The Wildnews - the Wildlife Center of Venice

Summer 2010
The Wildnews
Phone: (941) 484-9657
Inc.
501c3 Non-Profit Organization
www.WildlifeCenterofVenice.org
Largest Area Bird Rescue Team Serving all of Sarasota & West
Charlotte Counties since 2004. The WCV receives No Federal, State,
County, or City Funding, and is run solely on donations.
Photo Credit: IBRRC
Oil Spill Response For Birds
By Kevin Barton
There are only two internationally recognized oil spill response organizations in the United States dedicated to oiled
bird rehabilitation. They are Tristate Bird Rescue of Delaware and the International Bird Rescue & Research Center of
California. Both of these organizations are setting up and running cleaning stations in affected Gulf Coast communities.
Both organizations are contracted by BP and regulated by the Coast Guard, USFWS & OSHA. They will have experienced
rehabilitators, veterinarians, government backing and BP’s credit card onsite to help save as many affected birds as possible.
(That is the good news.)
The bad news is that participation by our local wildlife rehab centers (that usually handle all local wildlife issues from
those man-made like fish hooks, car impacts and power line electrocutions to natural events like red tide blooms, botulism
and hurricanes) will be highly restricted. This is a very uneasy feeling for those of us that are usually on the front lines of
wildlife care. It is important to explain that the needs of a successful cleaning station are beyond the means of most rehab
facilities, especially with regards to the huge water heaters and hazardous waste disposal required. An average of 300 gallons
of heated water is used per bird according to IBRRC and all oil, water, soap, and other contaminants collected must be trucked
away. This stuff can’t go down your drain or septic tank. The required HAZMAT gear is provided by BP and governmental
agencies. Every bird that survives the cleaning process will be federally banded for future measure of success or failure. Most
rehabilitation centers can’t do this. ( continued on page 3 )
Our Mission
Rescue, Rehabilitation,
& Release of Sick, Injured,
and Orphaned Wild Animals
Otter pup
Wildlife Center of Venice, Inc.
Member of the NWRA, IWRC, & FWRA.
Board of Directors
Kevin Barton Linda Schrader
Linda Barton
Jody Theakos
Jane Reeves
President
Vice President
Secretary / Treasurer
Volunteer/ Project Coordinator
Event Planner / Merchandising
Center Updates
I’m proud to report to you, our supporters and patrons, that the WCV
has continued to grow, despite the economy and an ever increasing work
load. Thanks to you, the Center was able to help over 12,000 wild animals
in need since our inception in 2004. As of June 30th of this year, WCV has
treated 1,731 patients including 940 birds, 745 mammals and 46 reptiles.
To accommodate these numbers, we have hired an additional rehabilitator,
and have labored to increase our infrastructure by adding twelve mammal
enclosures and completing the three long awaited 20’x 48’ seabird aviaries.
These new structures will benefit the majority of our patients as they
approach release time. Such necessary improvements would not be possible
without your continued generosity.
Many of our cages are filled by our all volunteer wildlife rescue team
that are on the road everyday of the year in their own vehicles from the
Sarasota/Bradenton line south to Boca Grande, Englewood and North Port.
Last year our dispatchers answered over 4180 animal related calls and our
rescuers responded to over 3750 situations in the field. The animals brought
back to the center were then cared for by many other volunteers from
feeders, cleaners and rehab assistants to home care moms and dads and, of
course, our supportive veterinarians and their staffs. To all of you, Linda and
I are indebted, for making our dreams a reality and for helping us to help the
too often helpless.
I must also thank our volunteer fundraisers, educators, booth
attendants and parade goers for spreading our mission of helping local
wildlife in need and for tirelessly furthering this simple cause, yet massive
undertaking. Recent grants received, news articles, a TV documentary with
WEDU’s Gulfcoast Journal and increases in volunteers and donors are all
signs that our collective efforts are helping the Wildlife Center of Venice to
better serve our community. Thank you.
