Rescue Report Spring 2011

Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
RESCUE REPORT
A Second Chance
The story of a fox, a man, and a successful rehabilitation
By Jeffrey T. Hagan
Several years ago, before we moved to our current house, my
dog and I walked regularly on the Reston trails. I had seen
foxes around the trail especially on evening walks. One day, I
saw signs posted about a fox with mange in the neighborhood,
alerting people to the fact that while odd looking, the fox was
harmless and was being treated for mange. I later ran into the
lady (a fellow dog owner) who told me she was the one who
put up the signs, and she was actually on her way to treat the
fox. So I walked with her. She explained to me how she just
dosed some food with a drug to treat the mange. This is when I
learned that there was a way to treat foxes suffering from
mange.
“The true meaning of life is to plant
trees, under whose shade you do not
expect to sit.”
∼ Nelson Henderson
In this Issue:
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
Foxes, Foxes, Foxes!
1
WRL is Going Places
4
WRL Out and About
6
Thank You 2010 Donors
8
In Remembrance
9
Hello World!
10
From the Board
12
WRL Leadership Directory 13
Announcements
14
June 6 Membership Meeting is
Cancelled
Then one day in June last year, I noticed what I believed to be a
coyote in my neighborhood. I remember the first couple of
times I ran into him, his most striking feature was that he was
much browner than the foxes I had seen and he had very long
legs. He also had a thin tail with a tuft of fur at the end. I also
remember how the tail seemed to be very long, as long or
longer than the rest of his body. One winter day, I came upon
him in a clearing, sunning himself. I was able to examine him
for several minutes, I noticed his skull structure was different
from that of the foxes I had seen. He seemed to have more
rounded features as compared to the foxes with their sharp and
pointed features, especially his forehead and ears. He was
always more skittish than the foxes I had encountered too.
Other than that day when he was sunning himself, he usually
did not allow me to get very close before running off. The
foxes normally just run a short distance into the woods then
observe from several feet away as I pass by with my dog. It
was always exciting for me to get a chance to see the coyote.
Continued on page 2...
1
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
A Second Chance, continued...
One evening when coming home just after dark, I
noticed an animal in my yard. He had a skinny tail, so
I thought it was a coyote. When the animal came
back at dawn several days later, I shot some video
tape and showed several people, as I could not
determine if it was a coyote or a fox with mange. I
eventually determined that he was indeed a fox with
mange. My neighbor Pam Fulmer, a WRL member
and volunteer, put me in touch with two other WRL
volunteers, rehabilitator Erika Yery and Charlene
DeVol. Erika advised that if I thought the fox would
come back, they could supply me with some medicine
to treat him. I told Erika that the fox seemed to make
regular stops to my house, checking for leftover bird
seed. I picked up the medicine from Charlene along
with written instructions. Under Erika’s direction,
with instructions in hand, I started the treatment that
night using a piece of leftover chicken. I placed the
treated chicken in my backyard, waiting anxiously for
the fox to appear. I have motion sensing floodlights in
my backyard, so as soon as they activated, I looked
out to see the fox eating the chicken. Because I was
told the fox may need two or three doses of the
medicine, I started periodically putting leftover dog
food in my backyard. Like clockwork, the fox came
back whenever there was food left outside.
Occasionally, raccoons would sometimes show up,
but they seemed to share without much concern. I
treated the fox two weeks after the first dose and
BEFORE Treatment:!
!
!
!
continued to try to get a good look to see signs of
improvement. It was about four weeks after the initial
treatment that I saw the fur coming back on his tail.
Eventually, the fur came back on the rest of his body.
I’d estimate that within two months, he made a
complete recovery, which was so dramatic, that I
could almost convince myself that it was a different
fox. I have several different foxes that stop by my
backyard, and they all look and act a little differently.
He has allowed me to videotape him from my back
door, I’m sure he knows that I’m there. There are also
subtle differences in the markings and coloring among
the foxes, leading me to believe that this is indeed the
fox that used to have mange. Although I have
discontinued the feedings and treatment, I still see my
fox occasionally. I am still amazed at how well the
medicine worked on him and and in a relatively short
time.
Thank you Jeff!
Note: Sarcoptic mange is a devastating, contagious skin
disease. It’s curable if caught soon enough. If you see a fox
possibly afflicted, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for
advice. Do not attempt to treat wildlife without talking to
an expert, this can be harmful for you as well as the animal.
