It’s time to look back on 2025! Check our blog between Christmas and New Year’s for a variety of stories and memories of 2025 from the staff of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
April was a busy month at the Wildlife Center, filled with programs, tours, and open houses, but we still made time to celebrate one very important event — our favorite Bald Eagle’s hatch-day! While we don’t know the exact birthdays or “hatch-days” for most of our education ambassadors, we’re incredibly fortunate to know that Buddy came squawking into the world on April 27th, 2008. When planning his celebration, we found ourselves thinking, “Wouldn’t it be great if everyone could celebrate him?” So we invited members of the public to send Buddy birthday cards — and they did not disappoint!
We received cards from all over wishing Buddy a happy “hatch-day,” and yes, I opened and read every single one of them! I even convinced a teacher friend of mine to have her classroom make Buddy their own set of cards. Each one was filled with fun drawings of him and wishes such as, “I hope you get the biggest fish for your birthday.” More and more cards came flooding in, and we even made him a big card from our staff at the Center!
April 27th quickly arrived, and we got to see just how much our supporters care about Buddy and the impact he has on the community. Watching the cards (more than 90 in total!) roll in was a reminder of something I see every day, but never get tired of — how deeply an ambassador animal can connect with people, and inspire a passion for wildlife conservation. Seeing Buddy’s hatch-day cards spread across the ground of his enclosure really drove that home for me. Every note, every drawing, and every message wishing him a happy 17th hatch-day represented someone he has reached, whether through a program, a Critter Cam moment, or simply by hearing his story.
Here's to many more hatch-days to come, Buddy!
– Haley Williamson, Ambassador Program Manager