WildRescue's Blog

'Bridled' grebe

2012-01-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

Late Tuesday, we received a report of a grebe in Berkeley Aquatic Park with some type of plastic band through its mouth and around its neck. Surprisingly, the bird could still dive.

Sadly, as it turns out, the bird had been spotted in this condition on Saturday. Locals tried to rescue it, without success.

Diving birds are nearly impossible to capture by boat during daylight. To have the greatest chance of success, we would have to organize night operations.

It took quite a bit of doing, to say the least, but we managed to arrange a rescue for Thursday evening. Waterside Workshops, located at the North end of Aquatic Park, was a tremendous help, providing a selection of boats and boat operators.

By late afternoon on Thursday, the bird was spotted in the lagoon. Somehow it had managed to get its mouth free, but the material was still wrapped around the bird's neck. It was observed diving repeatedly - presumably feeding, as it had probably gone without food for days.

By 7:30 PM the team was assembled on scene. One of our lead responders, Lisa, Development Director for Golden Gate Audubon Society, was appointed Rescue Coordinator. She was joined by another East Bay responder, Rachel. Bob, who had originally reported the bird on Tuesday, was kind enough to pick up and charge the high power searchlights, and bring them to the boathouse.

After a briefing, the team searched the lagoon methodically, scanning for the injured bird. It was no where to be found. We learned, too late, that someone had been chasing after it, by boat - this may have driven it out of the area. The team will return Friday to have another look.

As a reminder, injured animals must not be chased after repeatedly. In fact, many strategies involve drawing an animal in close.

There may be only one opportunity to attempt a capture of a wild animal. Therefore, rescuers must develop a capture plan that has the greatest chance of being successful, and take the time it takes to assemble everything they will need for the greatest chance of success.

You can read more about building successful capture plans in the new book by Rebecca Dmytryk, Wildlife Search and Rescue a Guide for First Responders - available from the author at a discounted rate, HERE.

Bobcat vs Vehicle - bobcat lives!!!

2012-01-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

If it weren't for the heroic efforts by the Murrer Family of Aptos, the bobcat wouldn't have made it.

It was Saturday evening. The family was headed to the City to celebrate their daughter's 18th birthday. The suburban was full of teenagers. As they rounded one of the curves on Hames Rd., they saw a bobcat, flailing on the center divide.

They acted quickly and smartly to block traffic, and scooted the injured animal to the side of the road. While doing so, they noticed a freshly squashed gopher - perhaps what had encouraged the cat onto the highway.

Blood poured from the cats nose and mouth as it lay motionless, but breathing. Leaving part of the family to stand guard, the others went back to the house, a block away, to get a carrier and towels.

Back on scene, they covered the cat with towels to reduce stress as it was coming to. The Sheriff and Santa Cruz Animal Care and Control arrived thereafter.

WildRescue received the call from Officer Carlos. We quickly dispatched two of our responders, Dan and Deanna, who picked up the cat from the shelter. It was transferred to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley.

By the time it arrived, the cat was bright, alert, and showing no obvious injuries. Over the next two days their expert medical team monitored the female bobcat and examined her thoroughly. Radiographs showed no fractures and she was approved for release.

On Tuesday evening, the feisty cat was released at the Murrer's residence, less than a mile from where it was hit, in a field where they had regularly seen a bobcat. Here's a video of the release:

Bobcat Release from WildRescue on Vimeo.

We are so grateful to everyone involved in this cat's rescue. From the Murrer Family, who went out of their way to save it from sure death, to Officer Carlos, who alerted us of the animal's needs - our responders who made sure the animal was picked up and transferred in a timely manner, and to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley (WCSV) for providing expert evaluation and care.

The WCSV is a tremendously valuable resource in the San Jose area, providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitative care to injured wildlife. We urge you to support their program, HERE.

Wildlife SAR Training Class

2012-01-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

The first of this year's Wildlife Search and Rescue trainings was a great success!

The first part of the training took place indoors and covered the fundamental elements of a rescue mission - human safety, the animal's welfare, and the potential for success. The course also goes into great detail on specific capture technique, safe handling of wildlife, and proper use of capture equipment - which students put into practice during the outdoor portion of the training.

Sometimes, the only way to get close enough to capture a wild animal is to stay out of sight until the last second. One of the training exercises lets students practice with handheld radios, guiding each other through a 'blind' capture of a decoy.

Another decoy, RoboDuck, gives students a chance to practice various approaches. If they aren't spot on, RoboDuck will get passed them.

Check out the fun video!

RoboDuck Challenge from WildRescue on Vimeo.

Many Thanks to the Berkeley Shorebird Nature Center for providing the facility!

More classes are scheduled: Feb. 12th in Burlingame; Feb. 18th in Moss Landing; Feb. 24th in Berkeley; and March 11 in San Francisco! To sign up, click HERE.

If you are interested in hosting a class, please click HERE.

Update on mew gull

2012-01-12T13:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, Duane and Rebecca traveled to San Francisco to see if they could capture the gull. They met two additional WildRescue responders, Julie and Susan, and an officer with San Francisco The bird was spotted approaching a woman who was feeding the pigeons. It appeared interested in food, but quickly flew off before rescuers could get there with nets.

After canvassing the area for hours, the gull was sighted again, this time he was on a large wooden platform among other guls. He appeared weak, keeping its head tucked in its feathers, resting.

The Stow Lake Boathouse operators were very helpful, allowing the team to use their boats to access the platform.

With two responders applying pressure from the opposite side of the platform, Duane readied the the air-powered net-gun in case the bird walked within range. He was nearly close enough, when the flock took off and headed for the other side of the lake.

Using the row boats, the team followed, hoping the bird would land in the water, not on the gnarled trees limbs, where the nets would be impossible to use.

Luckily, it landed in the water. Duane was able to launch the net, which spread out and over the bird, but it was just shy - a few inches farther and the bird would have been caught.

The gull flew to the small island, where it remained out of reach until sunset.

Loaded for gull.

This morning, one of our lead responders in the Bay Area, Patrick, left home early and rendezvoused with three additional responders to attempt a rescue. While searching for the gull they happened upon an ill goose with an old keel injury. They scooped it up and it was transferred to Peninsula Humane Society for treatment.

In the meantime, Patrick, Julie, Marissa and Loretta continued the hunt for the gull. It was spotted near the island again, maneuvering behind the protective branches of an old pine. At one point, when the other gulls flew off, it approached the boat, showing some interest in food.

UPDATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 15th

Unfortunately, the gull never approached close enough for it to be captured by rescuers. Days went by with no reported sightings. We feared the worst.

Sunday afternoon, after teaching class, Rebecca and Duane scoured Stow Lake, inspecting each mew gull in the area. Nothing.

On their drive home, they received the message - a friend and long-time supporter of WildRescue had spotted the gull at Stow Lake. She reported the bird was able to open its mouth and eat a small piece of bread. This is great news!!!

We will keep you updated as this rescue unfolds.

Sightings should be reported immediately to 415-979-9700.

Mew gull injured by fishing lure

2012-01-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Photo: courtesy Richard Drechsler

Friday night, we received two reports of a young mew gull, in first winter plumage, that had become snagged by a fishing lure. There was no sign of line - only the lure, which was caught on the bird's right nare (nostril). Click on the image above to enlarge.

The bird had been seen at Elk Glen Lake and Lloyd Lake, both in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

On Saturday morning we called upon local birders and members of our Wildlife Search and Rescue Team to canvas the area for the injured seabird.

By 3:00 PM, there were no additional sightings. We were hoping this meant the bird was able to free itself of the hooks, but no such luck. We had a call from a birder on Sunday, at about 11:00, reporting the bird was at Stow Lake.

UPDATE: Sunday 11:00 AM Rounding up responders to try and capture the bird.

As a reminder, for anyone interested in learning what to do when they find a wild animal in distress, our annual training classes begin this month - the first class is being held next Saturday at the Shorebird Nature Center at the Berkeley Marina.

There are still a couple of spots available. The two-day class is $85.00 per person, for both days. Must be 18 years or older. Sign up, HERE.

To learn more about our trainings, click HERE.

Nailed Hawk Update

2012-01-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an update on the red-tailed hawk - the one that had been shot with a nail. One of our lead responders, Mark Russell, had an up-close and personal encounter with her on Friday.

On Friday Jan 6^th I was walking through the San Francisco Arboretum, in the California natives section, when I saw a blurred shape fallout of the sky. I heard a crash, and turned to see a large juvenile red-tailed hawk in a dead Manzanita bush 15feet away from me.

I had asuspicion it might be the same hawk that had been found with a nail in its head. As I slowly approached I noticed a silver metal band on herright leg, unfortunately I could not get close enough to read thenumbers.

The hawk showed very littleconcern for my presence as she was focused on finding the squirrel that wasquietly crouching under some branches. I was able to get within 6 feet of her as I strained to read thenumbers on her leg band. Finally, the squirrel madea break for a nearby tree.

Withher prey gone, she lost interest and decided to fly back to her nearbyperch. I was so grateful to get achance to see her flying free two months after her release! She looks to be in excellent health, her plumage was in goodshape and she has good body condition.

She has remained in the same area where she was originallycaptured and then released. Clearly, she is hunting successfully and has been able to fend off theaggressive red-tail pair, whose territory she seems to be in. I can onlyassume she is doing well, however, it was surprising how close she came to me in pursuit of the squirrel, and howmuch closer she allowed me to get. This is concerning, as her comfort level with humans may put her infuture risk of injury.

It is hard to say if she is so comfortable with peoplebecause she was raised in the park, where people tend to pose little threat, or ifshe is just a very mellow bird?

Itstands to reason, that hawks and other birds that choose to live in urban areasare less stressed by the hustle and bustle of humanity, but whether this is dueto nature or nurture is impossible to know. For this particular hawk, her fundamental behavior reflects her innate ability tolive free and thrive so long as humans respect her and give her the space sheneeds.

It was an amazing experience, gazing into her eyes and seeing that she had no fear of me - no fear at all, as she gazed back. I have never been so close to a healthy, free-living hawk that possessed such a strong, almost defiant character. It was a moment in time that I hopeothers get a chance to observe and yet not take advantage of by trying to touchor harm her. She is a greatambassador for letting the wild come into our city, amazing and inspiring us, while at the same time needing our protection and stewardship. May she live long and free in SanFrancisco!