Advisory Board
Peg Magee
Larry Corl
Bill Korp
Susan Murray
Education Director
Rescue Training Class
Legal Advice
Special Projects
Rehabilitation Staff
Mark Martell
Melissa Tinsley
Veterinary Resource Panel
Dr. Ellis DVM
Dr. Iulo DVM
Dr. Kellogg DVM
Dr. Kohn DVM
Dr. Kurzydlo DVM
Dr. Landess DVM
Dr. Mossler DVM
Dr. Ward DVM
24’ x 24’ Mammal Enclosure. Made possible by Sarasota’s Cat Depot, Brittania Homes,
Board members Jane Reeves and Jody Theakos, and WCV volunteers Mark Martell,
Kevin Cranberry, Brad Bliss, Blanche and Jacques Boudreau.
Newsletter Design Donated by
Jason Barton
www.WildlifeCenterofVenice.org
Phone: (941) 484-9657
Email: [email protected]
12 cages, capable of housing over 60.
Raccoon youngsters enjoying new digs.
Oil Spill Response For Birds continued from page 1
What we can do is prepare for the worst. Our volunteer base, the largest of
its kind in the area, is well equipped to handle most wildlife emergencies (with
very diverse professional backgrounds including Coast Guard, military, police,
firefighters, Red Cross, nurses, EMTs and don’t forget our experienced rehabbers
and veterinarians). The WCV is taking advantage of all training opportunities
available. In 2008, I went to a wildlife conference held by the International Wildlife
Rehabilitators Council and co-hosted by the above mentioned IBRRC outside San
Francisco specifically to prepare for a potential oil spill in our area. To see their
setup and protocols along with some basic training was invaluable, however, BP
Deepwater Horizon specific courses are required for all aspects of cleanup response.
One such course (BP’s Mod 3 HAZMAT training) has been offered locally and nearly
30 of our volunteers have already taken it with more awaiting training opportunities
to return to our area. There are also 12 and 40 hour courses that some of our
personnel are pursuing, but these are for more experienced wildlife rehabilitators
and other paraprofessionals.
Like other facilities, and networking partners, the WCV is asking for donations
of money, supplies, and equipment. Gas cards, Home Depot and Lowe’s cards
facilitate the purchase of necessary items. We always need chest freezers, hand held
fishing nets, dog/cat kennels, leather gloves, welding gloves, thick rubber gloves,
Lactated Ringers, Pedialyte, blue dawn dish detergent, canola oil and kennel dryers.
Please know that I share every ones frustration with the current unknown and
the bureaucracy. Years of work could be quickly wiped out should the oil hit our
shores. With no end in sight and ever increasing spill estimates, we can’t help but
expect some impact. So far the main impact on us is economic as it has negatively
affected our donors. My primary concerns, however, are that cleaning stations are
located near affected birds for prompt care and that those stations are adequately
prepared, staffed, and funded. Should WCV be asked to help in any capacity in
Sarasota or Charlotte County our 80 plus volunteers are ready to help rescue, rehab,
wash, dry, transport, hold or release any wild animal. We stand ready to help area
wildlife in need. This is what we do.
If you see oiled wildlife,
Caring for hundreds of pelicans and
other sea birds annually is costly. The
WCV spends roughly $1000 a month on
fish alone! There is growing fear that with
the oil spill in the Gulf, our fish suppliers
will be forced to raise prices.
Offshore birds like this northern gannet
are likely to be first affected in our area,
as they were in Louisiana.
call 1-866-557-1407.
If you would like to volunteer with oiled birds,
please email: [email protected] or call 404-679-7049.
If you would like to help with beach cleanup, please visit:
www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
July 17, 2010
3 pm to 8 pm
at
Lucky Pelican Bistro
9239 Lake Osprey Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
Three massive 48’ X 20’ X 14’ seabird
aviaries, nearly completed, are ready to
assist with oil affected birds, should they
be needed.
Just east of University & I-75
Join the Pelican Club: Prepare Educate Lead Invest Care Action Now
• Find out what you can do NOW. Talk with those in the know.
• Fun for the Family, Live Music, Enjoy the area’s best seafood and more.
• Donate items for rescue. For list of helpful items, such as medicines,
cleaning products and materials visit:
www.wildlifecenterofvenice.org/wish_list.html
Two cormorants sitting by a pool in the
new aviary, made from an old boat.