AFTER Treatment:
2
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
From the Hotline: A Fox
in the Road
By Jerry Blondell, Ph.D., WRL
Hotline Volunteer
Photos courtesy of Jerry Blondell
This is the story of a baby fox
found in the middle of a street by a
father and son passing by in their
car and taken to Crosspointe
Animal Hospital, Fairfax Station,
on Tuesday afternoon, March 8. As
soon as they arrived they said they
weren't sure whether they had a
kitten, puppy, fox, or what, but if it
was the one of the first two, they
wanted to keep it!
At first, the vets themselves were
not sure what kind of canine they
had and that’s when they called the
Wildlife Rescue League hotline. I
took the call that afternoon and,
after consultation, confirmed it was
a Red Fox, based on the diagnostic
white tip on the end of the tail. I
arranged to pick up the young vixen
(female fox, males are referred to
as dogs) myself and took her to
licensed rehabilitator and fox
expert, Erika Yery. When I delivered the fox to Erika,
she weighed just 6 ounces
(newborns typically weigh just over
3 ounces). Foxes in this area are
typically born in March and this
was the first reported. Erika
estimated the age at about 2-4 days! No one knew how this baby had
come to be outside its den with
eyes and ears closed and unable to
thermoregulate. Fox cub litters
(typically of 4-5 cubs) are normally
sequestered in the den for the first 4
weeks. There is no reason for the
parents to move the cubs unless
there has been a serious disturbance
or some calamity. The temperature
that morning had been below
freezing, but fortunately, for this
tiny youngster, got up to 50 degrees
by noon, about the time she was
found. Undoubtedly the youngster
had been found only minutes, or at
most an hour or two, after some
serious mishap, otherwise exposure
or a passing car would have killed
her.
Born blind, deaf, toothless, and
unable to thermoregulate, this tiny
vixen is very lucky to have been
warmed up and given a quick meal
of formula at the animal hospital
before being whisked off to Erika. Spring 2011
resplendent reddish chestnut coat of
fur she will have by summer.
At three weeks of age, the vixen
was joined by a litter about the
same age found abandoned. Great
news for the single vixen who will
thrive much better with others her
age to snuggle and cavort with -nothing better than having
playmates your own age, just as
you’re learning to walk!
At this age, their eyes with their
elliptical pupils will turn to a
yellow color for enhanced vision at
dawn and dusk, when most hunting
is done, and at night.
And with continued luck and
excellent care from Erika and
Velvet Johnson, Apprentice
Rehabilitator, hopefully most will
make it to be released back into the
wild.
Here Rachel, the Practice Manager
at the Crosspointe Animal Hospital
kindly wraps up the little cub for
placing in the transport carrier. As Erika Yery wrote in her guide to
foxes:
“Urban foxes are model citizens.
Their good record comes from
notable fox traits, foremost of
which is timidity. I receive calls
from homeowners worried about
foxes attacking their children and
cats. A fox weighing 12 pounds is
unlikely to attack a cat. Should a
child approach a fox, the fox would
flee as fast as it could...
If you have the good fortune to
have foxes living on your property
One half hour later, Erika checked or nearby, it is a great privilege. I
cannot think of anything more
the health of her first cub of the
season. She estimated it to be only rewarding than watching fox cubs
venturing out for the first few
2-4 days old. An estimate later
times. Watching them chasing
confirmed when her eyes opened
grasshoppers and bugs or engaging
just 9 days later (eyes open at 11
days +/- 2). The charcoal gray coat in mock battles is a delight.
does not give any hint of the
3
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
A Fox in the Road, continued...
Watching the parents (usually well hidden in the
underbrush or behind tall grass) watching their cubs
is even more fun. Foxes cause no damage or
mischief, and will keep rats and mice away while in
residence. Enjoy the experience!”
Spring 2011
the forest... takes on the ways and manners of
adults... claims a territory and inhabits it with
another fox, its prospective mate. During the frozen
darkness of winter, the pair sets up their territory
and courts, and the cycle inherent in a fox’s life
completes itself."
That is what we wish for Erika’s charges.
Let me close with a quote from J. David Henry’s
"Red Fox: The Catlike Canine" (Smithsonian Press
1986).