Owl hit by foam

2012-01-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Image from IBR blog.

Friday, colleagues from Injured and Orphaned Wildlife (IOW), in Campbell, California, and International Bird Rescue (Cordelia, CA.) worked together to save the life of a screech owl that was accidentally sprayed with polyurethane foam.

Apparently, workers at a construction site began spraying insulation in the attic of a home when they saw the small raptor fall to the ground - three stories.

The bird was rescued and stabilized by IOW and transferred to IBR for emergency treatment.

While the small owl was under anesthesia, IBR medical staff carefully and meticulously chipped away at the hardened foam. Please read the full story and see the incredible pictures at IBR's blog, HERE.

Wild Brew Label Art Contest

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

This year, WildRescue is adding an organic and sustainably produced coffee to its line of products. Wild Brew is roasted and blended at a small company in Covington, Louisiana. Proceeds from each sale supports WildRescue's endeavors.

To help us find just the right label for THE best tasting dark roasted coffee, we've launched an art contest - open to anyone, of any age!

The winner will receive a pound of Wild Brew and one of our cool, lead-free coffee mugs.

Be creative - go wild - draw, paint, or photograph!

Just an idea. Colorful Beast by Kryz.

Deadline to submit your artwork is February 10, 2012. Email a photo or scan of your submission, along with all of your contact information, to admin@wildrescue.org.

A hawk in the house!

2011-12-29T19:00:00.000-08:00

In San Jose, homeowners had left their double-wide front doors open, just for a short while, when a large hawk dove after a house sparrow in the courtyard. The hawk snagged the little bird, but the momentum of its dive took it straight inside the foyer of the two-story home. Quickly spooked by its error, the hawk headed upward, dropping the dead sparrow on the stairwell.

One of WildRescue's first responders, Sammarye, was on scene shortly thereafter. By that time, the hawk had ventured into one of the small guest rooms - the door shut behind it.

The plan was to open the large window in the room for the raptor to escape, but no one knew how easy it would be to pop out the screen.

Shielding her head and shoulders with a leather jacket, Sammarye slowly entered the room and maneuvered past the hawk, which had settled on the bed. Reaching the window, she quickly raised the venetian blind, slid open the window, and popped out the screen frame with ease. She then used the jacket to block the stationary glass pane, so the bird wouldn't fly into it, and waited for the hawk to make its way out - which it did, in short order.

Way to go!!!

Christmas Goose

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

A single Canada goose has been hanging out at the Northern section of Elkhorn Slough near Hudson's Landing. He or she has been observed there, on and off, for about a week.

Being seen alone and remaining in one area for an extended period of time is cause for concern. On closer inspection, the goose appears 'disheveled' and in a weakened state, but not so that it's making for an easy catch.

WildRescue's directors, Rebecca and Duane, made a couple of tries for the bird over the last few days, but no luck. They will make another attempt Christmas morning.

UPDATE: 12-25-11

We got the goose! At about 8:15 we successfully captured him or her! Yay! Thanks to Ron Eby for helping out! It will be transported to SPCA for Monterey County later this morning.

Book release!

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

We're very excited to announce the release of Rebecca Dmytryk's book, Wildlife Search and Rescue, a Guide for First Responders. It was set to be published in the United Kingdom today, December 23rd, and will be published in the United States in the coming months. More from the author:

This book has been a long held aspiration of mine - something I wanted and needed to do for years. I am thrilled to finally have it finished. (I am sure my publisher is, too.)

The book outlines the fundamental principles of wildlife rescue operations and details numerous capture techniques, with an emphasis on human safety and the welfare of the animal.

I believe the information in the book will help save lives by bettering the skills of responders. I also hope it will be a catalyst for change - for improving the way wildlife casualties are responded to, especially in the United States.

I don't think of this book as the absolute word - the be-all end-all - not by any means. I see it as a living document that will be added to as years go on and we develop new and better ways of aiding wildlife.

Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who supported me in this endeavor, especially my husband, Duane.

You can find the book for sale at Amazon by clicking this link, HERE.

SUCCESS!!!

2011-12-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

Ron Eby with goose after very successful capture.

This morning - Duane and Rebecca met up with Sammarye, Deb, and Ron at Shoreline Park in Mountain View to search for crippled geese. Surprisingly, there were numerous geese sporting old injuries. One goose was missing an eye, others had various wing and leg issues.

We located the one that Sammarye and Mary initially responded to last week. It looked as though its limp had improved, so we decided to leave it alone.

We also found the other goose with droopy wings and disheveled appearance. We decided to try after him. Here is Ron's account of the rescue:

First thought was we were dealing with 'park geese' that were likely accustomed to being fed by people. Feeding the group quickly confirmed this.

By taking the time to study the behavior of the birds, we confirmed the target bird wanted to feed, but was wary of the other geese. It was attacked and harassed each time it approached to feed.

At that point, I felt we could entice it close if we could bait it in away from the main group.

I moved away from the group towards the target goose as Rebecca continued to distract the other geese. When the target goose had a clear shot to me, I extended my hand and it responded immediately. I did not throw bait, which would have attracted other geese, but rather just held it in my hand where the target goose could see it.

Fortunately, it was able to approach without being harassed. It was quite hungry and much more afraid of the other geese than me. I continued to feed it, just small bits and sometimes an empty hand just to keep it focused.

Even though it appeared to be within reach, I resisted the urge to grab it. Instead, I worked on a strategy that offered a better chance of success.

With Duane standing nearby, motionless and facing away, I felt I could manipulate the bird's body to within reach for a safe body-grab. When I thought the bird was comfortable feeding from my hand, I started to move it over, keeping its head facing me so it wouldn't notice Duane as he began to move.

With the goose entirely focused on my hand, even grabbing my thumb, Duane was able to capture it with a body-grab, covering the wings, while I secured the bird's head.

The capture was completed without a single honk and without alerting the other geese, and it was done without using a net that would have made future captures more difficult.

My point isn't that this is the most effective method, but that by considering the environment, observing how the birds react, making a plan, being patient, and most importantly working as a team, you enhance not only the chances of a successful capture, but do it in the least disruptive manner to the target and other nearby birds.

Looking forward to future successes.

Ron

Wild goose pursuits

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

This week, we received a number of calls about Canada geese with foot and leg injuries. They have been spotted at various locations in Santa Clara County.

Flighted geese are not easy to capture - they are keenly observant and quite smart. It takes a great deal of planning, patience, and sometimes a huge production to successfully capture one.

Today, Sunday, a team from WildRescue will be out and about in Santa Clara, hoping to locate and successfully capture at least one of them. Wish us luck!!!

Injured bobcat

2011-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, WildRescue received a call from the Santa Cruz Animal Control. They had a bobcat that needed help. It was found by the side of the road, unconscious, but was now coming around - inside a pet carrier, thankfully!

We made calls to nearby rehabilitators, but received no response. We then called our colleagues at Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, in San Jose, and they were more than willing to receive the injured feline.

The next task was to find someone to make the 40-mile journey, and quickly. Sammarye, one of our long-time volunteers, was up for the drive. Here's her account:

When I arrived at the shelter, the animal was in a small covered crate. As I carried it to my car it was totally quiet and I felt no movement. When I put the crate on the ground to open my car door, I lifted the edge of the cover to see if it was still alive. It weakly lifted its head and two beautiful golden eyes briefly met mine. I felt like I had looked into its soul.

I drove over the hill toward San Jose, hoping the bobcat would hang on to life. When I arrived at WCSV, there was one technician who had waited after closing for me to get there.

While she prepared for the exam, I lifted the nearly lifeless bobcat out of the crate and put it on the table. I was horrified to see how emaciated and dehydrated the poor thing was. Just fur and bones, but so beautiful, so perfect just as Nature made it. I imagined it running wild and free, but it lay limply, breathing very shallow, not moving at all.

With long heavy gloves on my hands, I held it on the table, staying alert in case it had a burst of adrenalin-driven energy. We placed an IV to hydrate it, then Traci performed an examination. There were no signs of it being hit by a car, or being shot or attacked by another animal.

I held onto it as the fluids dripped in. In about ten minutes, it began breathing more normally and it started moving a bit. We placed it in a warm bed with lots of padding.

Bobcat after initial treatment at WCSV in San Jose.

When I left, it was sitting up, but with its head hanging down. It did not look good. I wondered if it would make it through the night.

I also wondered, since there was no sign of trauma, was it diseased or could it have been poisoned? Animals that eat mice and rats that have been poisoned can also become ill and die. - Sammarey Lewis

MANY MANY THANKS to the kind people who found and reported the bobcat - and THANK YOU Santa Cruz Animal Control for contacting WildRescue. A HUGE THANK YOU to Sammarye for her quick response, and of course, THANK YOU!!!!, Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley for your expert care of this poor creature.

Fibromatosis in deer

2011-12-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

A concerned Santa Cruz resident emailed us a photograph of a deer they had seen in their yard. It appeared alert and active, but had large growths - skin tumors - draping from its body in various locations.

Here's a link that provides lots of good information on this condition.

Huge THANK YOU to North Berkeley BART

2011-12-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

We'd like to acknowledge North Berkeley BART officials for their prompt action to reduce raptor casualties at their station.

Historically, small bird-eating hawks, like Coopers and sharp-shinned, would mistakenly fly inside the open building after prey, where they would become disoriented. Instinctively, looking to escape, they would fly upward, to what they perceived to be the sky, only to become trapped inside the glass 'top dome' of the station.

Thanks to Lisa Owens Viani, Development Director for Golden Gate Audubon Society and WildRescue responder, for bringing this to the attention of BART officials. Thanks, also, to Rachel Whitman for documenting the last victim (shown here), and the resulting changes made to the station (below) to prevent such casualties.

As this photograph shows, netting now prevents birds from flying up into the dome.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL!

Celebration

2011-12-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

We had a great turnout at our fundraiser yesterday at the Argonaut Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco! Many thanks to everyone who showed up to support our efforts!

The program started just after 1:00 pm with a presentation of The Year In Rescues, which was a look back, through video and pictures, of the many wild animals rescued over the last 12 months.

It concluded with an awards ceremony, where individuals received Certificates of Recognition for their role in helping a wild animal.