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Sandhill Crane Reunion
by Linda Schrader
On May 13th, WCV received a call about a
sandhill crane (SHC) family that was hit by a car in
front of the Stoneybrook development on Center Ave.
in Venice. Henry Brooks, Kevin and I responded to
the call. Unfortunately, one of the adults died at the
scene. The other adult was injured, but flew off when
approached by an animal control officer earlier. The
baby crane, whose sibling had been killed by a car less
than a week earlier, was brought to WCV. We placed
the baby in a large aviary where there were three
adult cranes rehabilitating after receiving broken legs
by stray golf balls and cars. One of the adults took an
immediate interest in the baby and began to feed her
right away. It was a wonderful sight to see!
It took three days before we were able to capture
the baby’s remaining, injured parent. Special thanks
to all the residents at Stoneybrook, particularly James
My two Moms.
Mahoney, LuAnn Booker, and Wendy DiMeo. It’s
extremely difficult to catch a flighted bird, but rescuers Larry Corl and Peg McGee made it look easy. We are fortunate to have a
talented and skilled rescue team.
Upon arriving at the Center, our rehabilitators noticed that the crane was extremely disoriented—she was very unsteady
and would walk backwards when stressed. We could not detect any fractures, so we decided to treat her with supportive care.
She was placed in a 50 foot aviary next to the other cranes. At first, she showed no interest in the others, even her own baby.
We couldn’t even imagine what she had been through—losing her mate and babies all within a week. She needed some time
to heal. We tried putting her baby in with her (much to the dismay of the “surrogate mom”), but there was no recognition by
the adult. So we put the baby back in with the surrogate. Three days later, one of our volunteers, Brad Bliss noticed that the
parent crane finally recognized her baby. She was feeding it worms through the chain link mesh connecting the two aviaries.
Mother and baby were communicating (special sounds SHC’s make that I won’t even try to explain!). Each day we are seeing
more and more improvement and the baby is being cared for by both adults. Our goal is to release all 3 together near their
capture sites, once the baby can fly. We don’t want to take a chance on releasing them until the kid is independent for fear of
abandonment by both adults, in a custody battle.
Good Mama!
By Peg Magee
Ed Hicks and I slowly carried the twiggy nest with its precious cargo of three five-week-old baby squirrels from the back seat
of the car to a spot just near the cabbage palm tree in the courtyard. This tree, at Pelican Alley Restaurant near the Albee
Road Bridge had been trimmed of its dead and dried out fronds the morning before. That was when the trimmer discovered
the nest and placed it carefully on the ground next to the tree. He waited to see if mama would come for her three babies,
but with all the chain saw noise and commotion, she didn’t return. Being a wildlife enthusiast, Mike worried about the little
guys all during his lunch hour and decided to bring them to the Wildlife Center to be raised for about four months and then
released. But the following morning, we decided to give Mom another, quieter, chance. We returned to the enclosed patio
at the restaurant, placed the nest on the table near the tree and waited.
During our watch, we commented on the incredible nest, about 2 feet long,
of woven twigs, and lined with soft cabbage palm boat fringe—warm and
soft for the babies. Almost an hour went by until we spotted Mom in the
tree above the nest. I grabbed Ed’s arm and held my breath. How thrilling,
this could be it. Sure enough, she made her way down the trunk, entered
the nest, and emerged with one of the babies, all curled up in her mouth,
like a cat carries a kitten. She scampered across the courtyard, climbed
to a fence, and ran its length to the bridge where she disappeared below.
She returned for the second, and then the third, scampering into the
foliage under the bridge where they could be safe from flying raptors, and
hopefully other predators. After all the work, she left her nest behind--now
a cherished display for the WCV’s education outreach program.
Mama carrying babies to safety, one by one.