"The bright red coats normally associated with adult
foxes show up in summer and shortly thereafter
these tiny, helpless creatures grow into selfsufficient, graceful flame-colored predators that
leave their families and seek out their own part of
For more information on foxes as well as the
full guide, see “Foxes --Red and Gray”
by Erika Yery, Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
at http://www.wildliferescueleague/resources
THE WILDLIFE RESCUE LEAGUE IS GOING
PLACES... AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Wildlife Rescue League is spreading the word about wildlife by
planning several outreach and fundraising events this year. Stop by
and see us at the Celebrate Fairfax! Festival from June
10-12 at the Fairfax County Government Center, and at the
Taking Action for Animals conference sponsored by The
Humane Society of the United States from July 16-17 at the
Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Want to become more involved? Take your passion for wildlife a
step further and volunteer to help our outreach efforts at the
Festival and at TAFA by distributing literature to educate the public,
or help us plan and organize our fundraising events.
Please contact Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Beth Axelrod
at 703.901.8853 or Pam Fulmer at 703.464.0590 to volunteer.
The Wildlife Rescue League Appreciates...and Needs
your Support!
4
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Rescue Report
Wildlife Rescue League
P.O. Box 704
Falls Church, Virginia 22040
703.391.8625
[email protected]
www.wildliferescueleauge.org
Spring 2011
Have a great story to tell and pictures to share?
Need a creative outlet?
Send articles, digital pictures, announcements,
etc. to: [email protected] or call
Maryann, 703.283.8032,
newsletter assistance welcomed!
WILDLIFE HOTLINE: 703.440.0800
Newsletter Coordinator/Editor
Maryann Stanners
Writers/Reporters
Beth Axelrod
Jerry Blondell, Ph.D.
Pam Fulmer
Jeffrey T. Hagan
Grace Holden
Maryann Stanners
Contributors
Patti Hoffman
Dave Janiga
Olivia LoBalbo
Madeline Libre
Membership & Data Manager
Doug Brown
Thank you to Erika Yery for use of her published work.
Purchase of photos and art, except where credited were
donated by a WRL volunteer.
HSUS article reprinted with permission:
Copyright The Humane Society of the United States
The Rescue Report is available by e-mail -- in
color! If you would prefer an electronic copy,
please let us know: [email protected]
HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
The WRL Hotline needs volunteers to help
man the hotline during the busy summer
season, please contact Olivia LoBalbo,
[email protected] or Patti Hoffman,
[email protected], for more information.
Please consider giving a few hours a month on
the hotline. Thank you!
“The breeze, the trees, the honey bees - All
volunteers!”
∼ Juliet Carinreap
Articles published in the Rescue Report are for the
information of WRL members and do not necessarily
reflect the views of WRL. All materials printed in
Rescue Report are the intellectual property of WRL
and may not be used without permission. Direct
permission requests to WRL Rescue Report, Attn:
Editor, P.O. Box 704, Falls Church, VA 22040.
5
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
Wildlife Rescue League: Out and About in
Our Community
Wildlife Rescue League at the 2011
Turtle Trot!
Rehabilitator Liaison Grace Holden represented WRL at the
2011 5K Turtle Trot at Bluemont Park in Arlington on Saturday,
May 21. Festivities included a “real” turtle race, educational
booths, games and fun for the whole family. Proceeds from the
race went towards the care of injured turtles and other wildlife
and for educational programs at Long Branch Nature Center.
The walk was sponsored by Arlington County Dept. of Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Resources and FITArlington.
Grace was on hand throughout the event to pass out WRL
informational brochures and wildlife coloring books for the kids.
Thank you Grace!
Also, at EARTH DAY 2011
Thank you to WRL Volunteer Coordinator, Olivia
LoBalbo, who was on hand at the Terraset Elementary
School Earth Day Carnival and Auction in Reston, Virginia
on Sunday, April 10. Olivia talked to the kids about our
native wildlife and what WRL does. She went over the
pamphlets about “what to do if you find a baby bird” and
then the kids colored some pictures. It was a fun event
for everyone!
Activities included outdoor rides, The Big Cleanup,
Recycle Soda Rodeo and an Earth Day Obstacle Course to
name a few.
continued on page 7...
According to Olivia “The kids that really liked animals
seemed to really enjoy the booth. It was hard to keep
most of the children's attention though when there was
face painting and a rock climbing wall behind me :-)”
Kudos to Olivia for her community outreach despite some
tough competition!
