Ruby Fox - Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary

Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary
Fall-Winter 2013
The Sanctuary is manned by volunteers—no employees. Your donations are used to care
for the many animals that need a helping hand, or a permanent home at the sanctuary.
Together we can make a difference!
Ruby Fox
There is no doubt about it. The baby
female red fox stole the show. A kind
and astute person saw the little animal
alone in a strawberry field. After
keeping a close eye on her for several
days, it was clear that the mother fox
was not coming back. So Ruby, as
volunteers named her, came to DWS
when she was no bigger than a small
kitten. As with most young and
injured animals, Ruby lived in the
Animal Clinic at first.
She obviously had not eaten for a
while, so she was fed a special
powdered formula along with Pedialyte. After gaining weight, strength and size, she was thrilled to be moved
outside into the wood and wire mesh enclosure where she could really stretch and skitter around. Unfortunately,
during her antics she injured herself and was limping instead of playing. She was treated at South Arundel
Veterinary Hospital. X-rays showed Ruby had a fractured shoulder. It was also found that she had something
like brittle bone disease. Her follow-up treatment was to keep her in a smaller enclosure and be fed a special
nutrient rich diet as well as prescribed supplements.
Keeping this rambunctious youngster quiet paid off. When her limp disappeared, she was transferred again
to a larger run where she could exercise. Apparently her new digs, including room, board and lots of attention
were not good enough anymore. One day she squeezed out of her gate and took off. Volunteers chased after
her to no avail. Later that evening, when everyone had left and it was quiet, I went up back. There she was,
waiting for me. We played and wrestled for a while, then I left, leaving her cage door open with snacks inside.
She’s still here. She’s settled in quite well and has fox friends.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Thank You, South Arundel Veterinary Hospital!
DWS extends a huge thank-you to Dr. Francine Rattner and South Arundel
Veterinary Hospital (SAVH). We regularly receive animals with injuries that
are beyond our field of expertise. Dr. Rattner and her staff have helped us with
some interesting cases. There was “Ruby” the baby red fox what was born
with fragile bones. SAVH did extensive x-rays on Ruby and recommended we
keep her housed in a smaller cage to prevent her from running and jumping
too much. She was also put on a very specialized diet. With the help of SAVH
and a lot of special attention, Ruby grew strong and smart. She released
herself but has stayed nearby and we see her occasionally. She has made her
home somewhere on or near DWS and interacts with a few other foxes that
also live nearby.
SAVH helped us with a young Great Horned Owl that was hit by a car and
a cormorant that had completely swallowed a fishing hook and sinker. For
these acts of kindness, all fees were forgiven. To help pay for staff and
medical procedures, funds were used from PETS Fund (Pet Emergency
Treatment Support). This fund, according to the SAVH website, “was
established twenty years ago to help homeless and less fortunate animals in
our community.” If you go to South Arundel Veterinary Hospital, please make
a donation to PETS Fund.
Rainy Morning Rescue
It was a dark, rainy, gloomy morning in the late spring. A DC police officer had
just made a traffic stop. Out of the corner of his eye, he happened to notice some
debris in the water heading for the storm drain. As he looked closer, he noticed
the debris was moving. Apparently, a bird’s nest had been washed out of its tree
and was floating toward the storm drain with a baby bird in it. Reacting quickly,
the officer dismissed his minor traffic stop, telling it driver it was their lucky
day, and sprinted over to scoop up the baby bird before it was washed away. After making a few calls, he
eventually headed to DWS with his rescue. We all got a kick out of his story. This rescue turned out to be a
baby blue jay, which was raised along with several other orphaned birds. These cage mates were all eventually
released and we hope are somewhere in the trees at DWS watching over all the activity. We want to thank
Officer Joe for being such a caring person. The world needs a few more like him. Thanks, Joe!
