Wildlife Care at Blue Hills Trailside Museum
None of the animals at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum could survive without human help. The animals are either orphans raised by humans, permanently disabled by injury, were born in captivity, or impossible to return to their exact habitat (which is critical for reptiles).
These animals, which represent some of the species that are native to Massachusetts, give visitors the opportunity to experience the rich variety of life found in this area.
Outdoor
These animals are on permanent display in the outdoor enclosures. We’re frequently asked if we bring any of the animals in for the winter, but all of these animals naturally stay active through Massachusetts winters and therefore are not brought inside.
| Animal | Born | At Museum | Unreleasable Due To |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Otter (female) | 2006 | 2006 | Born in captivity |
| River Otter (female) | 2022 | 2023 | Born in captivity |
| Snowy Owl (female) | unknown | 2015 | Impaired flight |
| Snowy Owl (male | 2020 | 2023 | Permanent wing injury/impaired flight |
| White-tailed Deer (female) | 2008 | 2008 | Orphaned |
| Red Tailed Hawk (male) | c.1986 | 1987 | Missing left eye |
| Red-tailed Hawk (female) | 1998 | 1998 | Missing right eye |
| Turkey Vulture | unknown | 2009 | Permanent wing injury |
| Black Vulture | unknown | 2018 | Permanent wing injury |
| Bald Eagle | 2013 | 2013 | Nerve damage (lead poisoning) |
| Red Fox (male) | 2017 | 2017 | Orphaned |
Indoor
These smaller animals are on permanent display in the Museum’s indoor exhibit hall.
| Animal | Born | At Museum | Unreleasable Due To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Screech Owl (red morph) | 2018 | 2018 | Orphaned |
| Great Horned Owl | 1999 | 1999 | Orphaned / blind in right eye |
| Striped Skunk | 2023 | 2023 | Orphaned |
| Timber Rattlesnake (black phase) | unknown | 2007 | Habitat return impossible |
| Timber Rattlesnake (yellow phase) | unknown | 2007 | Habitat return impossible |
| Eastern Copperhead | 1993 | 1993 | Habitat return impossible |
| Grey Tree Frog | 2020 | 2022 | Habitat return impossible |
| Honeybees | constantly | 2020 (queen) | Domesticated animals |
Seasonal
These reptiles are kept in the museum’s animal care facility during the colder months of the year.
| Species | Born | At Museum | Unreleasable Due To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanding's Turtle (male) | unknown | 1984 | Habitat return impossible |
| Eastern Box Turtle (male) | unknown | prior to 1974 | Habitat return impossible |
| Eastern Box Turtle (male) | unknown | prior to 1974 | Habitat return impossible |
| Eastern Box Turtle (female) | unknown | prior to 1974 | Habitat return impossible |
| Eastern Box Turtle (female) | unknown | 1980 | Surrendered pet |
| Musk Turtle | 2004 | 2004 | Habitat return impossible |
| Musk Turtle | 2004 | 2004 | Habitat return impossible |
| Painted Turtle | unknown | 1979 | Surrendered pet |
| Spotted Turtle | unknown | prior to 1974 | Habitat return impossible |
| Spotted Turtle | unknown | prior to 1974 | Missing one foot |
| Wood Turtle | unknown | 1992 | Habitat return impossible |
For Educational Programs
These "Animal Ambassadors" are only used for educational programs and are not usually on display at the Museum. They enrich our school programs and ignite the spark of curiosity and wonder for students, inspiring them to learn about and protect the natural world.
| Species | Born | At Museum | Unreleasable Due To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Screech Owl (brown morph) | 2019 | 2019 | Orphaned |
| Eastern Screech Owl (red morph) | 2023 | 2023 | Orphaned |
| Barred Owl (female) | 2008 | 2008 | Orphaned |
| Barn Owl | 2007 | 2007 | Orphaned |
| Great Horned Owl (female) | 2011 | 2011 | Orphaned |
| American Kestrel (female) | 2010 | 2011 | Orphaned |
| American Kestrel (male) | 2016 | 2017 | USFWS research animal |
| Peregrine Falcon (female) | 2011 | 2012 | Permanent wing injury |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 2016 | 2016 | Orphaned |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 2004 | 2004 | Orphaned |
| Pigeon | Unknown | 2021 | Believed to be domestic bird that was lost or released |
| American Crow | 2021 | 2022 | Orphaned |
| Corn Snake | 2007 | 2022 | Surrendered pet |
| Eastern Black Rat Snake | Unknown | 2022 | Surrendered pet |
| Milk Snake | 2021 | 2023 | Habitat return impossible |