6
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
Wildlife Rescue League:
Out and About in
And...at
the Humane Society
Our Community
continued from page 6...
of Fairfax County’s
Annual Woof Walk!
WRL volunteers Beth Axelrod, Dasha
Hajkova and Pete Leary shared important wildlife
information with the public at the Humane Society’s
annual Woof Walk at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax, on
Sunday, May 22. This family friendly event included
a three-mile walk, silent auction, dog contest, food
and vendor booths and appearances by Congressman
Gerry Connolly, the Fairfax County Urban Search and
Rescue Team and an expert dog trainer! The highlight
of the event was a parade of adoptable canines!
All proceeds benefited the Humane Society of
Fairfax County, a non-profit organization that
rescues and protects both domestic and wild
animals.
Thank you to Beth, Dasha and Pete
for spending their Sunday on
community outreach and
education!
Be Rescue Ready
REMIND YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS that this is the time of year that wild families are on the move
and young inexperienced animals try to cross our busy streets. On Saturday, May 14, the WRL hotline reported
two sets of Canada Geese parents and four goslings were killed crossing local roads, five goslings were orphaned.
Keep a rescue kit in your home and car so you can help orphaned or injured wildlife. The kit should include items
such as a carrier, towels, blankets, heating pad, chemical hand warmers, gloves (both heavy duty and latex), a
laundry basket, and small wicker baskets (“Oh, Baby!” tips, HSUS)
For your fridge, glovebox and on your cell phone contact list, keep phone numbers and contact information for
wildlife rehabilitators, local animal control departments, and veterinary hospitals who accept wildlife for
rehabilitators.
Be Alert, Be Aware and Be Safe!
7
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
THANK YOU TO OUR 2010 DONORS
The Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who made a donation
to WRL in 2010. We are grateful for each and every gift, no matter its size.
Each gift is put to good use in our efforts to rescue and rehab every injured
or orphaned animal that the public calls us about. Due to space
limitations, we have listed below only members who are enrolled in WRLs
Donor Membership category.
Cheryl Anderson
Dorianne Andros
Cynthia Aronoff
Lesley Arnold
Beth Axelrod
Mary Becelia
Ed and Carole Bentz
Robert and Ruth Benker
Heidi Bibber
Jerry Blondell
Nancy Bonomo
Jackie Borgel
Thomas Brosius
Patricia Brown
Faye Dale Browning
Ruth Buynoski
Audrey Buyrn
Patricia Cake
Marilyn Chalmers
Jeannette Cibinic
Jane Copeland
Jennifer Dickey
John Dickinson
Anthony Dresden
Carolyn Ducca
Karin Fangman
Eileen Fitzpatrick
Freddie Mac Foundation Matching Gift
Friends of Huntley Meadow
Park
Pam Fulmer
Jane Gailey
Jere Gibber
Lauren Gordon
Zeki Gunay
Heather Hembrey
Barbara Henderson
Jennifer and Michael Henry
Humane Society of Fairfax
County
IBM Employee Giving anonymous
Arezu Ingle
Pause for Applause!
Janet Irwin
Patti and Charles Jacobina
Linda Jasper
Suresh Kalkavery
Mary Lanese
Julia Leighton
Gary Lucas
Brenda Luwis
Gina Lynch
Lauren Melichar
Nina Natelson
Jack Nobles
Steve Nunes
Susan Osborn
Ruth Lynn Pollock
Gloria Powers
Barbara and David Prescott
Camille Reilly
Laurie Ross
Mona Rowland
Leslie Smith
Richard and Kathryne Thorpe
Sandra Vincze
Bruce and Joy Wells
Jane Whitcomb
Carolyn Williams
Linda Winograd
Dallas and Elizabeth Wolfe
Eleanora Worth
Gene Zupsic
On Sunday, March 27,
the Fairfax County Police
Department’s Animal
Services Division recognized
those who truly make a
difference in helping wildlife.
This annual event celebrated
the compassionate wildlife
rehabilitators, caretakers and
veterinarians who dedicate
their time and resources to
helping native wildlife. The
ceremony, which included
brunch, was hosted by Fairfax
County Wildlife Biologist,
Victoria Monroe, and held at
the county government
center.
Thank you to ALL our
members, donors and
supporters. You are
vital to fulfilling
WRL’s mission.
The brunch was a
wonderful opportunity for
rehabbers and other wildlife
rescue workers to network,
touch base and have a
delicious meal.