A few people received the Purple Cape Award, honoring great acts of heroism. Only one Purple Cape recipient was present and able to receive his award. Dave Cogswell was honored for braving the silty bottom and shoulder-deep waters of the pond at the Palace of Fine Arts to save a young owlet from drowning.

After the show, guests were treated to wild hibiscus champagne cocktails and an elegant display of hors d'oeuvres amid a fine selection of silent auction items.

MANY THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS WHO WORKED THE EVENT, HELPING ENSURE GUESTS HAD A GREAT TIME!!!

After the event, in WildRescue fashion, responders, Winnie, Kelle, Duane, and Rebecca, set out in search of a reportedly injured female wood duck at Lloyd Lake. By the time they arrived and met with the RP, it was quite dark. Even so, they managed to find the duck, sitting on a log in the lake. After a few valiant tries, they lost sight of her and decided to call it a night and try again in the morning.

Cooper's Hawk rescue...

2011-11-19T19:10:00.001-08:00

Today, Duane and Rebecca responded to a call about a Cooper's hawk that was stuck inside the large printing warehouse of the Wall Street Journal in Mountain View, CA.

The bird was likely pursuing a small bird when it traveled into a loading dock before entering the cavernous building.

In the back, where the lights are on, the ceiling extends another
20' or so making it especially difficult to reach, or to flush out.

Thankfully, it was a Saturday and the web press was not in use - the facility was dark and quiet. One of the paper's longtime employees, Mitch, helped out with a forklift to get Duane high enough to reach the ceiling with a long-handled net. Confused in the darkness, the bird fell softly into the bag of the net.

Frightened, but in good shape, the hawk was immediately set free.

A new chapter in wildlife rehabilitation

2011-11-12T14:03:00.001-08:00

WildRescue's director, Rebecca Dmytryk, spent the last few days at the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she gave a presentation on reuniting raptors.

Rebecca was part of a seven-member panel of experts invited to speak and participate in a newly formed working group being sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

The group, spearheaded by veteran wildlife rehabilitator, Anne Miller, is hoping to make the process of reuniting of healthy wild babies an essential element of wildlife rehabilitation - not simply an option, but an obligation.

Entrapped Red-Shouldered Hawk RESCUED

2011-11-07T08:04:00.001-08:00

It was first discovered Thursday - a young red shouldered hawk trapped inside a firetruck bay.

WildRescue was alerted Friday afternoon. On Saturday, one of our capture teams tried unsuccessfully to lure the bird to a trap. Finally, Sunday, the bird was captured and transported by WildRescue to Peninsula Humane Society.

After a couple of days under observation and treatment for dehydration, a WildRescue responder drove the hawk back to Half Moon Bay where it as released by Firefighter Bob. Check out the video below.

A huge Thank You! to PHS Wildlife Center staff for their quick and expert care of the hawk!

Loss of a friend and colleague...

2011-11-05T11:58:00.001-07:00

The world has lost a great human being - a kind, brilliant, smart-witted man who dedicated his life to the conservation of gibbons - the gangly, long-limbed arboreal apes of Southeast Asia - all endangered.

For those unfamiliar with his work, please visit the Gibbon Conservation Center web site.

Funeral services will be held at Groman Eden Mortuary, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Gibbon Conservation Center for its continued success.

WORLD LOSES LEADING APE CONSERVATIONIST
Alan Richard Mootnick, 1951-2011
A Savior of Endangered Apes

Alan Richard Mootnick—one of the world’s foremost specialists and conservationists of gibbons—passed away on Friday, November 4, 2011, from complications following heart surgery. He was 60 years old.

Mootnick founded the non-profit Gibbon Conservation Center (GCC) in Santa Clarita, CA, in 1976, with the purpose to prevent the extinction of gibbons—small Southeast Asian apes—and to advance the study, propagation, and conservation of the species.

What started as a childhood fascination with gibbons developed into an important sanctuary, housing the largest gathering of endangered apes in the Western Hemisphere. Completely self-taught in primatology, Mootnick was one of a team responsible for the identification and naming of the highly endangered Hoolock Gibbon.

He published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and offered advice to zoos, government agencies, veterinary universities, and gibbon rescue centers throughout the world.

Mootnick and his work touched countless individuals and institutions. Hundreds of school children and students visit the Gibbon Conservation Center yearly, and the general public enjoys the annual “Breakfast With the Gibbons” fundraiser.

Known for an eccentric style—gray-spotted beard, constant suspenders, and dry sense of humor—Mootnick was a person not easily forgotten...

Red-Tailed Hawk Release

2011-11-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

The red-tailed hawk that had been shot with a framing nail was returned to the wild on Wednesday. She had been in care at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley for about 10 days, undergoing treatment for her wound.

The bird was returned to her home grounds at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens where she was captured on October 22. WildRescue's Director recounts the release:

It was an incredible release event - it could not have gone any better, and there are many people to thank for this. The Botanical Garden staff were wonderful. The Director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory went out of his way to be on hand to ring the bird with a federal identifying marker - a metal leg band. Her band number is 1957-02561.

We were also really honored to have Lieutenant Brown from the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control join us - his agency is continuing the investigation into the crime. We were also very pleased to have Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, who joined Lt. Brown in setting the hawk free.

After the door was opened, she hesitated a bit before taking off, landing in a tree just above a group of school chldren. She stayed in the tree for almost 20 minutes, much to the delight of the visitors and media.

While her behavior - her seeming indifference towards humans, might otherwise be cause for concern, this particular, individual bird seems to have adjusted to living around humans. This is just the way she is. Let's hope her acceptance of humans does not get her into more trouble.

We would like to keep track of her. Please feel free to report confirmed sightings to rescue (at) wildrescue (dot) org.

SF CHRONICLE

SF EXAMINER

Continuing education

2011-10-30T07:32:00.001-07:00

Deanna practicing gavage on a deceased grebe.

One of WildRescue's lead responders, Deanna Barth, attended an intensive, two-day course - Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation, offered by International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. The class was held last weekend in Salinas.

While Deanna has been a veterinary assistant for 13 years, which came in handy during the workshop, she picked up some new skills that she can apply as a wildlife paramedic and wildlife SAR technician.

WildRescue will be offering Wildlife Search & Rescue training in beginning January, 2012. Click HERE for a flyer with upcoming dates and locations. Feel free to download and post it.

Click HERE to register for a training.

Entrapped hawks

2011-10-29T18:23:00.001-07:00

This week we had two emergencies involving hawks that were trapped inside manmade structures. Unfortunately, it's not THAT uncommon a situation.

Accipiters, like the Cooper's hawk, can wind up inside buildings during their pursuit of small birds. Once inside, they instinctively head upward - often to the highest peak possible. Windows and skylights disorient and confuse the birds even further.

In some situations, it's possible for a hawk to find its way out - but it's very risky to delay a rescue. These high strung birds cannot last long - a few days, at the most, until they have exhausted themselves by flying around, looking for a way out, hitting against the ceiling and against panes of glass.

We lost a bird to this earlier in the week - a juvenile sharp-shinned hawk.

The bird was first observed Monday afternoon at the North Berkeley BART Station. It was perched high up, in the tallest part of the building - a glass dome where the temperature during the day can become very high.

Sadly, by the time a team of rescuers arrived, it was weak and in bad shape. It did not survive.

A second hawk - a juvenile Cooper's hawk, wound up inside the Whisman Sport Center gymnasium in Mountain View, CA, with a 45' high ceiling!

It was first observed Tuesday. We were alerted Thursday. No other entity in the area was able to respond - and we were only able to make the hour-long trek Friday morning.

We knew the bird would be hungry and the best way to catch the bird would be to lure it into a trap. We set a spring-loaded box trap and a bal-chatri. We'd no more turned our backs after setting the devices, when he dove in.

This was our first time using this trap, but it worked pretty well. We need to make a few modifications, but it felt good to put the contraption to good use. You see, it was once used to trap and kill raptors. Authorities confiscated it as evidence - part of a sting operation. It was donated to WildRescue this year.

The hawk was driven immediately to the Peninsula Humane Society Wildlife Center, just down the street, where it received immediate care for dehydration. It was in good shape and was set free the next morning.

The doves employed in this operation have been adopted into a forever-home where they can live out their lives in a large aviary. Please read our live animal policy below:

POLICY ON USE OF LIVE ANIMALS FOR TRAPPING PREDATORS

When attempting to rescue a wild animal that can only be captured using live bait as a lure, we face a secondary dilemma - how to employ the service of a live animal while maintaining the same concern for its welfare as we do for the animal we intend to capture. Below is WildRescue's policy on use of live animals in trapping exercises.

1) During trapping exercises, WildRescue will employ the service of animals that are maintained in forever-homes.

2) These animals, birds and small mammals, will be: a) personal pets; b) individuals that were spared euthanasia through a rehabilitation center; either because they are handicapped or nonnative - such as starlings, eurasian doves, pigeons, domestic or wild rats.

3) Service periods will be limited - no individual animal will be placed in service two days in a row.

4) During exercises, when not in service, animals will be provided adequate housing with appropriate food and water available at all times.

5) All precautions will be taken to ensure animals are not physically harmed. If one is accidentally injured,it will be provided immediate medical attention.

We value any constructive feedback on our policies and procedures.

Update on the 'nailed' hawk

2011-10-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley

Courtesy WCSV

We've had word from the wildlife hospital that the hawk is reportedly doing well - thin, but very, very alert and active.

The nail that had been lodged in her head for nearly two weeks was found in the transport carrier - it came loose and dropped out during transit. Every once in a while during the drive to the hospital we heard a thump as she made an attempt to escape her padded carrier.

Photo courtesy of WCSV

We believe she sprang up and bumped the nail on the top of the carrier, dislodging it. There was no sign of additional trauma - no bleeding, thankfully. Since it had been about 2 weeks, the body encapsulated the foreign object, much like what happened with Pinky, the wild turkey that was shot through with an arrow. Read the story of his capture and recovery HERE.

The investigation into this act of cruelty is ongoing, being led by US Fish & Wildlife Service and the San Francisco Animal Care and Control.

Photo courtesy of WCSV

Radiographs and blood work revealed her to be in good shape. On Friday, she was moved to an outdoor flight enclosure so she can strengthen her flight muscles in preparation for release back to the wild, which is slated for Wednesday, November 2nd.

