A nine-banded armadillo is steadily recovering from life-threatening injuries thanks to the quick actions of a local rescuer and the veterinary team at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).

The adult female armadillo was found lying in the middle of a roadway after being struck by a vehicle. Seeing that she was still breathing and attempting to move, the rescuer immediately transported her to CROW’s wildlife hospital on Sanibel Island for emergency care.

Upon arrival, CROW’s veterinary team discovered the armadillo (patient 26-2817) had sustained a large wound across her back.

When startled, armadillos instinctively leap several feet into the air as a defense mechanism. Motorists often swerve to avoid hitting animals, but the underside of the vehicle can still strike an armadillo if it jumps.

Fortunately, this patient was found quickly enough to receive lifesaving medical attention.

Since arriving at CROW, the armadillo has received intensive supportive treatment, including pain management, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and careful monitoring.

A major focus of her recovery has been meticulous wound management. Veterinary staff regularly flush and clean the injury, replace protective bandages, and have performed multiple surgical debridement procedures. Debridement is the removal of damaged, nonviable tissue to encourage proper healing.

Although her recovery will take time, the armadillo has continued to make steady progress under the hospital’s care.

How can you help armadillos?

Nine-banded armadillos are primarily nocturnal, heading out in the darker hours to forage for grubs, ants, and other insects. Their nighttime activity often brings them across roads, where vehicle collisions are one of the greatest threats they face.

As development and road networks continue to expand, vehicle collisions remain a significant source of injury and mortality for many wildlife species. CROW encourages motorists to remain alert, especially on roads that border natural habitats, and to watch for wildlife crossing after dusk.

Each year, CROW treats thousands of injured, sick, and orphaned native and migratory wild animals. Every patient receives specialized medical care with the ultimate goal of returning healthy wildlife to its natural habitat whenever possible.

CROW Case A Week stories are patient features that appear weekly in Santiva Chronicle.