In Memory of Paco, the Burro
Paco was an old guy when he arrived at the sanctuary around 1996. In his former
life he had been tied to a truck bumper most of the time. A unique feature of
Paco was that he had a job! Until his “retirement” last year, he played a role in
live Easter and Christmas events at a local church.
His once plush silvery coat and long fuzzy ears gave him that senior look.
But his exceptionally sweet nature remained his striking feature right up to the
end. His very nature endeared him to everyone who was lucky enough to meet
him. Treats to eat and a brush stroking his handsome back were his favorite past
times.
DWS NEWSLETTER FALL-WINTER 2013
Our Pond
On May 30, almost 100 people braved the first hot day of 2013 to help celebrate the restoration of the sanctuary’s
pond. The dedication culminated in a multi-year permitting process and a months’ long construction undertaking.
From draining the pond, to changing the entire pond landscape, to planting hundreds of native trees, scrubs and
plants, the transformation is beautiful to see but most important is its function. Water is now filtered through a
multi-tier of small ponds before it flows to Beards Creek.
DWS is grateful to the South River Foundation which spearheaded and
helped fund the project, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Trust, that was one of
the major funders. Numerous other companies and organizations supplied
plants, labor and refreshments for the big day.
Joe Scalone was master of ceremonies and gave some history of the
sanctuary. State Senator Ed Reilly presented our director, Sandy Carr with a
Senatorial Resolution and County Executive Laura Neuman congratulated
Sandy on her decades of work on the behalf of animals.
The event brought together longtime friends of the sanctuary and conservationists. It was a win-win for the
animals and the environment. South River Federation officials gave tours of the pond, explaining the functionality
and positive repercussions of all the changes. Afterwards, DWS volunteers provided excursions through the other
parts of the sanctuary. For those who walked towards the clinic and the upper reaches of the sanctuary, Starsky
(a peach crested cockatoo) loudly greeted everyone with his piercing but seemingly always happy shriek. Other
folks took advantage of car rides up the gravel drive past the small animal clinic to the fields where DWS
volunteers shared stories of the donkeys and horses. Along the wooded path they met the chickens, fox, potbellied
pigs and other residents of the sanctuary.
When viewing the new pond configuration, people ask, “Where have all the animals gone?” The llamas,
alpacas, emus, goats, pigs and sheep are living in the forested upper reaches of DWS. The ducks and geese, the
true water oriented animals, still have access to the pond. In fact, some were sitting on nests while visitors were
learning about the restoration. Some of the birds are disabled but often one can see the wild birds come to the
pond to help eat the food.
There are creatures most of us do not see. The changes provide a wonderful habitat for turtles and other small
creatures. The rock hard mud banks are now softer with berms and huge logs which create a natural habitat. In
fact, in early September a gentleman came to DWS with a large slider that he acquired. That slider is now
enjoying a safe and natural home in the DWS pond.
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Erica, the Groundhog
A kind, observant person brought a tiny gray ball of fur to
us in the spring of 2013. This incredibly personable
creature was a baby groundhog that had been orphaned or
abandoned. In so many cases, we do now know the exact
reason tiny, vulnerable critters are found in such dire
straits. Erica, named by our dedicated volunteers, at first
could fit in the palm of two cupped hands. She spent her
first two months at DWS in the Animal Clinic where she
could be kept under observation for any problems that
might develop. Her diet was fortified Esbilac and solid
food. She had a hankering for kale and bananas
especially. When she matured, she was moved to a large
enclosure adjacent to the clinic. In her new “home,” she
had a box with leaves, shavings and branches to perch on,
and a two by four that ran across the enclosure. When it was hot, Erica would lounge on the two by four and
splay her legs downward. In colder weather she piled bedding around and in her house and curled up inside.
One morning the volunteers found Erica’s cage opened. Erica was gone! The next day she appeared and
approached one of the caregivers who had essentially been her family. How can one be assured that an
approaching groundhog is Erica? Easy! Erica had a bald spot from being repeatedly petted. The volunteers
knew Erica now had a hankering for freedom. She was fine going back into her enclosure for a few days but
her final release was inevitable. She made a new home under the clinic. Then she moved up back to the woods.
