Educational Ambassadors
of Gordon Wildlife

Non-releasable raccoons living out their lives in comfort.

The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is always to raise an animal for successful release back to nature.

However, there are occasionally animals with extenuating medical circumstances who would be unable to survive in the wild, but whose temperaments and needs make them able to live full and active happy lives in care. Every effort is always made to work towards releasability.

Gordon Wildlife has made a lifelong commitment to offer sanctuary to a crew of non-releasable animals who will live out their days with us.

We are currently fundraising to build a public education and visitor center to provide luxurious, custom-built accommodations for our differently-abled raccoons, and to allow the public a chance to see them up close.

While we are waiting to build, we have modest viewing areas which allow observation of a few of our temporary enclosures.

Contact us if you are interested in visiting and learning more about these magnificent animals.

Visitors are not permitted to touch the raccoons.

A lot of the essential “hands off” rules of rehabilitation that are crucial to saving the lives of animals being prepared for release do not apply to the circumstances and treatment of ambassador animals.

Part of properly caring for these animals includes spaying/neutering, and administering all vaccinations. They are handled regularly, as much as they will allow, to help them to adjust to and enjoy their quality of life in care.

We provide regular enrichment and interaction, veterinary wellness checks and have committed to providing for their lifelong needs. See below to learn about our raccoons in residence.

Meet Our Resident Ambassadors

Mulberry

Mulberry came to us stunted, deaf, partially blind … and absolutely perfect.

Baby Mulberry was brought in by a local wildlife rehabilitator who realized that she was unusual and might need an advanced level of care.

Mulberry has, indeed, proven to be an incredibly complex case. Her dwarfism results from an insufficient quantity of growth hormones. She is deaf, mostly blind, and has a dramatic underbite that makes her unable to chew solid food.

It may sound like a lot of cards are stacked against her, but nobody has told her that! Mulberry will romp and play, and is quite a little firecracker when she gets in the mood. She is also a snuggle bug, and enjoys being carried around in her fuzzy pouch. Recently Mulberry has been taking short trips out in her blue trolley to experience some of the great outdoors. She loves all the smells, and we are hopeful that she will make an excellent educational ambassador.

Mulberry was tube-fed as an infant, and is now fed specially balanced slurries. She lives in an enclosure which is small enough for her to navigate comfortably from memory, and it will gradually be expanded as she learns her way. We will also be considering options for roommates for her when the time comes.

We don’t know what other medical issues may crop up, or whether complications from her conditions will dramatically shorten her lifespan.

The one thing we DO know is that we will spoil Mulberry rotten and cherish every minute we have with her. She is perfection.

Sponsor Mulberry

Peanut

Peanut: where it all began.

Peanut was the first non-releasable orphan to come into our care. His ultimate fate was the impetus for our relentless searching to find a way to become licensed to legally care for him the rest of his life. And so Gordon Wildlife’s educational sanctuary program was born.

Peanut is blind in one eye and, has a vestibular condition that results in an inability to climb in a downwards direction. A complex series of cat trees, ramps and specially-designed climbing structures allow him to navigate his home base comfortably. He also has something akin to autism, and likes to stick to a very strict daily routine. He does enjoy meeting new people and toys, but does not like to deviate from his expected day and diet (heaven forbid, his food bowl be round and not rectangular! The round bowls are thrown on the floor in disgust). But Peanut wakes up every day in a “groundhog’s day” custom-designed around his simple joys.

Peanut prefers his solitary bachelor life with his human handlers to the company of other raccoons. He is sweet and simple in his needs. Being doted on like royalty suits him just fine and he is living his best life here in “Peanut’s Palace”.

Sponsor Peanut

Raspberry T. Rex

Raspberry T. Rex: the ultimate survivor.

Raspberry T. Rex was born with a condition called radial agenesis, meaning the bones in his front limbs failed to develop properly. He lived a remarkably long time on his own in the wild, getting by on his wits and that famous raccoon adaptability.

As an older juvenile, however, Rex somehow broke one of his hind legs, and that final injury just proved to be too much. When he was finally brought into care, he was dangerously thin, and his chin was rubbed raw from scraping along the ground. It is nothing short of a miracle, and a testament to his extraordinary intelligence and determination, that he survived so long alone in the wild.

With supportive care, time, and medical treatment, Raspberry healed fully from his injuries. He is now an integral part of the “Charcuterie Gang” (aka “The Snack Kids”), along with Asiago, Clover and Crackers. He is a joy to watch, as he walks upright on his hind legs. When he gets particularly excited, he can boing around like a kangaroo.

Raspberry’s adaptations to his physical deformities and problem solving skills are incredible to witness. And, ever a raccoon, when something new catches his attention, he will bend waaaaay down and still use his hands to investigate it, even though his shortened arms are frozen at the elbows.

Because Raspberry was old enough to have spent significant time in the wild, he knows that humans are scary. He is understandably cautious, but he is slowly beginning to figure out that maybe, just maybe, we aren't ALL so bad. His raccoon roommates, who were socialized to people and hand-raised in care since infancy, have gone a long way towards improving his confidence and sense of security. Granola bars also help.

Earning Raspberry’s trust takes time, patience and a willingness to let him make the rules. But when this extraordinary raccoon tentatively opens his heart and extends his magical hand to you, there is no better feeling in the world.

Raspberry is a survivor, a problem solver and an endless inspiration. He has overcome extraordinary odds, and we are continually amazed by his intelligence, resilience and determination.

Sponsor Raspberry T. Rex

Tribble

Tribble: the dwarf who owns everyone.

Tribble was born with Osteochondrodysplasia (dwarfism). She was also fed an inappropriate diet by her original finders, and developed Metabolic Bone Disease, which caused her already shortened limbs to further fold down upon themselves.

Because of the malformation of her limbs, Tribble cannot climb, and would not survive on her on in the wild. She needs careful monitoring to watch for evolving medical issues, as her joints may eventually cause complications which require medical intervention.

In the meantime, Tribble is living her best life as the star of the show. She is an extremely social ambassador animal and her sassy personality makes her a true force of nature. She often sits out in the sun in “Tribble’s Trolly'“ and greets visitors. (Well, ok, she actually only likes Sarah and growls at everyone else, but hey, it’s a greeting. She will, however, still deign to take a treat).

Tribble is the boss, an inspiration and a gift. Her self-entitled antics keep us entertained and on our toes.

Tribble enjoys, well, whatever she wants whenever she wants, thank you very much…. Current hobbies include playing with flappy bird toys, rolling over for belly rubs, barking orders at those around her and shredding stuff.

Sponsor Tribble