth. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography	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.
Ed 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. He is sponsored by The Loading Dock.	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 The Loading Dock. 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. 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	Topaz 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. He is sponsored in memory of Richard (Dick) Ivester. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography
Owlbert 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. He is sponsored by Lee Ann Kaskutas.	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
Chili 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 a retired outreach bird. He is sponsored by Elaine Grove.	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 can be sponsored for $500. 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. She is a foster parent to baby owlets and is sponsored in memory of Marcy Ann Thompson. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
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 sponsored by Young Treehouse Friends. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography	Ingram 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. She is sponsored by Hannah Kolker. Photo by 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 North Carolina 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 Mason and Ellie Dunham.	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 unsponsored but can be supported for $750.	Zuni 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. She is sponsored by Trinity's Way.	Seneca Seneca is a human socialized Coyote transferred back from Children’s Museum in Hartford, CT in September 2022. She is sponsored by Trinity's Way. Photo: Sarah Ditterline Riley
Bootsie Stay tuned for a new Coyote! Bootsie can be sponsored for $750.	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. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography	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 The Glacier Peak Girls Vollyball Team. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography
Fred 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. He is sponsored by 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	Unnamed 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 can be sponsored for $250. 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. Photo credit: Rees Haroun	Unnamed This Eastern Box Turtle was brought to TreeHouse after a possible car accident. It has sustained damage to its beak. he can be sponsored for $100. 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. She 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 Louis and Jack Yates. 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.	Clayton This example of the Illinois state snake was brought to TreeHouse as an owner surrender. He has an adorable heart shaped marking on his head and is working on being an education animal. He is sponsored by Sherry Knudson. Photo Credit Rees Haroun	Hazel "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. She is sponsored by Nathan & Nicole Schneider and Vanessa Mezo.
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.	Cosmo An owner-surrender juvenile salamander were brought to us in 2023. He is sponsored by Tom and Chris Cammack. Photo Credit Rees Haroun

Resident Animals

Photo credit Rees Haroun

Our Birds

Hope

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.

Hershey

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. Hershey is unsponsored and on hospice care.

Luke

Huey

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. 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 Morgan Family.

Lief

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

Ed

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. 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

Topaz

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. He is sponsored in memory of Richard (Dick) Ivester. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography

Owlbert

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

Chili

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 can be sponsored for $500. Photo Credit Rosa Renner Photography

Marcy

Amaretto

Ingram

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 North Carolina 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 Mason and Ellie Dunham.

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

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 unsponsored but can be supported for $750.

Zuni

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. She is sponsored by Trinity's Way.

Seneca

Seneca is a human socialized Coyote transferred back from Children’s Museum in Hartford, CT in September 2022. She is sponsored by Trinity's Way. Photo: Sarah Ditterline Riley

Bootsie

Stay tuned for a new Coyote! Bootsie can be sponsored for $750.

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. Photo: Rosa Renner Photography

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 The Glacier Peak Girls Vollyball Team. Photo credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Fred

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. He is sponsored by Carolyn Robbins. Photo Credit: Rosa Renner Photography

Ava