Cape Wildlife Center

06/18/2026

This Common Tern was brought to our Cape Wildlife Center by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife team monitoring the colony on Ram Island after they noticed he was unable to fly.

Our veterinary team found that he was thin and holding one wing lower than the other. X-rays showed no obvious fractures, but we suspect a soft tissue injury involving the shoulder. We also noted poor feather quality, something that can happen when birds are grounded for extended periods and aren’t able to properly preen and maintain their feathers. So for now, the plan is simple: cage rest, pain medication, and nutritional support while he recovers.

We’re happy to report that he has already regained his appetite, and we’re hopeful that as he starts feeling better, he’ll get back to keeping those feathers in order. 🙂‍↕️

Common Terns are elegant seabirds that nest in colonies on islands and beaches throughout Massachusetts. They spend much of their time over open water, hovering and plunging beneath the surface to catch small fish. Their sharp calls and graceful flight make them one of the most recognizable sights of summer along the coast.

Young terns grow up fast. Chicks leave the nest after just a few days but remain close to their parents, who continue feeding them for weeks after they take their first flight.

We’re rooting for this patient to be back in the skies soon.

06/16/2026

Action Alert 🚨

Today, June 17, the House of Representatives is taking up the Mass Ready Act, and Amendment #10 would phase out the use of anticoagulant rodenticides statewide.

Across Massachusetts, thousands of beloved pets and wildlife, including owls, hawks, and foxes, are being poisoned by these toxic rodenticides. And many die after suffering prolonged, painful deaths from ingesting rodenticides through contaminated prey.

Make your voice heard!

Contact your representatives today and urge them to support this amendment. We need them to hear from as many supporters as possible before they vote on June 17.

Speak up: https://web.massaudubon.org/site/Advocacy?page=UserAction&cmd=display&id=377

06/15/2026

Becoming a member of NEWCS and the Cape Wildlife Center is one of the most meaningful ways to support our work throughout the year.

Your membership helps provide specialized veterinary care for injured and orphaned wildlife, supports conservation and STEM education programs, and strengthens our ability to serve communities across Cape Cod, Massachusetts and New England.

You don’t have to be a veterinarian to help wildlife.

By becoming a member of New England Wildlife Centers, you become part of the team behind every rescue, every recovery, and every release.

Your support helps provide specialized care for thousands of wild animals each year while also strengthening conservation, education, and community programs throughout Massachusetts.

We’ve recently added new membership benefits and opportunities to connect more closely with our work, with membership levels designed for individuals, families, and dedicated supporters alike. From guided nature walks and behind-the-scenes updates to one-on-one time with our education birds and free tickets to special events, membership offers unique ways to connect with the mission while helping make it possible.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a lasting difference for wildlife and the communities we serve, we'd love to welcome you to one of the most impactful ways to support this critical work.

Because every patient has a story - and as a member, you become part of it.

Join us at newildlife.org/memberships or email [email protected].

06/14/2026

Young skunks can be surprisingly resilient with the right care and support.

This little skunk came to us as a transfer from Wild Care Cape Cod after being found here on the Cape. He arrived dehydrated and in need of help, but we're happy to report that he's doing well and is now recovering in our care.

Skunks are one of Massachusetts' most misunderstood native mammals. In fact, the Striped Skunk is the only skunk species found in the state. They're mostly active at night and spend their evenings searching for insects, grubs, small animals, and seasonal fruits.

Of course, skunks are best known for their famous defense mechanism. Despite their reputation, spraying is truly a last resort. Given the chance, skunks would much rather avoid conflict altogether. Before spraying, they usually put on quite a show: stamping their front feet, arching their backs, and raising their tails as a warning.

As a rabies vector species, skunks require specialized handling and additional precautions during rehabilitation. Wildlife professionals caring for these patients are rabies vaccinated and still use extensive personal protective equipment, including masks and other barriers, to keep both people and animals safe. For the public, the best approach is always to give skunks a safe distance and contact a licensed rehabilitator if assistance is needed.

When they're young their scent glands are still developing, so their attempts at spraying will be more of a spritz than the full-strength version. But for rehabbers facing the challenge of caring for skunks while trying not to get sprayed, our team has developed a few techniques for staying one step ahead. One trick? Gently tucking the tail underneath during handling so they don’t try to spray their own tail. That technique only helps us for so long and when they start fully spraying that tells us they are ready to be moved to an outdoor enclosure!

Skunks may waddle, dig holes, and occasionally make life interesting for wildlife rehabilitators, but they’re also an important part of healthy ecosystems, helping control insects and rodents while cleaning up carrion and other organic matter. We’re grateful to be able to help this little guy on his journey, and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to grow stronger.