THANK YOU WILDLIFE CENTER OF SILICON VALLEY (WCSV)!!!

Check out WCSV's web site HERE.

Hawk shot with nail gun - CAPTURED!

2011-10-22T23:30:00.001-07:00

Photo by Catherine Clarke. Taken Oct . 14th.

Last Sunday, October 16th, WildRescue was notified of a hawk with a projectile through its face. It was seen near the Golden Gate Park Botanical Gardens in San Francisco.

Reports came through WildCare, a local birding group, and from concerned citizens who spotted the bird while visiting the gardens.

We reached out to local authorities and other wildlife groups to make sure we would not be 'stepping on toes' if we were to take on the rescue.

As with the Budweiser gulls (CLICK FOR STORY), it seemed we were the only entity able to invest the time and resources necessary for this difficult rescue operation.

On Monday, October 17th, Duane and Rebecca made the 100-mile journey to Golden Gate Park. This is their account:

We met up with Kate, a local resident who showed us where she'd originally observed the bird. Unfortunately, it was no where to be found.

Later that evening, though, after we'd left (of course), Kate spotted the hawk again, and was able to capture additional photographs, confirming the projectile was a framing nail from a nail gun.

Photo courtesy Katherine Ulrich

We alerted US Fish & Wildlife Service and the San Francisco Animal Control as we believed the bird was harmed intentionally. We also sent out press releases that included Kate's graphic images of the injured animal, hoping to get the community involved in reporting sightings. We also announce the reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible - the reward stand at $10,000.00.

We returned to the Botanical Gardens Tuesday morning. With Kate's help, we scoured the area in search of the elusive raptor. We used binoculars to scan the trees as we listened for sounds that could give away the predator's location - squirrel alarms or mobbing of birds.

Nothing.

We decided to just wait in the area the bird had been seen nearly every day. We waited and waited and waited.

Click to enlarge.

Finally, around 3:00 pm, one of the groundskeepers sighted the hawk - it had just made a kill - a squirrel.

Occupied with its meal, the hawk allowed us within a few yards, but we were hesitant to use a net for fear that the material would snag on the nail and do more harm.

Our plan was to use a bal-chatri - a trap designed especially to trap raptors - but in order for this to work, the bird must be hungry enough to be lured to the bait.

Clearly, the bird was not interested in anything but the squirrel. We called it a day.

Wednesday, one of our Bay Area responders, Mark Russell, monitored the area on and off throughout the day. It was Kate, though, who spotted the hawk again in the arboretum. She watched it successfully capture and consume a gopher.

Thursday, the bird was only observed once, when it was quickly chased off by an adult red-tailed hawk.

By this time, the story of the hawk had made it around the world and we were receiving numerous reports of sightings, some dating as far back as October 9th. We received a photo of an uninjured hawk, closely resembling the injured one - observed near Buena Vista Park in September.

These sightings provided information on the bird's history and its daily pattern, helping us build our search and capture plan.

Reported sightings of the injured hawk.

On Friday, we staked out the arboretum the entire day, heading home, feeling quite frustrated, at about 6:00 pm. The entire day we observed two adult red-taileds and a quick glimpse of two juveniles as they flew over the arboretum. At 6:45 pm we received a call that someone had spotted the hawk at 15th Avenue Steps Park around 6:15. It was observed hunting.

We were feeling pretty low, not to mention exhausted from the many hours on the road.

Saturday, we took our time making it into the city. We were about 10 minutes away when a call came in from someone at the Gardens - they had their eyes on the hawk!

One of our East Bay responders, Akira, had just arrived and we were just minutes away with the traps.

We caught up with the finder and others who were watching out for the bird - but it had flown off - they'd lost sight of it. As a group we began searching. All of a sudden, this fellow said something like "Are you looking for him?" - pointing at eye-level, only a few feet away...

There he was - perched in a small tree right next to the path.

We quickly escorted bystanders a good distance away and set out the bal-chatri. Within a few minutes the hawk landed on top of it, but failed to be entrapped. He flew back to one of the small trees.

We decided to deploy a second trap.

Photo: Katherine Ulrich

After about an hour of watching and waiting and shepherding park-goers from the area, the hawk landed near one of the traps. He was obviously hungry. Finally, he was caught! The crowd of onlookers cheered.

Photo: Katherine Ulrich

This video, below, was shot by someone at the park - it shows the actual capture. The capture and possession of wild birds is unlawful without federal and state permits.

Thanks to the many wonderful park visitors and Botanical Garden staff who helped us collect our gear and exit quickly, we were on the road and headed to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley in no time.

We arrived at the wildlife hospital at 6:35. Their medical team had stayed late to receive the bird.

We will keep you apprised of his condition with hope of returning him home when he has recovered.

A reminder, WildRescue is an all-volunteer organization - no salaried positions, no paid staff - all the 75-or-so man-hours it took to capture this hawk were all volunteer with no compensation whatsoever.

Injured Canada goose returns home

2011-10-22T08:50:00.001-07:00

In an earlier post we shared a story about a Canada goose that had its legs bound with fishing line. On October 21st, 7 days days after it was successfully captured, it was returned to its home and its mate.

Thanks to the expert medical team at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, the bird recovered from its injuries. Here is Deanna's account of the release:

The park was buzzing with people and dogs and remote controlled boats. It was not long before we spotted the group of waterfowl. We placed the crate near the water's edge. The goose was pounding so hard to get out of the carrier that he was bouncing it off the ground - it was pretty funny. Then, when we opened the door, he strutted out, like he owned the place, like "Here I am - did you miss me? Goose with attitude!

He walked to the edge and looked around as if to take it all in. The other geese swam up to the edge. When he jumped in the water there was no over-the-top reunion like I had hoped for, but the 4 of them did form a line as they had done before.

It was so refreshing to go from seeing him limp around and have to sit down every couple minutes, to seeing him strutting around freely. His leg looked fantastic! Having that opportunity to be apart of it from beginning to end was awesome. Wish they could all end so well.

I am including a photo of my daughter and me - a reminder of WHY this happened to the goose in the first place: fishermen not cleaning up their line!

We stayed for at least 30 minutes just walking and picking up errant line - it covered the ground, glistening in the setting sun. There was so much of it that the ground was "twinkling."

The woman who works there came out to say hello again and thanked me. She says she's regularly cleans up the line but just can't keep up with it. There are garbage cans everywhere, but I think signs would be a nice touch.

Super tired. Just finished cleaning out the carriers and my car, which now smells like a seabird pool. Gotta get some rest for my class tomorrow.

Deanna is one of our lead responders in the South Bay. She's attending an intensive 2-day wildlife rehabilitation class. Good luck, Deanna!!!!

Hook, line, sinker, and bobber...

2011-10-15T12:35:00.001-07:00

Thanks to our wildlife responder extraordinaire, Kelle, a gull that was found snagged in fishing tackle at Fort Point, under the Golden Gate Bridge, was successfully rescued Thursday evening. Gull 1580 is now undergoing treatment at WildCare in Marin. Way to go, KELLE!

In pursuit of a wild goose...

2011-10-15T12:30:00.001-07:00

It is one thing to set a trap to capture a group of flighted birds. It is tremendously challenging to capture an individual flighted bird. It takes a great deal of planning, patience, and steadfast determination.

A wild Canada goose with fishing line wrapped around both of its legs was discovered at a park near Watsonville, CA. It limped, but could still fly. Unfortunately, over two consecutive days, the bird was chased by untrained people with nets, thinking they were doing the right thing, but only making matters worse - making the bird fearful.

Deanna, one of WildRescue's lead responders took on the challenge. Here is her account:

On Friday, October 7^th, Day One of the "Wild Goose Chase", I met up with the finder, Matt, who had been kind enough to take notice of the injured goose and seek help. Matt was working with the bird as best he could, feeding it throughout the day, trying to gain its trust. Since the goose seemed comfortable with him, I let Matt continue to bait the bird while I crouched behind his frame with a net.

The injured goose immediately looked at me as though I was an intruder. He appeared very nervous and I knew if I swung the net and missed, we might never get a second chance.

There were several people nearby, some with small children running, and others walking dogs. This had all the birds on alert. I backed off and spent 30 minutes tossing grain and crackers until the entire flock was startled by a passerby and took to the lake for safety.

I went back the next day, an hour's drive from my home, and found four geese and an assorted group of waterfowl feeding near the shore, except for the injured one. Through binoculars I saw it resting on a floating structure in the lake, as if to taunt me. Matt, offered to keep watch and contact me if the goose came to shore.

No such luck. It was a beautiful weekend, which meant the park was bustling with visitors.

When I returned on Monday, all of the geese were resting on shore. I approached slowly and quietly along a fence, away from the geese, and looped around without them noticing (or so I thought). I set the hoop of my long-handled net behind two garbage cans, to keep it hidden, and then sat next to a picnic table near the geese.

I began baiting them in with grain, and was able to get the injured goose within a few feet of me. As I extended my arm for the net, I noticed that his eyes were fixed on the garbage cans as if he already knew the net was there. I had not fooled this goose and the slightest movement spooked him.

I scooted towards the goose on my knees, inch by inch, tossing grain with one hand and sliding the net along the ground behind me with the other. As soon as he was within arms reach I swung the net around and over him. By that time he had lifted off the ground. I had him partially inside the net but he was so fast and so incredibly strong that he tilted to the left and out of the net.

Tuesday marked my fourth visit to the park in pursuit of the injured goose. I arrived to find all of the geese swimming on the far side of the lake. I decided to give him a break and I need a mental break, too. Now that he'd been conditioned to fear the net, I needed to come back with an entirely different plan. Game on.

Friday marked one week. I arrived with a different strategy and determination - I was not leaving empty handed.

All of the geese were swimming close to shore. I collected my gear - scissors, camera, pillowcase, but no net. I sat down at a picnic table near the geese and ignored them.

I waited at least 45 minutes until, finally, they came ashore and began preening.

I waited for them to settle in and get comfortable before walking towards them slowly, tossing grain. They formed a semi-circle around my feet. Soon, the injured goose, tired of standing on one leg, sat down.