Even though she is now in the “wild,” she periodically appears near her old enclosure looking for a treat.
New Shelter for Horses and Burros
All of us at Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary are humbled by the generous donation by Virginia Clagett for our
new horse run-in shed. Early in the summer, the old structure in the back pasture had lost its structural integrity
and had to be taken down. This left the equines without adequate shelter. During the summer months, this was
not worrisome, but we looked at the inevitable season change.
Last summer DWS applied for a grant to rebuild the run-in
shed. The competition was strong and, unfortunately, the
company underwriting the grant selected a different non-profit.
We approached Virginia, asking her for guidance in approaching
some horse enthusiasts. The rest is history.
Throughout her career on the Anne Arundel County Council
and as a Maryland State Delegate, Virginia was an advocate for
animals in her personal life and her politics. Now in her
retirement, Virginia has shown that her advocacy for animals
continues.
Thanks to the hard work of Greg Trigg, the new run-in shed
is almost complete—just in time for the really cold weather.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Virginia Clagett for everything
she has done for the animals at Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary.
DWS NEWSLETTER FALL-WINTER 2013
Congress Woman Edwards Comes to DWS
In mid-August, DWS was honored to spend several hours with Congresswoman Donna Edwards and her aide
Selena Singleton as they toured the restored pond and the sanctuary. Due to a scheduling conflict, Rep. Edwards
was unable to attend the May 30 dedication.
The congresswoman was guided first to the clinic which houses smaller, injured and immature animals. Both
the congresswoman and Ms. Singleton seemed intrigued
by the variety of critters that greeted them: snakes, turtles,
fidgety baby raccoons, bunnies, opossums, squirrels, birds,
etc. Of course, each animal comes with a story and that
was true of the rest of the tour where the women met our
donkeys, horses, chickens, raptors, Tom the turkey, emus
and other assorted larger animals.
It was an honor to meet Congresswoman Edwards. Her
interest in Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary is heartening.
She provided us with helpful suggestions for us to utilize
in our work. We thank her for spending her valuable time
with us.
Young Talent Helps Animals
Jack Yee, a ten-years-old, is selling books and the animals at Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary are the
beneficiaries. Jack and his mother/book agent presented a signed copy of Jack’s book to Sandy Carr, the
sanctuary’ director, along with $49.50 in cash, which was profit from the original book, Nature Wars: When
Trashers Attack. To date, this amazing young man continues to donate his book’s proceeds to DWS. Thanks Jack!
A Big Paws Up!
There were many businesses that went out of their way
to help us this year. We want to thank Gary Garman of
Garman Brothers Lumber Company, Inc., or
Crownsville, Maryland. Gary and his crew delivered
some much-needed fence boards. For some reason, the
horses decided to knock down our paddock, not once,
but several times. Gary came to the rescue for us.
Thanks, Gary!
We had a landscape emergency. Two days before
the May 30 pond dedication where residents and
dignitaries descended on DWS, we were in dire need of
a visual makeover. Peppermint and other
weeds had taken over planters all around
the exact location of the big event. In two
hours, Gene Olmo and his crew from
Olmo Bros. Construction and
Landscaping turned a disaster into
lovely, colorful gardens. Knockout roses,
evergreen scrubs and giant yellow zinnias
were there to add to that special day.
Thank you, Gene, for donating your services to DWS.
A big thank you goes to Annapolis Maritime
Plastics, owned and operated by Keith Manuel. Keith
came through for us with sheets of heavy, clear plastic
to add to the parrot cages in our small animal clinic.
This helps keep the exuberant cockatoos and macaws
from throwing pieces of seed at us. Imagine what a
kernel of corn bouncing off your head at sixty mph
feels like. The plastic will also help keep their cage
warmer in the winter months. Thanks, Keith!