06/13/2026

Join us tomorrow at our Cape Wildlife Center Community Volunteer Day!

We’re inviting wildlife lovers ages 16+ to help us get the hospital grounds ready for our busy summer season of wildlife patients. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the work we do, connect with others who care about wildlife, and lend a hand with outdoor projects around the Cape Wildlife Center.

Projects will be announced the day of, but may include staining our large flight cage, spreading wood chips, exterior painting, gardening, and landscaping. Our ambassador owls may even make an appearance!

No sign-up needed - just drop by. 🤗

🗓️ Sunday, June 14th
🕙 10 am – 1 pm
📍 Cape Wildlife Center, 4011 Main Street, Barnstable, MA

Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Can't join us in person but want to help? You can share this post or tag a friend to help get the word out! Thank you, friends!! 🩵

06/02/2026

For this young hawk, the next step is finding a family.

This red-shouldered hawk nestling was blown from his nest during recent storms in Plymouth, MA. While reunification is always our first goal for young birds, circumstances in this case made that not possible. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean he has to grow up in human care.

Our team is now working with a wildlife biologist to locate a suitable foster nest where this youngster can be adopted by wild red-shouldered hawk parents and continue developing alongside other young hawks!

For birds of prey, growing up with their own kind is incredibly important. From learning species-appropriate behaviors to avoiding habituation to humans, every effort is made to keep young patients on a path toward the best possible life in the wild.

In the meantime, this little nestling is receiving plenty of care while we search for the perfect foster placement. We’ll keep everyone posted as his next chapter unfolds!

Did you know?

🪶 Red-shouldered hawks are named for the reddish-brown patches visible on their shoulders

🪶 During breeding season, they can be among the most vocal raptors in the forest, known for their distinctive “kee-yer” call that can carry long distances

🪶 They often return to the same nesting territories year after year, frequently building nests near wetlands and wooded waterways

🪶 Their courtship flights can be surprisingly acrobatic, with pairs sometimes rolling onto their backs and briefly flying upside down

05/31/2026

This might just look like lunch, but we see a major milestone!

Not long ago, this opossum was recovering from major surgery performed by our medical team at the Cape Wildlife Center to repair a fractured jaw - with a feeding tube put in place to make sure he could receive nutrition while he healed.

But this patient had plans for a speedier recovery.

He started eating a liquid diet on his own the very next day, and continued doing so consistently enough that we never actually needed to use the feeding tube! After several days of eating independently, it was removed.

Since then, we’ve slowly progressed his menu to include wet cat food, scrambled eggs, and mashed fruits. Today he’s enjoying soaked dry cat food and other more solid foods now that he can chew comfortably again.

The wire stabilizing his jaw will remain in place for another 8–10 weeks while the bone continues to heal, but so far he has been an absolute champ!

05/27/2026

Not every turtle struck on the road gets a second chance like this one.

This snapping turtle arrived at our weymouth hospital with thanks to Duxbury Animal Control with significant shell trauma. He sustained two fractures to his shell and a shearing injuring, which is when the top layer of shell is removed. He was stabilized with fluids, pain meds, and antibiotics and then transferred to our cape hospital for a shell repair surgery.

Our veterinary team surgically wired the loose shell fragments together and then applied beeswax to the area of shell that had gotten sheared off. Using wires and a specialized beeswax technique developed by our Medical Director, Dr. Patel, the team was able to repair the shell while still allowing the turtle to safely submerge in water - something that’s critically important for hydration, comfort, and normal behavior during the healing process.

This time of year, we begin seeing more and more turtles injured while crossing roads in search of nesting habitat. They are awakening from the brumating (hibernating) spots and navigating over to their mating/ nesting sites. Please slow down when traveling and if you see a turtle trying to cross the road, if it is safe to pull over, you can help it by moving it across the road in the same direction it is traveling. If it happens to be a snapping turtle please give us a call first so we can give you the best advice of how to assist it across the road without getting hurt.

05/24/2026

Tick season is in full swing - so let’s clear a few things up.

Barnstable County's Extension Educator in Entomology & Horticulture, Escher Cattle, walks us through some of the biggest misconceptions people still have about ticks, from whether they can coordinate aerial attacks to the best ways to remove one. If you're planning on spending any time outdoors, this is worth a watch. Knowledge (and preparation) really does make a difference!

And if you want to add even more tools to your toolbox this season, check out Barnstable County’s helpful “Make a Tick Kit” resource, with practical tips and prevention must-haves to keep at home, in the car, or in your backpack this season: https://www.capecod.gov/departments/cooperative-extension/programs/ticks-bugs/make-a-tick-kit

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment Barnstable County Government Town of Barnstable