2 0 0 9 F A L L / W I N T E R E D I T I O N WILDLIFE REHAB Inc. PO Box 24552 Winston Salem, NC 27114 Phone: (336) 785-0912 A NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED TO CARING FOR WILDLIFE z Cage Plans Take Flight z THANKS TO SCOUTS, ATTILA GETS A NEW HOME Contacts President Karie Martin Vice President of Rehab Wanda Angel Vice President of Administration Carol Orr Secretary Joell Beth Montgomery Treasurer Linda Woodruff Board members Lynn Mastin Carla Johnson Glenda Combs Brenda Hiles, newsletter editor BY CAROL ORR In December, our raptor rehabilitators, Bob and Jean Chamberlain, announced they were working with an injured Gray Screech Owl that would probably not be releasable but could be considered for our Wildlife Education program. He was found in a driveway in Dobson in July 2008, with injuries to his Jarratt Edwards (from left), Greg Montgomery, Ross Owens, Mark Wonsavage, and Jonathan Montgomery helped build a new flight cage for Attila, a Red Screech Owl. right eye and right wing. We believe he was hit by a car. As his rehabilitation continued, it became apparent he was blind in his right eye. The injury to his wing left him unable to fly. After many months of observation, it was decided that he could live a comfortable life as an education bird, serving as an ambassador for his species. Bob Chamberlain began training him to become a
manned bird. We named him Otus. In preparation for his entry into the program, we decided to build a second Screech Owl cage. Attila, our resident Red Eastern Screech Owl, was injured and rehabilitated in 2006 after a collision with a vehicle. He lost his right eye and permanently injured his right wing so he was also unsuitable for release. But over time, he recovered some mobility in his injured wing, and we felt he would benefit from a larger cage. WRI was thinking about a new cage at the same time Jonathan Montgomery of Scout Troop 752 in Lewisville was thinking about what he could do for an Eagle Scout project. To obtain the rank of Eagle, a Scout must complete 21 merit badges and design and carry out a significant service project. Under the guidance of his Scoutmaster, Tom Westmoreland, Jonathan designed the cage following federal requirements for raptors in captivity. His proposed project had to go before a board of review for approval. This is a very intense process and takes many hours of preparation by the Scout. There are also several meetings to attend with the board prior to approval. After six months of research, plan design, cost estimates and the board review process, we were finally ready to begin construction. On Labor Day weekend, Jonathan, members of Scout Troop 752 and Greg Montgomery came together to build Attila a new home. After three days of hard work, we had a cage that measured 5 feet wide by 7 feet long by 7 feet high, a perfect size for Attila to spread his wings and practice flying to new heights. Attila s new cage has two covered corners to protect him from the elements, wood slats and screening to protect him from predators and a double door airlock system to prevent escape. Enrichment is also an essential component for raptors in captivity, so we provided a couple of nest boxes, logs, plants and a tree. He also has several perches to provide exposure to sunlight, shade, rain and a cool breeze. The substrate is smooth pea gravel, which is easy to keep clean and good for his feet and talons. Once Attila was moved into the new cage built by the Scouts, the smaller Screech Owl cage was outfitted for Otus, our new resident, with a nest box and perches closer to the floor. He is settling comfortably into his new home as well. He has an environment that is safe and well suited to his limitations. Attila Wildlife Rehab, Inc. would like to thank everyone that came out to help with the cage project: Jonathan Montgomery, Jarratt Edwards, Greg Montgomery, Ross Owens, Mark Wonsavage, Nick Adams, Jonathan Kim, Curtis Semones, Sam Semones, and Jimmy Owens. We would also like to thank Greg Montgomery for supplying all the materials for the cage project. Otus
BY WANDA ANGEL Sometimes in wildlife rehab, there are cases that defy expectations. At the end of May, I got in a bunny that was bloated, dehydrated and had been bitten by a cat. He was small, with eyes closed and weighed only 46 grams. I gave him Pedialyte for dehydration and treated the cat bite with a course of Baytril.! He began gaining weight, but a few days later he developed a large abscess at the site of the cat wound. Off to the veterinarian we went. Dr. E. examined him and treated the abscess. He also gave him antibiotics. I took him home and continued treating the wound, taking him to the vet twice a week. Unlike most bunnies, this one was calm, despite all the treatment. His wound seemed to be REHAB JOURNAL One Tough Bunny healing, and I thought I could release him soon. A few days later another abscess developed near the first one. Back to the vet. We were amazed he was still alive. The staff at the vet s office called him Tough Bunny. Dr. E kept assuring me the rabbit would survive.!shortly after the second abscess cleared up, a third one appeared. This one, on his back, was the size of golf ball. Again, we went through the same treatment. By this time he had scar tissue, knots all over and was partially bald. Finally the abscess cleared up, and fur began to grow back. He had survived dehydration, bloat, a cat bite and three abscesses. After two months of vet visits twice a week and treatment at home, he was released. Illustration by Rheta Whittington The Great Big Bird Caper BY KARI MARTIN The call came in that baby Bald Eagles were in a packhouse, where tobacco is stored and sorted. The man who owned the packhouse came into the vet s office where my sister, Rhonda, works and she called me. Because rehabber Jean Chamberlain wasn t available, we decided to check it out ourselves during Rhonda s lunch break. I put my faithful dog and copilot Punkin into my 2-door Blazer and stopped to pick up Mama, who often gets suckered into accompanying me on my wildlife runs. We were given the address of the packhouse owner s mother, who also came with us. We put Punkin and Mama in the back seat, and we were off! We drove down a country road, down a steep hill, over another hill and around a curve. Then we had to pick our way through poison ivy and weeds to reach the packhouse door. We climbed through the with our flashlights. In the corner were two of the biggest baby birds I have ever seen! But they weren t Eagles; they were turkey vultures. They made a whirring sound like a fan, which may have been a warning call. I had noticed the adult flying overhead as we neared the packhouse. After shining our flashlights on them long enough to take pictures, we left them alone and headed back. The owner s mother was disappointed. She said she thought they had something special. I told her they did have something special. Eagles or vultures, we were happy to have had the chance to see them.