Fairfax County
Celebrates Wildlife
Rehabilitators and
Caregivers
Thank you to the
Fairfax County Animal
Services Division and Ms.
Monroe for this enjoyable
event!
8
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
Wildlife Rehabilitation Classes
The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, Lynchburg, VA
• Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation
• Introduction to Raptor Rehabilitation
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tonsler Park, Charlottesville, VA
• Wildlife Capture, Restraint, Handling and Transportation
To register, please call 540.942.9453 or e-mail your name, address, and classes of interest to
[email protected]. Once received, the outreach coordinator will email a confirmation letter with
directions as well as payment instructions.
All classes and workshops offered by theWildlife Center help to meet the educational requirements of the
VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for obtaining wildlife rehabilitation permits.
Save the Date: The Wildlife Center’s 16th Annual Call of the Wild conference is
November 12-13, 2011
IN MEMORY: KEVIN L. PELL
A SAD GOODBYE TO A WRL
VOLUNTEER AND WILDLIFE
ADVOCATE
On March 26, 2011, the Wildlife Rescue League
lost a dedicated, passionate volunteer and wildlife lost
a loyal and caring friend when Kevin L. Pell passed
away due to complications from diabetes. He was 43
years old. Kevin was born in Arlington, Virginia and
lived in Fairfax, where he had many friends. Wildlife
wasn’t Kevin’s only passion, during his school years,
Kevin enjoyed playing soccer, baseball and racing
BMX bikes. He especially loved working on cars and
auto racing and eventually founded his own business,
Pell’s Towing.
Kevin was an exceptionally dependable and valued
WRL transporter and a hotline volunteer. His WRL
colleague and friend Dave Janiga remembers Kevin as
a protector and advocate for all wildlife. “Kevin was a
really nice guy and great to work with. He was caring,
and thoroughly enjoyed spending time outdoors. He
loved Madeline Libre’s peaceful yard!” Madeline, a
WRL rehabilitator recalls many enjoyable visits with
Kevin, “he was a very intelligent man and he was a lot
of fun. I miss our laughs, talks about animals and
baseball and fun times together. Kevin always had a
great story”
The Wildlife Rescue League was fortunate to have
Kevin as a volunteer and we mourn his untimely
death. Kevin’s family suggests expressions of
sympathy be contributions in Kevin’s memory to the
National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital
Area, Inc., 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 300,
Washington, D.C. 20015 or the American Diabetes
Association, 1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite
1005, Washington, D.C. 20036.
9
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
HELLO WORLD!
Baby Season in Full Swing
A few important reminders from The Wildlife
Rescue League and the Humane Society of the
United States.
Spring 2011
Is not fully furred or feathered
Species-Specific Tips
From HSUS All Animals, “Copyright The Humane
Society of the United States”
Laura Simon, HSUS Urban Wildlife Field Director,
says the most important clue of whether a baby
animal needs help is knowing the species of the
animal in question. While mother rabbits and deer
often leave babies alone to avoid attracting
predators to the nest, “mother raccoons don’t let
their young cubs out of their sight for long,” says
Simon. Because of these different approaches to
raising young, improper species identification can
lead to unintentional orphaning. In almost all cases
-- unless an animal is injured and in immediate need
-- the process for determining whether he’s
orphaned starts with giving both parents a chance to
reclaim the youngster. After that, steps vary by
species.
Orphan or Latchkey Kid?: Baby Rabbits
Before mowing in the spring and summer, check
grassy mounds or disturbed areas, which are signs of
a rabbit nest. Be careful not to mow over the nest
and keep dogs and cats away from baby rabbits.
Call the Wildlife Rescue League hotline for guidance
if you see these signs that an animal needs help...
There are signs of flies, worms or maggots,
which look like grains of rice
Was caught by a cat or dog, even if he
seems healthy
Has an open wound with bleeding or
swelling
Is a baby and the parents are known dead or
separated and cannot be reunited
Suffered a severe trauma such as being hit
by a car or falling from a high nest
Is very cold, thin or weak
Is on the ground unable to move
Mother rabbits nurse their young for about five
minutes just two or three times a day. You can place
a string in the shape of a tic-tac-toe grid or star over
the nest and recheck your handiwork in 12 hours. If
the string has been disturbed, yet the nest is still
covered with nesting material, all is well.