I slowly positioned myself behind and to the left of him (placing him to my right - my stronger side). I knelt down, continuing to toss tidbits. I could tell my positioning made him nervous. I distracted him with an extra-large portion of grain, tossed purposefully to his right, forcing him to turn slightly away from me. I told myself, “It’s now or never, and don't hesitate!"

I counted to 3 and sprang. Quickly uncoiling, I enveloped his body - my chest over him, ‘hugging’ him while I carefully folded in his powerful wings.

He was quite mad - and was hissing.

I carried him to the picnic table and managed his head and most of his body into the pillowcase, leaving his legs exposed. This reduced his visual stress, kept his wings folded, and allowed me to quickly snip the main line and perform a very quick assessment of his injuries. A bystander, John Benka, asked if he could help. (Thank you John!)

CLICK to enlarge.

My hope was to remove the line and release the goose back to his mate, which was now anxiously watching from the water's edge. Unfortunately, the line on the left leg had cut deeply into the flesh and the joint appeared inflamed. I placed the goose in a carrier and headed to the wildlife hospital.

During the drive I begin to question my actions. I was thrilled that, finally, after a week of this "game", I was able to catch the goose, and "won". But now, what will its fate be?

If I had cut the line and released him, would he have lived? He had been managing with a limp, he could fly and paddle, he was eating, and his mate was at his side.

Had it not been reported, had we not ‘rescued’ it, nature would have taken its course, and now I feel I've interrupted that. Was it for the better? What if it loses its foot?

In a rehabilitation setting, most birds that lose use of an appendage will be considered for euthanasia. This is not the decision of the wildlife hospital necessarily, but of the permitting agency under which it operates. In most cases, this is in the best interest of the bird - especially large-bodied birds that might suffer severe, secondary ailments as a result.

If they can't save the foot, will this goose be euthanized? Will all that time and effort to "save" him have been for nothing? I'll have captured him and simply driven him to death's door.

It's never black and white, though. Every situation is unique. As animal rescuers, we make a decision in the moment that we feel is the right one, often from a human-based perspective, not always considering the animal's. I just hope that this doesn't turn out to be a "lose-lose". I have a lot of respect for this goose, and I'd love nothing more than to see him back in the wild again. This has definitely been a journey on many levels.

GOOD NEWS!!! The goose is recovering at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley and is doing pretty well, according to caregivers. It's on anti-inflammatory medication. It's blood work looked good - no sign of infection. It will undergo further evaluation in the coming days. They say he or she is a real fighter - a very big and very angry goose.

If you'd like to contribute to the care of this particular goose - help the center pay for its medications, please click HERE.

Cargo ship strikes reef off New Zealand

2011-10-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

CLICK to enlarge

In the early hours of Wednesday, October 5th, as the Captain a 21-year old Liberian-flagged cargo ship, carrying hundreds of containers (many carrying toxic material) and loaded with half a million gallons of heavy fuel, ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef off New Zealand's Bay of Plenty coast, just 12 nautical miles from Tauranga. Click maps to enlarge.

New Zealand is facing its greatest marine environmental disaster. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil is said to have spilled from the stricken vessel, with an estimated 1,300 tons remaining onboard. Bad weather has delayed salvage efforts. In the meantime, the ship fractured nearly in two, and threatens to break apart.

Here is a LINK to an article that chronicles the event in a timeline.

More than 1,000 birds have been found dead; more than 100 are undergoing treatment. Massey University Wildlife Health Center is overseeing the care of oiled animals at a makeshift hospital at the Te Maunga wastewater treatment plant.

The oil poses a risk for many marine species. Of greatest concern is the impact it could have on the New Zealand dotterel, an endangered shorebird, with a population of only 1,200.

The wreck could not have happened at a worse time. As North America braces for winter, the Southern hemisphere is entering into its summer months and the peak of breeding season for thousands and thousands of marine animals.

With 86 seabird species breeding in its territorial waters, 38 of them endemic - New Zealand is known as the seabird capitol of the world.

Help arriving! Reportedly, more than 4,000 people have signed up to volunteer to help clean the beaches and experts from around the world are converging to assist with recovery and care of oiled wwldlife, among them, our colleagues from International Bird Rescue.

Another hazard of discarded line...

2011-10-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

This morning we responded to a call from the Moss Landing Harbormaster. They'd had a report of two cormorants hanging from an old abandoned pier. One was still alive.

We were on scene within thirty minutes, and were quickly escorted by boat to the platform.

As we got close, we could see the structure was being used by Brandt's cormorants as a nesting site - there were about twenty or so empty nests - rounded, shallow mounds of seaweed and grasses, covered in a thick layer guano.

Sadly, we found both birds were dead.

We discovered something really interesting, though. The birds' legs were tangled in fishing line, but the line was part of the material used to construct their nest!

After cutting the bodies free and removing the remainder of exposed line, we cut tangles of fishing line from nests within reach.

How sad - the parents can't tell the difference between soft, spongy clumps of seaweed or grasses and wads of errant fishing line.

A wad of fishing line mistaken for a clump of dried sea grass.

'Tis the season...

2011-10-01T07:45:00.001-07:00

This week, we received a number of calls about wild animal 'invasions'. People were calling, upset that patches of their lawn were upturned, concerned about seeing a raccoon in their tree, upset by a coyote trotting through their neighborhood in broad daylight.

'Tis the season.

This is the time when the young of the year begin to disperse, striking out on their own, heading off for new territory. Lacking experience, they may appear less fearful of cars and humans than one might expect.

This is also the lean time for wildlife. Creeks have disappeared, the soil has turned dry, and food is scarce for many. Thirst and hunger will drive animals from their wild habitat into urban environments where they might find water and a meal. It’s all about survival.

What people can do to protect their property and keep safe:

1) Be much more cautious about letting small pets outside and unattended - we see a heightened take by coyotes this time of year.

2) Make a few ‘penny-cans’ (aluminum cans filled with a few pennies) and use them to scare off unwanted wildlife.

3) Use Critter Ridder to help deter animals from digging up lawns/flowerbeds. Works on gophers, too!

4) Inspect your home for access points, where animals can enter crawlspaces. If you find a hole, don’t just seal it up - you will entomb whatever is living inside.

For help, no matter where you live, call:

1-866-WILD-911

We offer affordable, humane, non-lethal solutions that work!

Imagine...

2011-09-26T11:28:00.001-07:00

...a 24-hour wildlife medic and animal ambulance service for the Bay Area. There is nothing like it - and it is very, very much needed!

The expertise necessary to handle emergencies involving injured and distressed wild animals differs greatly from the skills needed for handling dogs and cats.

To correctly identify and assess a wild animal's condition, to capture and house it without causing the animal more harm, to provide it with emergency aid - this takes extensive training and experience.

What if it's a healthy baby wild bird and needs to reunited with its family? This, too, requires advanced training and skill, and it can take hours, even days to accomplish.

There are a number of wildlife hospitals in and around the Bay Area, yet few send rescuers into the field on a regular basis. Animal shelters provide pick-up services as they can, but impounded wildlife must then endure a second journey to an appropriate wildlife center for treatment.

Help us provide San Francisco with a wildlife medic and animal ambulance service beginning March 2012 - it's time.

Make a donation towards the Bay Area animal ambulance HERE.

Save the date - December 3rd, 2 pm - for our gala fundraiser at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Click HERE for more information.

Saga of the Glendale Coyotes

2011-09-13T11:51:00.001-07:00

We just got off the phone with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commission and they have indicated that, at this time, the coyotes do not present a threat to the community and the agency WILL NOT be taking action - WILL NOT be setting traps to eradicate the animals.

A group of coyotes had been seen in the backyard of a vacant, burned out home on Brockmont Drive near Los Angeles, where Brockman Canyon, part of the wilderness of the Verdugo Mountains, descends into the City of Glendale.

Without concrete evidence of a den (which to our knowledge has yet to be discovered), we believe the coyotes are being observed as they frequent the site, but they are not residing there.

In all likelihood, they are being drawn to the abandoned property by the smell and activity of rodents and the scattered refuse. It is also appears as though neighboring residents have not employed aversion tactics to drive the animals away. This is key when dealing with large predators.

What we want residents to understand is that coyotes and other wild animals will always be a part of their community and they must learn to co-exist - to safely and soundly live amongst their wild neighbors. This is absolutely possible, and we are here to help.

For those experiencing problems with coyote, mountain lion, or bobcat, we offer FREE consulting to encourage non-lethal methods of resolving conflicts with large predators. Our Humane Wildlife Management program can be reached by calling 1-866-WILD-911 (866-945-3911).

We also want to acknowledge the Mayor of Glendale, Laura Friedman, who indicates she is in favor of non-lethal action in most cases. Letters supporting her position can be emailed to her by clicking HERE.

WildRescue is committed to being at the ready to organize and lead opposition to unwarranted lethal control of coyotes in California. If you'd like to donate specifically to this cause, to hep cover travel expenses and educational materials when needed, we've set up a separate donation account, HERE. Thank you!

White-Tailed Kite Reunion

2011-09-05T13:27:00.001-07:00

T.Llovet/flythebirdpath 2010

If you have ever seen a large gray and white bird in flight but stationary, fluttering like a moth - that is likely a kite. On the West coast of the U.S., it would be a white-tailed kite, (formerly black-shouldered kite).

Nearly a week ago, on the edge of Stanford University, a young kite was found grounded, being harassed by a domestic cat. The bird was admitted to Peninsula Humane Society's wildlife hospital where our Bay Area Team leader, Patrick, evaluated its condition.

Even though the fledgling had quite a few of its baby-feathers emerging, he was in very good shape and feisty - a good candidate for reuniting.

Wild animals stand a better chance of surviving as adults if they are raised by their wild parents. Whenever possible, a healthy wild animal should be reunited with its family unit - it is not just an option, it is a must.

If raised by humans in a captive environment, even at the finest wildlife facility, young animals miss out on learning valuable skills and key information about their home territory and single animals miss the opportunity to socialize and bond with wild sibling.

T.Llovet/flythebirdpath 2010

Young white-taileds are known to socialize with their siblings many months after leaving the nest. More importantly, they receive schooling from their parents for weeks after they fledge, fine-tuning the characteristic hover-and-dive hinting technique necessary for their survival. With luck, they will make their first kill one month after learning to fly.

After a few days in rehabilitative care, the kite was taken home. Patrick used a bucket to hoist the bird up to a high branch in the bird’s home tree where he was left to reunite with the rest of his family. His parents could be heard calling.