4
Baby Season
Baby mocking bird gaping for cricket.
by Kevin Barton
After a long cold winter by Florida standards, the
WCV hit the ground running in order to accommodate
the onslaught of babies--called spring. In wildlife
rehabilitation, spring is known as baby bird season
and staff and volunteers take bets on the seasons first
arrivals (a tradition I was introduced to back at the
Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary). This year, Melissa won
the bet for songbirds with the March admission of a
baby mockingbird. In the weeks that followed, the
WCV received hundreds of songbirds (including more
mockingbirds, cardinals, bluejays, grackles, thrashers,
wrens, woodpeckers, shrikes, crows, sparrows, tufted
titmice, flycatchers, and doves). It is fun to work
with the variety, but these guys get fed every 20 to 30 minutes for between 10 and 12 hours, making for extremely long,
demanding days!
Not all spring admits are songbirds. In fact, the WCV has already received numerous bouncing baby birds of prey, (such
as bald eagles, osprey, red tail hawks, red shoulder hawks, sharp shinned hawks, coopers hawks, great horned owls, barred
owls, screech owls, swallow tailed kites, and black vultures). The WCV has also admitted many baby ducklings, herons, egrets,
moorhen, sandhill cranes, an endangered limpkin, and least terns. It is important to note that many of these temporary
orphans were reunited with their parents, including those that required me to climb to heights of 60 feet up trees or power
poles. In the case of two bald eagle chicks grounded by a downed tree, Linda and I sacrificed our second Papasan chair. Using
these chair frames is the best idea I’ve ever had for renesting eagles and osprey. They work so well that I am spreading the
word to rehab centers all over, but please save and salvage local ones for the WCV.
Spring may be dominated by birds, but the lack of sleep is compounded by orphan mammals which need to be fed
every two to six hours, both day and night, which requires home care. Orphaned mammals this season include otters, deer,
squirrels, raccoons, skunk, bats, rabbits, moles, opossums, mice, fox, bobcats, armadillos, and flying squirrels. Again, variety
is the spice of life, but whenever possible we try not to get between healthy babies and their parents. If you need help
deciding what to do, call our staff for guidance, and NO, it is usually not true that animals touched by humans will be
abandoned by their mothers. WCV reunites families all the time while educating callers on individual situations.
Baby season lasts through the summer in our area and many more species and hundreds of babies are still to come.
Please help us meet the demands of these needy youngsters by donating time, supplies, or, of course, money. This is the time
of year that the WCV is busiest and that donations are slowest.
Eaglets grounded by downed tree. at
Larry Byrd’s property in Sarasota.
Papasan frame with nesting material.
Larry Corl and caller ready the lift.
Kevin Barton securing platform.
Papasan chair frames are ideal replacements for osprey
and eagle nests. They are the perfect size, shape,
strength, and weight. If any of our supporters would
like to donate old papasan chairs, please call us at
(941) 484-9657. Drop offs are accepted daily, pickups
5
can be arranged if necessary.
Chick-A-Boom Goes Boom
By: Melissa Tinsley
Due to habitat loss, Least Terns often
nest on rock rooftops. Unfortunately, this
type of roof is becoming less common.
This juvenile fish crow enjoys his aviary
with several others.
Increasingly rare, spotted skunks like this
one, and striped skunks, need protection
in our area.
Although the WCV admitted 14 deer
fawn this year, most were reunited with
their mothers. The six remaining drink
nearly 3 gallons of fresh goat’s milk a day.
Got Milk? - call (941) 484-9657 to donate!
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Back to work after a day off, I make my
way through the hospital checking in on
the patients and new intakes that had come
in the day before. I open a door and what
do I see before me, three of the tiniest little
terns I had ever laid my eyes upon. Some
populations of Least Terns are considered
endangered due to human disturbances of
nesting areas. Least terns normally nest in
shell and gravel on the ground but some
have resorted to nesting on rock or gravel
rooftops. As so was the story for these
three little guys, coming from the gravel
rooftop of a business in an industrial park
off Fruitville Road near the Celery Fields.
They were nervous and frightened and
had no interest in any of the food I had put
before them. Throughout the morning, I
periodically would try to work with them
by enticing them with slivers of fish, worms,
and crickets to no avail. We knew we had
to get them back to their parents and
fast. I called my husband Scott at home and asked how he felt about assisting me
in getting the little guys back up on the rooftop. He questioned me climbing but
he was in. Kevin and I loaded up the ladders on to my truck and all the while, I was
taking in every tip he had to offer about how to get them and myself up safely, being
extremely cautious not to disturb any of the other chicks or parents in the process.