Brad Johns of Brickman Landscaping and his
crew spent a day providing maintenance around the
sanctuary doing much needed work. They
trimmed and pruned trees and scrubs,
pulled ivy and other much needed clean
up. These services are vital because DWS
volunteers’ priority is that of the animals.
The animals and people of DWS are
grateful for the dedicated work that James
Duckett has done for us over the years.
Thanks, Jimmy—we love you!
Together We Can Make A Difference!
Cochise: The Surprise Who Came to Stay
There are many memorable days at the sanctuary; none more memorable than a spring afternoon in 2000. That
was the day that a trailer full of wild burros rescued from the Mojave was unloaded at the sanctuary. Eighteen
wild burros; a few pregnant; one foal. The littlest burro was the biggest surprise. He was only a few weeks
old and the journey had been hard on him. He must have been accidentally separated from his mother before
he was shipped. He was in bad shape and we were afraid he wouldn’t survive but Sandy bottle–fed him several
times a day and he pulled through.
Sandy had been expecting one burro but agreed to care for the other burros for a couple of days after being
assured that their new families would be picking them up. No adopters arrived so Sandy was faced with the
challenge of finding good homes for a lot of wild burros. Of course, Sandy was successful. The burros were
placed; but Cochise preferred the sanctuary, he was adopted twice and returned twice. He had decided to make
the sanctuary his permanent home, surrounded by his equine friends and people who love him. He has become
a very handsome guy and the largest burro in our herd. He adores being brushed, loves carrots and vanilla
wafers, and has strong opinions about having his hooves trimmed.
Looking Ahead…
Sanctuary Wish List
* Building supplies and/or tools
This spring we are looking forward
to getting a new, larger building for
our clinic—we need the space!
The pre-fabricated building will be
delivered on site. It is just the shell
that we will have to finish. We
estimate this project will cost about
$5,000.
* Volunteers! Training provided:
feeding, cleaning, general
maintenance
* Rough cut lumber: 1”x6”x16’
for fencing
* Boxed and canned food, all
types (non-perishable)
* Canned fish: tuna, sardines,
herring, salmon
* Wild bird seed, sunflower seed,
millet
* Large parrot seed mix
* Cedar shavings for cages
(bagged)
* Puppy pads (for bird cages)
* Forever stamps
* Gift certificates for: Bowen’s
Farm Supply, Home Depot,
PetSmart, Ace Hardware
IN MEMORY OF…
Joan Bourke’s cousin, Christina
Nelson by Joan and Tom Bourke
Fiona Vance aka “Fee Fee LaRoux”
by Lesley Vance
J. Schrader’s cat, Yank Porter
Oreo, beloved cat of Sherri and Paul
Anthony by Susan Dziedzic
Donna Tafuri-Mills’ beloved dog,
Kyoko by Eileen Williams
Lewis Norwood by Estelle Norwood
Mustard Seed, my beloved cat by
Donna Taylor
My dog Rebe by Mari Danek
St. Nicholas by Idia Davin
_______________________
IN HONOR OF…
Grand-dogs Juneau and Moe by Fred
Hunt
Kathy L. Grow, my daughter by
Leonie Bowers
My daughter, Karin Smith by William
Clark
Sue Scalone by Nancy Terry
Our daughter Kathy, a cat and
animal lover, by Richard and Linda
Hopkins
Paco by Sandy and the DWS
volunteers
Susan Davis by Anne Mattingly
Sandy Carr and the DWS super
volunteers by Joe and JoAnn Lamp
Our boys: Pepper, Punkin and
Chessie by Carol Welser
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Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary
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*** Check out a neat video of the sanctuary ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DZ7r8Lygm4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sanctuary...
My fears are over... now I am home,
And so my story ends.
Thru these woods & fields I’ll roam,
And live with my new friends.
DWS now accepts donations online via PayPal at www.wildlifesanctuary.us/dws