We will post updates as we receive them.

Once, white tailed kites were widespread over much of California’s grasslands… until they were covered with concrete and steel… It was thought that habitat loss contributed to their decline in the 1930s, when the species neared extinction. Protection from shooting and rodent-rich agricultural fields may have helped the species recover, but like so many other species they are not out of the woods - or are they?

This particular family of white-tailed kites has historically nested in the treetops above a bustling campus, successfully raising one or two broods a year. Perhaps the species is adapting to living in close proximity to humans.

MANY THANKS TO PATRICK AND
THE PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY!!!

Darted ducks in Santa Clara

2011-09-03T11:10:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, August 31^st, WildRescue assumed the lead in efforts to rescue ducks that had been found shot with illegal blowgun darts near an apartment complex in Santa Clara. According to property managers, there were 4, possibly even 5 different ducks found shot recently.

One duck, recovered by property managers on August 25^th, the week before, had been shot 5 times. It died from its injuries after being pulled from the water. Santa Clara Animal Control has since launched an investigation into these acts of animal cruelty.

Meanwhile, WildRescue’s volunteer responders began developing a capture plan, one that avoided use of a net or netting, as this could get tangled on the dart and cause further injury to the bird’s face.

When our rescue team arrived on scene, they found the duck to be extremely skittish of their equipment. They found out that it been heavily pursued by well intentioned people with nets for two days prior. The plan, then, was to get the bird comfortable with the capture gear over the next couple of days.

Once captured, the duck would be transported to Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley for care. The darts would be handed over to the Santa Clara Police.

Not only is this a case of animal cruelty, but blowguns are illegal in California. Under California Penal Code Section 12582, anyone found in possession of a blowgun or blowgun ammunition is guilty of a misdemeanor. Since this crime involves a wild bird, the person responsible could face federal charges under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as well as waterfowl violations under state game regulations.

At around 10:00 am on Friday, a rogue animal rescuer from the San Jose area showed up at the apartment complex and used the facility's large salmon net to go after the injured duck, claiming she was trained and permitted to do so.

She did end up capturing the darted animal, along with another duck - two panicking heavy-bodied and powerful birds in one net together - one with a barb through its face!

As predicted, the dart became entangled in the mesh and was jerked out during the capture.

View more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.

Read the article HERE.

The good news is that the bird is in the hands of experts at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley and being treated. We recognize the citizen was acting on good intentions, however, this reckless act could have ended tragically, and we caution the public to not take things into their own hands when it comes to injured wild animals, but to call upon authorities first.

Inasmuch as we rely on the proficiency of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) responders to treat human accident victims, so must we understand there are as valuable skills and training required of those who respond to injured wildlife.

As for the investigation into whom darted the birds, thanks to a very generous pledge from one of our supporters, WildRescue is able to offer a 5,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Sightings of additional darted animals or other information can be reported HERE. Anyone with information on the crime is urged to contact the Santa Clara Police at 408-615-4816 or leave an anonymous tip at www.svcrimestoppers.org.

Canada goose in Richmond - rescued!

2011-08-31T14:34:00.001-07:00

Today, bright and early, East Bay WildRescue responder, Lisa, gave up her birthday morning to help, Chester, an injured Canada goose that had eluded capturers for over a week. It was a success! BRAVO!!!!

Many, many thanks to our rescue team members Winnie and Lisa who put a lot of energy into his rescue, and to Sandra and Alan for kindly alerting us of his condition.

Sea lion rescued by TMMC at Elkhorn Slough Reserve

2011-08-27T14:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday evening, our colleagues from The Marine Mammal Center, Monterey Bay Operations, performed a flawless rescue of a sickly California Sea lion at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Check out the video:

For more on The Marine Mammal Center, see their website.

Crafting For Barn Owls

2011-08-27T10:20:00.001-07:00

The latest Crafting For Wildlife event, held on August 20th in San Francisco, was a tremendous success. SF Bay Area team leaders, Max and Patrick, guided participants in building barn owl nest boxes to be placed in and around the Bay Area.

Urban Ore, in Berkeley, and the Home Depot contributed towards this event! THANK YOU!!!

Next month's Crafting event will center around aquatic birds and their special needs. Crafters will be guided in making "booties", "donuts", and net-bottoms for cages to be distributed among local wildlife rehabilitation groups. In celebration of Halloween, October's event will involve crafting of ghillie suits for our capture teams.

SKUNK RESCUED FROM STORM DRAIN!

2011-08-20T21:32:00.001-07:00

If it hadn't been for two observant and caring 10-year olds and their kindhearted parents, a striped skunk would still be trapped at the bottom of a storm drain catch basin for another night. Apparently, he'd been there for days with no one to help. Finally, WildRescue was alerted.

Our Search and Rescue team responded towards evening to free the nocturnal creature.

When they arrived, he was curled up, sleeping in the corner of a deep basin at the end of 14th Ave. in Santa Cruz, at the Twin Lakes State Park entrance. Fruit and nuts were scattered about - obviously people had been tossing him food.

The 6' deep cement-walled basin consisted of two drain pipes leading in, with a drop of about 2' to the floor. Once inside, there is no way for a small animal to get out. Imagine how many animals get trapped in these basins and are never found.

Using a long-handled hoop net, the adult skunk was delicately lifted to freedom and released near some shrubs about 20 yards away. It never sprayed. Check out the exciting video below.

NEW! WindowAlert Decals

2011-08-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

We have just added WindowAlert decals to our line of merchandise. These decals reflect ultraviolet. Invisible to humans, the reflection is seen as a brilliant glow to birds, helping to stop window strikes, a leading cause of injury and death in wild birds.

Decorate your windows with butterflies or autumn maple leaves - $6.25 for a set of 4.

Order yours today!

Will justice be served? At least it's on the plate!

2011-08-17T07:18:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy Valley Wildlife Care

We received a call this week from Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, keeping us in the loop about an incident we helped bring attention to back in May. It was very welcomed news! Apparently there is still ongoing inquiry into the situation involving juveniles who reportedly stomped on a nest of house finches at Patrick Henry Middle School in Granada Hills. Here's the story from the Daily News. We will post updates as we can.

Dan to the rescue!

2011-08-15T08:12:00.001-07:00

The last glimpse.

One of our newer rescuers had the delightful experience of releasing a trapped skunk from a humane trap in Carmel Valley. The trap had been set to capture a feral kitten. The problem is, when humane traps are left set overnight, the nocturnal animals are lured in.

Fantastic job - well done Dan!!!!

Of pelicans and fishing...

2011-08-13T12:09:00.001-07:00

Over the last week or so, numerous pelicans have been found in the Monterey Bay area - tangled in fishing line, snagged by hooks, wet, and needing help. So many, it's been hard for rescuers to keep up.

We have witnessed such high numbers of fishing line entanglements before when baitfish schooled close to shore. Check out this VIDEO shot in August, 2008. Back then, WildRescue and International Bird Rescue were instrumental in getting pier fishing temporarily banned to reduce the number of pelicans being injured, as this ABC News coverage explains:

One of the pelicans rescued.

This time, though, it seems related to the bass, rockfish and salmon that are delighting fishermen and tourists - possibly just the shear number of people enjoying the sport...

In response to the reported increase in injured pelicans, WildRescue has been canvassing the area for injured birds, rescuing 4 from Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey last Tuesday.

Foam in the water at Fisherman's Wharf.

We're also finding pelicans that are wet with fish 'oil' or something similar - possibly related to this foam in the water that seems to come from the processing of large catches of fish and squid.

In addition to these ailments, we are seeing many 'hatch year' pelicans - this year's young - up and down the coast. Many are healthy, but others are having a tough go at surviving. Getting hooked or wet only makes it harder on these guys.

Subscribe to our Sunday WIld Bytes for exclusive video

of our Wildlife Search and Rescue Team in action!

Tangled mama opossum SAVED!

2011-08-08T17:38:00.001-07:00

Today, WildRescue's Sammarye responded to a call in Scotts Valley about an opossum that had been laying in one spot for at least a day. Surprisingly, the animal was stuck - she had managed to get tangled in English ivy and Silver lace vines, some strands so small and tough, it almost looked like fishing line.

Using scissors, Sammarye carefully and painstakingly cut away the debris, untangling the animal's chest and midsection.

The poor opossum at my house not only had at least two strands of vine wrapped around its body, it also had managed to get her fur twirled in the the vine as well. I think she must have twirled around trying to get out or reach what was holding her back....making the situation worse.

Free at last the mother opossum and her ten-or-so wriggling joeys - none the worse for wear - were crated and taken to NAR, in Santa Cruz, to be treated for dehydration. Once the opossum is ready to be released she will be taken back home.

Baby opossums nursing, oblivious to the goings-on.

Helping Los Angeles wildlife

2011-08-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

Our offer to help Los Angeles wildlife was mentioned in a recent news article about the ongoing audit of firearms at Los Angeles city animal shelters. The weapons are reportedly used to dispatch wild animals.

Rebecca Dmytryk, founder and Co-Director of WildRescue, recently entered into a dialogue with Brenda Barnette, General Manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, on an idea that could save the agency money, as well as spare the lives of many wild animals - a win-win proposal.

Dmytryk has decades of experience dealing with LA Animal Services' policies - not all good when it comes to wildlife, citing numerous instances where wild animals were impounded by the shelter only to die or be euthanized because they made no means to transfer animals to local wildlife rehabilitators. She also notes how lack of appropriate equipment and training, specific to wildlife, can result in an animal's death. Here's a quote from her book entitled WIldlife Search and Rescue, due out in late December:

The rescue of wild animals requires a unique set of skills, considerably different from those used in handling domestic animals. How the animal is handled and the quality of care it receives can mean life or death. Even if the animal is not critically wounded, inadequate housing, mishandling, and improper food can be fatal.

Dmytryk is offering to help the City by providing ongoing training courses for its officers as well as a dedicated wildlife hotline, similar to the one she launched in 2007 that serves the entire state of California - 1-866-WILD-911. The automated system helps connect callers with the nearest wildlife rehabilitator specializing in the species they've encountered. It also provides emergency instructions and educational tutorials. This way of 'filtering' calls could save Los Angeles thousands of man-hours and the lives of countless animals, according to Dmytryk.