Sponsor Us Our education animals and wildlife can t live on TLC alone. We need money to pay for housing, food and veterinary bills throughout the year. You can help by sponsoring an education animal or one of the many injured or orphaned animals we care for until they can be returned to the wild. For $25, you ll get a color photo of the animal you choose to sponsor, a fact sheet about the species and a year s membership in Wildlife Rehab Inc. The first 100 sponsors also will receive a T-shirt. Fill out the form below, or go to our website: http://www.wildliferehabinc.org/ Make checks payable to Wildlife Rehab Inc., and mail to: Wildlife Rehab, Inc. P.O. Box 24552 Winston-Salem, NC 27114 Name I would like to sponsor a rehab animal: Address Opossum Eastern BoxTurtle Gray squirrel Eastern cottontail Phone e-mail T-Shirt size XL L M S I would like to sponsor an education animal Otus Eastern Screech Owl Athena Great Horned Owl Pete Red-Tailed Hawk Tears Peregrine Falcon
We Need Your Help Eastern Cottontail Eastern Gray Squirrel Athena, Great Horned Owl Otus, Eastern Screech owl Pete, Red-Tailed Hawk Tears, Peregrine Falcon
What Would You Do? In early spring, after a storm, you find a baby squirrel on the ground. It has fur, and although the eyes are still closed, they appear about to open. You do not see the mother. You should: A. Take it home and try to feed it for a few days until the eyes open and then set free. B. Take it to a wildlife rehabilitator C. Leave the baby alone for approximately 45 minutes. If the mother doesn t return to take the baby, contact a wildlife rehabilitator D. Kill it because it has been rejected by the parents and will die anyway Answer on Page 5 Mark Your Calendars for Christmas Party Join us for our annual Christmas party at 6:30 Dec. 2 at the Golden Corral at Hanes Mall. The cost of the all-youcan eat dinner is $13, not including the tip. RSVP to: Carol Orr at corr@wfubmc.edu Happy Holidays! Who s Counting? We Are! Year-to-Date Calls!!!!!!!Taken In Mammals!!! 374!!!!!!! 240 Birds!!!!!!!!!! 382!!!!!!!!! 99 Raptors!!!!!! 41!!!!!!!!! 57 Reptiles!!!!!!! 36!!!!!!!!!! 7 Waterfowl!!! 86!!!!!!!! 28 Other!!!!!!!!!! 25!!!!!!!!! 0!!!!!!!! TOTAL!!!!!!!!!948!!!!!!!598 Find an Animal? Give us a call If you find an injured or orphaned animal, please call us at (336) 785-0912. In North Carolina, it s illegal to possess wildlife without a state permit. If you re interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, Wildlife Rehab Inc. offers courses twice a year at Forsyth Technical College. Please see our website for more details.
Ralph Ralph, the barred owl, who amused and amazed uncounted school children for the past eight-and-a-half years as part of WRI's education program, died on Oct. 19th.!After noticing Ralph wasn't eating and was behaving strangely, Gail Dawson took him to the vet. Blood tests revealed his liver and kidneys were failing. He died a short time later.!ralph came to WRI from the Carolina Raptor Center, after!his shoulder was injured when he was hit by a car.!the shoulder never healed correctly, leaving him unable to fly.!!whenever Ralph attended one of WRI's education programs, children watched in wide-eyed wonder as he swiveled his head 270 degrees to peer behind him.!they were also facinated by!his sharp talons that gripped the perch and by!his feathers that at one time had guaranteed him silent flight.!he taught many people about the environment and wildlife and we are proud to have had the chance to work with him. He will be missed. Donors Eddie Everhart Feathered Friends Kerner Ridge Assisted Living Ron Morris Dr. and Mrs. John Nicholaides Raymond and Carol Pearson Jerry and Diane Peoples Pine Hall Elementary School Kimberly Poland Southwest Elementary School Clemmons Nancy Truluck Wild Birds Unlimited Dr. Paul and Diane Williams Sponsors Edward Eades Special CorporateMatching Donors Reynolds American Foundation RJ Reynolds Foundation What Would You Do... (C) If the baby does not appear to be injured, try to reunite it with the mother. Squirrels, despite their small size, spend a very long time in the care of the mother. If foster care is required, it will ultimately have to include providing a safe place for the squirrel to become wild. So, it is best to try to reunite babies with their mothers. Look for the nest; it will be in a tall tree and resembles a bundle of leaves. Place the baby at the base of the tree. Remove all pets and people from the area and watch from a distance. If the mother does not reclaim the baby, call a wildlife rehablitator for advice. If the baby appears unconscious or injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away.