Learning to Fly: Baby Birds
Fledglings, or fully-feathered young birds with short
tail feathers, are often perceived as orphans when in
reality, they’re just learning to use their wings -literally, from the ground up. Because songbird
babies are fed by both parents, they’re less likely to
be orphaned; both parents would have to die.
Unless a baby appears injured, chirps nonstop, or is
in imminent danger -- or hasn’t been visited by one
of his parents in more than 60 minutes -- leave him
alone.
continued on page 11...
10
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
Hello World! continued from page 10...
completely naked. They spend about two months
suckling in their mother’s warm pouch. When they
On the other hand, a featherless or partially featherless grow to about 3 to 4 niches long, they ride around on
bird on the ground may need help; she may have fallen
her back. An opossum less than 7 inches long (minus
from the nest or been pushed out by siblings. If you
the tail) is too young to be on her own; she may have
can locate the nest or cavity (look in bushes, trees,
simply fallen off without mom noticing. Call a
gutters, vents -- anywhere within 20 feet of where the
rehabilitator. If a mother opossum is injured or killed
baby was found), simply put the baby back. If the
by a car, her babies may survive the crash only to die
original nest has been destroyed or is too high to
when her milk stops flowing. Put on gloves and check
access, hang a small woven basket nearby, making sure
the pouch, then call a wildlife rehabilitator.
the basket isn’t too deep and allows rain to pass
through. Simon uses small wicker baskets from floral
Up a Tree: Baby Squirrels
shops and dollar stores. “They even look like nests, and
If a baby squirrel has fallen out of his nest but isn’t
if you find they are too deep, then you can put some
injured, give the mother until sundown to retrieve him;
sticks in there.” From a distance, watch the nest
simply leave the area and keep pets indoors. If it’s chilly
diligently for an hour or so to make sure the parent
out or if the baby isn’t fully furred, place him in an open
returns.
shoebox at the base of the tree, with a chemical hand
warmer under the baby or a heating pad under the
At Mother’s Side: Baby Raccoons
box, set on low and powered by an extension cord.
Mother raccoons closely supervise their young, rarely
letting them out of their sight. Babies seen alone and
The Cutest Parade Ever: Baby Skunks
out of their nest for more than a few hours may be
orphaned, especially if they’ve been crying or chattering Skunks have poor eyesight, so babies typically follow
consistently. Place an upside down laundry basket over their mother in a nose-to-tail line formation. If
something spooks mom, like a car or curious dog, they
the babies, or put them in a carrier with the door
unlatched but held closed by a stick propped up at a 45 may get separated. Moving slowly to avoid being
sprayed, place a lightweight laundry basket over the
degree angle, which nimble mothers should be able to
knock over. Monitor overnight; if the mother does not babies and monitor from a distance. The mother will
look for her babies by vocalizing. “She will just wander
return, call a wildlife rehabilitator.
around and around,” says Simon. “And the babies will
Mom Knows Best: Fawns
grunt and the mother will grunt, and she will just keep
circling until she finds them.” When she does, mother
To avoid attracting predators, mother deer hide their
will flip the laundry basket with her nose and collect
newborns, often in tall grasses or brush, feeding and
her babies.
grooming them only a few times a day. While fawns are
able to walk shortly after birth, they spend most of
For waterfowl, raptors and all other species and for
their first several days lying still. During this period
advice and referrals to wildlife rehabilitators call the
Mom will keep her distance to reduce the chance of
hotline: 703.440.0800.
attracting predators to her baby. Fawns should be left
Note: Thank You to HSUS for permission to reprint tips
alone unless you know the mother is dead or see the
from “Oh, Baby!” All Animals is a bimonthly magazine
fawn laying on her side or wandering around crying
available to HSUS members. For more information go to:
(crying for more than a few moments is a sign of
www.humanesociety.org.
trouble). Poor condition and flies also indicate that
help is needed.
Little-Bitty as a Bee: Baby Opossums
North America’s only marsupial, baby opossums are
born as embyros, barely larger than a bee and
11
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
From the Board
We are very sorry to announce that the previously scheduled June 4 membership meeting is cancelled.
We will be preparing a schedule of classes and announcing those dates in future correspondence.
The WRL Board of Directors reluctantly accepted resignations this year from three dedicated and much
appreciated members: Member-at-Large, Lauren Melichar, Secretary Joanne Whalon and Treasurer, Kelly
Eigler. The Wildlife Rescue League is very appreciative of the hard work, passion and dedication each of
these members brought to our organization.