Crafting For Wildlife!

2011-07-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

Today, San Francisco Bay Area Team Leaders, Max and Patrick, hosted the first Crafting For Wildlife event - a program to help local rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Participants helped make surrogate 'moms' for orphan wild babies. Used stuffed toy animals were fitted with zippered bellies to hold warm fluid bags.

The 15 plush surrogates will be distributed among Bay Area wildlife hospitals to help the animals in care.

Nest month's Crafting For Wildlife will be in San Francisco, on August 20th, where participants will be guided on constructing barn owl nest-boxes.

Be sure to RSVP with Max, and keep posted on Facebook.

Click here to support Crafting For Wildlife with a small donation for supplies. Thank you!

JOBS AND POSITIONS

2011-07-30T12:23:00.001-07:00

Seamstress: Looking for someone to help create a prototype. Pretty simple pattern. Will pay for all materials. In case the idea goes over well, we will need someone with the space in which to operate a number of machines and manage a couple of helpers. At that point this would be a paid position. Prefer local (Monterey / SF Bay Area) but not required.

Assistant Event Organizer: We're planning a fundraising event in San Francisco for early December. Our The Year In Rescues - probably at Fort Mason. We're looking for a couple of folks to join our committee to help pull it off. Tasks shall include collecting items for the silent auction, working with vendors, organizing volunteers for the evening. This is a volunteer position.

Media Relations Assistant: Looking for someone who wants to help us out from time to time. Must be able to drop everything on a moment's notice to write a press release and contact media about breaking news. Sharp, charming, yet authoritative personality, plus excellent writing skills - imperative. This is a volunteer position.

EBAY Auction Site Manager: We are in need of someone to oversee our eBay auction - to keep things listed and to procure more items, such as gift certificates, etc. Work from home. This will start out as a volunteer position with the possibility of becoming a paid position.

JOB/POSITION INFO - CONTACT: rebecca (at) wildrescue (dot) org

Attacks on coyotes...

2011-07-29T18:28:00.001-07:00

This week, the City of Laguna Woods, CA, voted to allow the shooting of coyotes, claiming they have become more bold. WildRescue's Director, Rebecca Dmytryk, comments on the news:

IT IS NOT THAT COYOTES HAVE GOTTEN BOLDER, HUMANS HAVE GOTTEN STUPIDER

So many people have grown out of touch with nature - they've forgotten that they are animals living among other animals.

There is natural law and order, but humans don't play by the rules, and that gets them in trouble.

Unfortunately, there is nothing odd about a coyote snatching a pet, even off of a leash. These accounts are on the rise, but it is NOT because the coyotes are growing bolder - it’s nothing that can be culled from a population, because it is a learned behavior - taught to them by humans.

People, through their lack of understanding about nature and coyotes, have 'trained' the wild dogs to be comfortable around humans. Therefore, until people learn to teach the coyotes to fear them again, which is their instinct, these incidents will go on and on and on and on, no matter how many coyotes are slaughtered.

Coyotes preying on pets is a symptom, not the problem. Extermination of coyotes does not address the problem - the problem is human behavior.

When I receive a call about a loitering coyote, I ask "When you see the coyote, what's your reaction - what do you do?" The typical answer is, nothing - they say that they just look at it, or they go back inside their house - nothing that says to the coyote they had better scram!

For there to be change within the coyote population, there must be change in the behavior of the human population. Every encounter a coyote has with a human must be a negative one. For example, having a ‘penny-can’ thrown at them, being chased down, feeling the sting of a paint ball - there are numerous aversion tactics that will work - but it is work, and requires the commitment of a town's citizens.

Trapping and killing coyotes is a cop out. It is a waste of money, and a crime against nature.

Rebecca Dmytryk

Golden Eagle Rescue

2011-07-24T10:29:00.001-07:00

When Norm first noticed the injured golden eagle on his property, he began looking for help. He called everywhere he could think of. Some places told him they'd treat the bird if he could get it to them - easier said than done for a man in is 80s, even as fit as he is. Other's told Norm to let nature takes its course - to leave it be. No one would come to his aid for the animal.

On the private estate located in the rugged wilderness off Highway 152 in Gilroy, the majestic bird traveled between a stand of oak trees and a gulch of monkey flower and sagebrush, remaining close to where it had fallen - underneath a mass of high-voltage power lines - probably the cause of its damaged wing. Researchers suggest that power line casualties, in California alone, may be as high as 4.6 million birds per year as they are somewhat invisible to birds. Read more, HERE.

Over the nest week or so, Norm helped keep the bird alive by tossing it rats, mice, and chicken when he had it.

Finally, WildRescue received word of the eagle and immediately went into action. Here is their account of the rescue:

We arrived mid-morning. The fog had lifted, it was sunny and getting warm.

The bird was down slope, in the gulch. When it saw us, it tried to escape, but couldn't get airborne - instead, it went under, disappearing into thick brush.

We split the team in two - one group stayed high, as spotters. The other group, (Deanna, Amir, and i) used an old dirt PGE access road to get directly below where the bird was last observed.

We spread out and began our ascent through the coastal sagebrush in a V-formation - the search pattern we typically use in rescues.

With no sign of the eagle, Amir went higher to try and flush the bird, but, again, no luck - the bird was not where we'd thought. Deanna and i began to close in, working toward Amir's position. We believed it had tunneled into a thicket of Western bracken fern.

Suddenly, and VERY much to my surprise, the eagle sprang from the foliage no more than 8' above me, talons outstretched, wings spread to near 6' and i recall a nanosecond of direct and piercing eye contact. I instinctively dodged left, feathers and talons shot off to the right. The bird began disappearing under the brush again, but i managed to get hold of its uninjured wrist and then its good shoulder, and then, with gloved hands, i gained control of the eagle's talons.

Deanna and Amir were quick to help get the bird's head and wings contained in a lightweight pillow case where it would be calmer and easier to manage as we made it out of the ravine.

Back at the vehicle the bird was placed into a large dog carrier, covered, and placed into an air-conditioned van for transport to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. ~ Rebecca

On arrival, the bird was quickly examined by the Center's wildlife clinician. The eagle, weighing in at 7 pounds, was thin and dehydrated, but very alert. It had suffered a dislocation of its shoulder, again, very likely due to the transmission lines. Radiographs will be taken today, but the prognosis is not good. The animal was given fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication. We will update this entry as we receive word of the bird's condition.

Many, many, many thanks to Norm, Amir, and Julie for their determination in finding help for this bird. Also, we are very grateful for the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley for their efforts. You can visit them online at WCSV.

Watch video of the rescue, HERE.

UPDATE: 8-1-2011

Sad news to report: This morning, in preparation for surgery, detailed radiographs revealed the bones of the wing could not be repaired, as once thought, and the eagle was allowed to pass on. Thank you - everyone who rallied for this bird and WCSV's efforts to see it fly free again.

What we need to take away from this tragedy is that it could have had a very different ending had the bird been rescued sooner. It was a week before we got word, despite the finder's numerous calls, looking for help. We must make sure these places know that we are reachable 24/7.

Hooked gull...

2011-07-22T17:00:00.001-07:00

WildRescue received a call about a gull with a fishing hook embedded in its mouth at Lake Merritt in Oakland. The San Francisco Bay Area Team was quick to respond. The gull was quickly captured and given a cursory exam before being transported to International Bird Rescue, in Fairfield, for rehabilitative care.

A rabid bat...

2011-07-22T15:48:00.001-07:00

...does not a rabid colony make!

In a suburban neighborhood of Spanish-tiled houses nestled at the base of Big Mountain in Moorpark, CA, a population of small bats also calls this place home.

They are California Myotis. About 2” inches long with light brown fur and dark-colored wings. These flighted mammals can live up tor 40 years in complex societies where they maintain extremely close bonds. In addition to being highly intelligent, bats are extremely gentle, and beneficial to humans. Small bats like these can catch and consume 600 mosquitoes (and other flying insects) in an hour.

In recent weeks, a few of these bats have been found 'grounded', and of those (grounded) bats, a number of them have tested positive for rabies.

A grounded bat testing positive for rabies, while it is not very common (typically, 95% of all grounded bats test negative for rabies) it's not unheard of, either. Possible reasons for the increased number of rabid bats, is 1) it's still ‘pupping’ season, and juvenile bats are more susceptible to the disease and 2) rabies cases typically spike during summer months, with high temperatures, and during periods of drought.

Most importantly, though, these findings do not mean that the entire colony is rabid.

A bat pup from the colony.
Photo courtesy of Miriam Quintaro.

A rabid bat will leave its home to die alone. This is probably why there has never been an outbreak of rabies in a colony in all recorded history.

A number of homes in this particular neighborhood have bats living under the tiles. Unfortunately, the Ventura County Health Department ordered one roost destroyed - the homeowner was delivered a 24-hour notice. Facing fines or jail time the homeowner complied.

Steve Balderama, a wildlife trapper, was hired for $1,000.00. He blocked holes with foam, screened off other entrances, and set a funnel and small wire box to supposedly trap all the adult bats as they left to feed at night.

After the contraption was installed, the owner was told it would be an additional fee to retrieve any trapped bats. Does this mean the trapper was not going to check his trap in 24-hours and remove any trapped bats? That would be a violation of his trapping permit.

Friday, WildRescue joined the efforts of local wildlife rehabilitators, inviting the help of bat expert, Amamda Lollar (Bat World Sanctuary), in helping them solve the neighborhood bat problems, safely and soundly.

If steps are taken to evict or eradicate the bats, now, it will likely cause huge problems for people living in the vicinity by increasing the number of grounded bats.

If the adult bats are removed, the pups in the nursery will starve. As the pups become hungry, they will crawl or try to fly from the roost. This means the neighborhood could be inundated with starving juvenile bats that children and pets might come into contact with. Those that die up under the tiles will start to rot, potentially causing an additional health hazard.

Even if the bats are humanely excluded, now, the mother bats would exhaust themselves trying to get back to their young, eventually ending up weak and grounded. Doing anything, now, is a bad idea.

According to bat experts and wildlife exclusion specialists, homeowners should wait a few more weeks until the bat pups are able to fly, then humanely evict the entire colony from their roost sites.