He also told me how Audubon members have utilized a re-nesting tool known as a
chick-a-boom. A chick-a-boom is a basket on the end of a telescopic pole used to get
the baby birds up and over back into the nesting area. “One would definitely come in
handy right now”, I thought. Kevin and I put a few things together to come up with
our best version of that.
Arriving at the business, Scott and I observed numerous Least Terns swooping all
around the rooftop tending to their young. We both looked in amazement. Then I
looked at the climb I was going to have to take and got a bit nervous for a moment
or two or three. The climb required setting up one ladder about 25 to 30 feet to
reach the first level of the roof, and then hoisting up a 6 foot ladder to get me up
to the second level of the roof where they were nesting. I peeked over and to my
amazement I saw an abundant number of chicks all over the rooftop. I carried up my
box, opened the lid, and one by one set each one over the 8 to 9 inch ledge of the
roof. As I set each one down they were off and running on those tiny little feet back
to their spots on the roof, they knew where their parents wanted them. I climbed
down and we thought we should check to make sure there were no others on the
ground. Sure enough there were. After three trips up that day, Scott and I “re-roofed”
13 of the little guys. Unfortunately, on my third and final climb, this chick-a-boom
went boom. I pushed it a little too far, stepped a little too high and stretched a little
too long and down I came as the ladder buckled beneath me. Scott cried up to me,
“Are you OK?” I moaned and said, “SSSHHHH”. He yelled again, “Are you OK?” as he
popped his head over the rooftop. Realizing that there were no broken bones, we
both laughed a bit and thought, “oh no, we have to search the ground again, what if
the noise scared more off the roof”. And so we climbed back down and searched the
grounds again but thankfully found no more so we packed it up for the day. Yeah,
I was a little bruised up but a lot more the wiser. Since then we have had two more
calls and three more terns from that industrial park, totaling 16 tiny terns “re-roofed”
so far.
The WCV has renested a record 16 great
horned owls among many other species
this year alone.
Peg McGee, WCV’s educational director,
at a school demonstration.
Recently Received Awards
Osprey chick downed by storm at G. WIZ
science museum. Picture, taken weeks
later, shows Kevin’s renesting success.
Among baby mammals treated this
year, the WCV has admitted over 160
orphaned opossums so far.
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Inc.
501c3 Not for Profit
3252 Border Rd. Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-9657
www.WildlifeCenterofVenice.org
Businesses and
Organizations
that regularly help the
Wildlife Center of Venice to
serve our community.
Veterinary Assistance
Donated by:
Jacaranda Veterinary Associates
Bayshore Animal Hospital,
Nokomis Veterinary Clinic,
& Forest Lakes Animal Hospital
Discounted Fish Provided by:
A. P. Bell Fish Company
Aylesworth Fish & Bait
Dog Food & Cat Food Donated by:
Sarasota Humane Society
Suncoast Humane Society
Produce Donated by:
Venice Sweetbay on 41 Bypass,
the Dome’s J & J Produce,
& Yoder’s Marketplace
8
Cremation Services Donated by:
Belspur Oaks Pet Crematorium
SPECIAL THANKS
to the Sarasota Veterinary Emergency Hospital, The Gulf Coast
Veterinary Oncology, & the Animal ER of Sarasota for assistance
with night rescues.
Turn your cans into cash for helping wildlife!
Drop off 7 days a week at the WCV.
Please, aluminum cans only.
Your donation in any amount helps
the Wildlife Center of Venice
in its mission to rescue,
rehabilitate and release injured, ill, and
orphaned wildlife.
Please make donations payable to
the Wildlife Center of Venice
at 3252 Border Rd. Venice , FL 34292
Name: ___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
City, State, Zip:____________________________________
E-mail:___________________________________________
Inc.
Thank you
for your
support!
Count me in on the following level:
____ $1-150. Friend of Wildlife
____ $250-999. Wildlife Angel
____ $151-249. Wildlife Caretaker
____ $1,000 and more. Wildlife Benefactor
Donate online at www.WildlifeCenterofVenice.org!