Milestones are nothing new at the Wildlife Center of Virginia after 42 years of caring for wild animals, but Wednesday afternoon’s is especially important.
The Center admitted its 100,000th patient, a Northern Ring-necked snake from Staunton that had been stuck to a tree in a glue trap along with two dead snakes.
The Northern Ring-necked snake is the 69th snake to enter the Center’s hospital emergency room in 2024.
“We will do our best to give that snake a second chance – a chance to be returned to the wild,” said Wildlife Center of Virginia Senior Vice President Amanda Nicholson.
The Center is able to help wild animals like the snake and owl because of donations and financial support from the local community.
Nicholson said that while the snake will not get a party to mark the milestone, she might bring in cookies for staff and students.
“But, more important than a party, patient No. 100,000 will receive our very best care, and we’ll continue our work — treating not only this milestone patient but also the other 172 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals currently in our care,” Nicholson said.
The Center will also continue its work of training the next generation of wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators, and teach the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.
Nicholson said that as she sent a note to local press, the Center’s 100,001th patient, a Great Horned Owl, was admitted. By the time she finished an email to local press, a Pied-billed Grebe from Bath County was the 100,007th patient.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is at 1800 S. Delphine Ave., Waynesboro.
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Rebecca Barnabi
