[…]for wildlife rehabilitators, featuring a section on each aspect of caring for wild aquatic birds: Anatomy, Handling, Physical Examination, Captivity-related Problems, Feather function and structure, Waterproofing, Diet, Housing, and Release. With over 100 black and white and color photos, appendices covering common parasites, frequently used medications, and re-usable protective keel wraps, as well as a full glossary, this manual is a first of its kind. With examples intended for the novice or experienced rehabilitator, and with suggestions to meet any budget while still providing quality care. Go to the Publications Page for more >> $38.99 (plus $3.99 shipping & handling, […]
[…]days the fox was able to stand and take a few weak steps. After six days, he could walk and stand easily. We moved him to outdoor housing to test his ambulation. Immediately he ran to the far side of our mammal housing. He did stumble a bit when he reached the other side, about 30 feet away, which was important to note as an observation. Nevertheless his run was a very remarkable display. Over the next couple of weeks his coordination continued to improve, until we could not perceive that he’d ever had a problem. He was in fine […]
[…]to suffer more traumatic injuries from these impacts, such as broken bones, and internal organ damage. After a week in care, the owl was flying very well and had fully recovered from their misadventure. Now we only had to take him back to Mendocino. All of our patients present challenges. From the moment we learn of a wild animal in need, we start a process that isn’t finished until the final outcome is realized. In our region, one of our common challenges, from the time of rescue to release, is the long drive. On a sunny Sunday morning the staff […]
[…]of the reward of caring for injured and orphaned wild animals. Her injury was caused by something easily prevented. Reckless and irresponsible action by humans in society, one little piece of litter in a world full of toxins, traumas, challenges and threats nearly ended the life of this fox. But with accessible care available for her, and a dedicated staff, she was able to be treated successfully and returned to her wild and free life. Although the causes are the same for most of our patients, not all are so lucky. Most aren’t. Thanks to your support, we are able […]
[…]birds, reptiles, and mammals (not to mention the targeted species!) numbers in the thousands along the California coast alone each year. (see study here) According to the Humane Society of the United States (link here) over a million marine animals are killed each year by “longline” fishing at sea. From “ghost nets” that sweep silently through the sea, lost from their vessel, killing whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, fish and more, to wads of monofilament line that litter the shores of rivers and lakes ensnaring chickadees and egrets, this pollution problem is a source of untold, unknowable suffering for our […]
[…]lease ends at the end of this year. It took us until this Summer to locate a property that we can afford and make work. By afford, I mean, that its sale price to us is a very good deal and significantly less than any other property we’ve considered. I do not mean that we have the money. We don’t. But this property is a rare opportunity and I do believe that we will be able to secure some kind of financing – both the property and Humboldt Wildlife Care Center are good bets. But the costs of moving is […]
[…]that raccoons care even a little bit about calendars or clocks). Both raccoons were late season babies in a year that saw significant departures from our normal caseload – a huge increase in mammal babies as well as an extended season that lasted over a month longer than past years. One raccoon, a female, was brought to us in early October, weighing only 450 grams, very skinny, with an infection that left both of her eyes crusted shut and heavy congestion. She was only about 4 weeks old, with teeth just beginning to emerge. Her first day in care was […]
[…]Alba) were admitted to Humboldt Wildlife Care Center mid-July, nestlings who’d been unintentional stowaways on a truckload of hay from Siskiyou county and delivered to Myrtletown. We’ve posted a story about their care (check out A Half Dozen Barn Owls in a Truckload of Hay). This is the story of their release. We’d been planning a trip deep into Siskiyou to return these owls to where they were from. In preparation the owls had each shown they could identify, capture and eat prey (a necessary step when rehabilitating orphaned hunters). They were each expert at flight, in excellent condition, and […]
[…]wildlife rehabilitation; we must always refine our methods, always be ready to accommodate our latest observations, and always look for new ways to increase the quality of the care that we provide during oil spills and other catastrophic events that impact wildlife so adversely. Husbandry of wildlife brings its own questions, both of theory and practice—and we learn, of course, from our patients in these matters. We capture and we care for them because we believe that we must, though the theory remains unproved. We capture and we try to keep them alive when the ways of the world had […]
[…]a bi-annual conference on the Effects of Oil on Wildlife, and, as such, are well versed in the latest science. The “experts” that I am referring to rarely, if ever, attend this global forum for oiled wildlife professionals, nor do they attempt to learn about advancements and successes in oiled wildlife rehabilitation. While the devotion, skill and experience of the staff of these two response organizations is well-documented, and highly acknowledged, the charge that the oil industry, in this case BP, reaps benefits from this high-profile activity can’t be so easily dismissed. In fact this charge has dogged […]