The Wildlife Center of Virginia is celebrating a major milestone thanks to a young Eastern Cottontail rabbit.
The little rabbit was admitted back in May for treatment, but there was something celebratory about the admission.
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According to the center, the rabbit marked the center’s 90,000th patient since 1982, which is when the nonprofit organization was founded.
Alex Wehrung, Outreach Public Affairs manager told 10 News they get hundreds of cottontails each year, but this one was especially meaningful. Wehrung said the center started from humble beginnings, but now cares for a little over 3,500 patients each year.
For nearly 40 years, the wildlife rescue service has strived to provide quality health care to native wildlife in need. During that period, the center has been able to care for more than 90,000 animals and more than 200 species.
Wehrung said the milestone is representative of the center’s overarching mission.
“Our mission statement, our guiding mission is not taking care of wild animals, it is teaching the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment, Wehrung said. “We achieve that mission in every department, every single day, 7 days a week, for the past 40 years.”
Whether it be native birds, black bears or even reptiles, the Center staff said they try to put their best foot forward when caring for animals.
The current Wildlife Center President and co-founder, Ed Clark, says he is elated with the achievement and hopes it serves as an opportunity to uphold its guiding mission statement, “teaching the world to care about and care for wildlife and the environment.”
See a statement from Clark below:
It is astonishing to realize that the Wildlife Center of Virginia has been saving wild lives for nearly 40 years. It is even more amazing to consider that, during those 40 years, the Center has admitted more than 90,000 wild patients. The number includes a great diversity of wild species, from the very smallest to the largest, and the most common to some of the most rare and endangered. These patients have presented with a wide range of injuries and environmental problems, but the Center has always been here for them. The Center has been able to accomplish all of this thanks to the legions of dedicated professionals, students, and volunteers who help in this life-saving work, and through the generosity of thousands of caring and committed donors and supporters.
Ed Clark, current Wildlife Center President