Thank you Lauren, Joanne and Kelly!
We also welcomed three new board members:
Patti Hoffman, Member-at-Large
Patti is also WRL’s Hotline Coordinator. Her “other job” is working at The Humane Society of the
United State’s management office in Maryland. Patti has dedicated her career and her free time to
promoting animal welfare and working on the front lines of animal protection and advocacy. Patti will tell us
more about herself after baby season!
Don Fowler, Treasurer
Don and his wife Diane Hopkins are long time members of the Wildlife Rescue League and are very
active in local animal welfare issues. Don is a past Treasurer of the Massachusetts Watchmakers Association,
a trade guild in greater Boston of professional and amateur watchmakers and clockmakers. In addition to
serving on the WRL board, Don is an active volunteer with the Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART).
He and Diane recently fostered and re-homed three adorable kittens for the group. He has also just been
elected to the Board of the Analemma Society, to begin serving as Corresponding Secretary for this group
dedicated to astronomical observation and education. Don is a serious photographer, making and exhibiting
his images as a member of Great Falls Studio (GFS). He recently completed a temporary assignment for
GFS as “Commissioner of the Great Falls Bird Election.” (The bluebird won...) Don was just elected WRL
Treasurer in May and has hit the ground running!
Maryann Stanners, Acting Secretary
Maryann will be acting secretary thru 2011 and is pleased and honored to be helping WRL. She
volunteered with WRL many years ago on the hotline and as a transporter. She has served as board
secretary previously for a local cat rescue group. Maryann and her husband live in Herndon with their two
indoor cats, Megan and Beauregard. “I’m very grateful to former secretaries, Joanne Whalon and Grace
Holden for sharing their knowledge and expertise.”
The WRL board is now fully staffed and ready to accept the challenges ahead!
Candidates interested in the Secretary position can let us know by contacting the Acting Secretary,
Maryann Stanners, 703.283.8032 or sending an e-mail to: [email protected]
Have a safe and enjoyable summer -- we look forward to
seeing you in September!
12
Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
WRL Leadership Directory
2011 Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Kimberley Sisco
VICE PRESIDENT: Chris Sakach
TREASURER: Don Fowler
SECRETARY (ACTING): Maryann Stanners
MEMBERS AT LARGE: Beth Axelrod and Patti Hoffman
2011 Committees
FUNDRAISING: Beth Axelrod and Pam Fulmer
PUBLIC EDUCATION: Available
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Kimberley Sisco
REHABILITATOR EDUCATION: Available
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Olivia LoBalbo
HOTLINE COORDINATOR: Patti Hoffman
HOTLINE TRAINING: Available
HOTLINE SCHEDULER: Wendy Bader
HOTLINE ONLINE REHABILITATOR LIST: Ali Drew
HOTLINE TRANSPORT COORDINATORS: Jen Dickey and Gary Reals
MEMBERSHIP and DATA MANAGER: Doug Brown
STATISTICS MANAGER: Jerry Blondell, Ph.D.
REHABILITATOR LIAISON: Grace Holden
SUPPLIES BUYER: Charlene DeVol
MEALWORMS BUYER: Yvonne Young
SUPPLY DEPOTS: Amo Merritt, Nora Missell, Erika Yery
DONATIONS CHAIR: Tanya Guerrero
INFORMATION MAILOUTS: Cathy Epatko
WEBMASTER: Harry Williams
CONSTANT CONTACT DATABASE MANAGER: Steve Nunes
CONSTANT CONTACT MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS: James Pettinelli
WEBSITE DESIGNER: Michael Ridley
To contact WRL Board and Committee Members or apply for the available positions, please email
[email protected] or call the administration line 703.391.8625
www.wildliferescueleague.org
WRL HOTLINE: 703.440.0800
13
A Newsletter for the Wildlife Rescue League
Spring 2011
Announcement: The June 4th Membership
Meeting is CANCELLED
In the Next Issue:
The Wildlife Rescue League
Post Office Box 704
Falls Church,Virginia 22040
Address Service Requested
❖
An Update on Board Initiatives
❖
Upcoming Events
❖
A New Membership Meeting Calendar
❖
A Lucky Opossum
❖
Raccoons!
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
MERRIFIELD, VA
PERMIT #2461