It would be nice to see the bats have some where to go, perhaps bat houses mounted nearby, in the adjacent vacant land, where this beneficial population can go on providing insect control to the area without posing a nuisance or risk to nearby human residents.

WildRescue and Bat World Sanctuary will, again, try reaching out to the Ventura County Public Health and City of Moorpark on Monday with advice on safe alternatives to remedying this situation.

IN THE NEWS

Read the Los Angeles County Public Health Advisory
that states that most bats do not have rabies.

UPDATE: So far, the trapper's contraption has failed - yet there are fewer bats being observed. The raucous appears to have driven many of the bats from the home.

Pelican rescue at Elkhorn Slough

2011-07-21T18:30:00.001-07:00

WildRescue responder, Ron Eby, who works on the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, sighted a brown pelican on shore near Hummingbird Island. It was very quiet and moved slowly. On closer inspection he found it had a hook embedded in its wing.

The bird was transferred to Monterey SPCA and, when stable, will be driven to International Bird Rescue for a full recovery.

Red-Tailed Hawk Re-nested

2011-07-16T15:01:00.001-07:00

A juvenile red-tailed hawk was given a second chance to be raised wild by its parents after being found grounded at Crystal Springs Golf Course over a week ago.

Dress rehearsal!

Patrick Hogan, who works as a wildlife rehabilitator at Peninsula Humane Society, where the bird was admitted for care, built an artificial nest, taking direction from expert re-nester Anne Miller, founder of the Alabama Wildlife Center. The nest provides the young bird a sturdy place to finish developing, with enough cover for it to be protected from predators.

Thanks to arborists, Christopher Altman, owner of Trees Company (link to his great blog), for attaching the new nest in the tree, and James Reed for climbing up and placing the baby in its new home. This reunion would not have been possible without their generous help!

The young bird was watched for some time after being placed. An adult - one of the parents, landed in an adjacent tree. The young hawk began calling out. Reports have been coming in that all seems well. The bird's progress will be monitored.

Good News!

2011-07-10T11:49:00.001-07:00

A Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill follow up by Patrick Hogan:

I just received word that back in January, 2011 a brown pelican was spotted in Port Isabel, Texas, with a pink band on its leg - a post-release identifying marker from the Deepwater Horizon Spill, number C-97.

To anyone else that band number may not have any significance, but to those of us who spent our summer months in the heat of Louisiana, working long hours to rescue, clean and rehabilitate oiled birds, it means everything.

As a rule we do not name our wild patients, however, BRPE-C-97, was known by a select few as "Micro-Baby", the smallest (and unforgettably cutest) of the young pelicans received during the spill.

It was just about a year ago that this baby pelican was recovered from one of the nesting colonies off Grande Isle, LA. On admission to the Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Center, he was found to have a fracture to one of his wings. His wings were so small and fragile that a popsicle stick was the only thing suitable to stabilize the break with.

For almost a week, the baby pelican was kept in the Center's stabilization area and hand fed, as he was too young to self-feed. He was then carefully washed to remove the oil and soon graduated to an outdoor enclosure.

Very quickly, this baby pelican was winning the admiration of everyone for cute, friendly and peculiar behavior. This is when he became affectionately known as "Micro-baby".

Micro-baby required hand-feeding for a couple of weeks. Everyone was eager to be the person feeding.

Unfortunately, through such close contact with multiple caregivers, his 'friendly' behavior continued and soon became a concern.

Micro was put on 'Staff Only' feedings, with a focus on getting him to self-feed. He should be eating on his own and associating with pelicans more than humans.

As the weeks went on, Micro-baby began to self-feed, but had yet to start socializing with pelicans; he maintained an obvious 'happy' reaction when a human entered the aviary to feed or clean.

Soon, the talk of Micro became very serious. A decision had to be made. Was he imprinted or habituated, and if so, was it reversible? If not, there were only 2 options - neither was good. Micro would either be euthanized or placed in a captive environment for the rest of his life.

For many wildlife rehabilitators, zoos are looked on unfavorably. In zoos, while animals may be provided basic necessities, like food, shelter, and water - which can make people feel like the animal is getting what it needs, wild animals are not able to live free and wild as they are meant to, and as they deserve. Instead they are on display where they are viewed and essentially harassed by humans all day. Placing a wild animal into a zoo may be a life-sparing decision, it condemns an animal to lifelong imprisonment, which in turn may be worse. Read more about the reality of life behind bars in Thought to Exist in the Wild: Awakening from the Nightmare of Zoos, by Derrick Jensen. Also, check out this wonderful piece, Quality of Life, by wildlife rehabilitator, Kay McKeever, (for $1.00 through NWRA).

Being that Micro was headed down a 'bad road' either way, we came up with a plan to reverse his behavior. "Scary Human", was to be done 3 times a day. This consisted of Staff pursuing Micro around in his aviary, often capturing him and gently tossing it into the pool. This 'treatment' would go on for a minute or two until Micro would try hard to escape.

It felt horrible each time we had to do this procedure. We always walked away with a 'dirty feeling', as we had just scared, molested and horrified a poor baby pelican. But, we know this counter-intuitive measure was Micro's only chance to to live wild.

After a few weeks of Scary Human, Micro changed - he was quick to evade humans when they entered his enclosure and he stopped making his usual 'Happy To See You' begging calls.

Behavior evaluations were implemented in succeeding weeks and finally the decision was made to release him along with the rest of the pelicans in his aviary on October 6th, 2010. You cannot believe the relief we felt knowing he'd be given the chance for freedom.

First flight!

BRPE-C-97 was very lucky. He had been in the care of skilled rehabilitators who knew that no matter how cute and precious, a wild animal's only chance for freedom is ONLY if they are kept wild. If they become at all attached to people, their chances of survival can be slim to none.

Oiled wildlife search and rescue efforts

2011-07-06T07:52:00.001-07:00

Duane Titus, co-director of WildRescue, is part of a team of experts from International Bird Rescue responding to the Yellowstone River Pipeline Spill in Montana. Due to the flooding, it could be weeks before they are able to access certain areas and fully assess the potential damage to wildlife in the area. Read more about it in this article in the Billings Gazette.

More recent news coverage HERE.

A Day At The Fair

2011-06-27T18:12:00.001-07:00

Last week, we received a call from Alameda County Fairgrounds - they were referred to us by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which, by itself, is really wonderful.

It turns out that a family of barn owls had taken up residency in the racetrack camera room - a good-sized room set very, very high on a tower overlooking the racetrack.

It is unlawful for anyone to possess wild birds or disturb their nests without special authorization from FWS. WildRescue holds two such permits.

The first step was to locate an appropriate spot for the new nest-box. Next, the box needed to be built and mounted. Through email exchanges with their Maintenance Department - having them send images of the surrounding trees, we were able to pinpoint an ideal spot. Debe did a great job getting the pics.

We then sent our special barn owl nest-box design.

In just a couple days, Howard and Gary had built a beautiful box and had it secured to the tree, perfectly. It was ready to be occupied.

Today, wildlife technicians Duane and Max set out to move the owlets into their new home. Up the tower they went.

The somewhat older owlets were really active and had lots of places to hide. It took a bit of doing to collect all three.

Finally, all three had been safely collected, and with the help of Gary, on the lift, the babies were escorted down...

...and then back up again to their new home.

Much to everyone's surprise, one of the parents flushed from the tree, just from the other side of the box.

Duane placed some dead mice inside in case they get hungry or should the parents not feed right away. We get our mice from Layne Labs - where rodents have their own Bill of Rights!

In, went baby Number One!

Tonight, volunteer, Akira, will be on stakeout to see that the parents make a 'food drop' or enter the box.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE!

Watch the video here!

UPDATE 6-30-2011

Max visited the nest box to look in on the owlets. Surprisingly she only found one baby inside. He looked in excellent shape though - bright, alert, and very angry. There was a good deal of fresh excrement and many pellets, leading us to conclude that the babies were being fed. Max left a handful of mice just in case.

We are also so grateful to Akira, one of our newer volunteers, for his dedication and expert observational skills. He went out two nights to the fairgrounds to look for the owlets, to see if the parents were feeding them. Last night he found that at least two owlets were calling from the tree - he saw one come out of the box around 9:30 and begin making begging calls. He also spotted the parents. Here is a snippet of his report:

In the meantime, while the "zeeee" calls were being heard constantly, two adult barn owls started circling overhead. (They were clearly lit up from underneath by the lights of the fairgrounds; it was a beautiful sight.) At least one of the adult owls started to make high-pitched "pi, pi, pi, pi, pi, pi, pi..." type continuous call. This "pi, pi, pi, pi ...." call may have lasted 10 to 30 seconds at a time. And it was repeatedly heard from about 9:35 p.m. to 9:50 p.m., coinciding with the period when "zeeeeee" calls were being made, presumably by the owlets. I also heard the owl "screech" 2 or 3 times, but that was not a major component of the vocalization heard.

A big Thank You! to Max and Akira - these followup visits are so important!

UPDATE 7-7-2011

Max reports that last night she heard and observed the three fledglings in the 'home-tree' begging, and two adults flying in and out!

Foster City: young Cooper's hawk re-nested

2011-06-25T20:58:00.001-07:00

Once again, Patrick Hogan (wildlife rehabilitator by day - Wildlife Medic for WildRescue on his off-hours) engineered the re-nesting of a young raptor - this time, it took the help of the Foster City Fire Department!

A young Cooper's hawk was admitted to Peninsula Humane Society after being found grounded - healthy, just not old enough to fly.

By late afternoon Patrick was out scouting for the nest, skulking around the family apartment complex, wearing all-black, peering into the trees with his binoculars (lucky he wasn't arrested).

He caught a glimpse of one of the parents as it navigated through the canopy. The rounded tail confirmed it to be a Cooper's hawk. He also located the nest... very, very high up. Reaching it would require a very, very tall ladder.

Indeed!

Thankfully, the local Foster City Fire Department was more than happy to help when their scheduled cleared.

Raptors go through a stage of development where they can be referred to as 'branchers' - it's after they become restless in the nest and before they take their first flight - where they start to explore their treetop hop - hence the name.

This particular hawk was nearly a 'brancher', but not quite. According to colleague, friend, and re-nesting expert, Anne Miller, founder of Alabama Wildlife Center, we should try to get him as close to the nest as possible, if not in the nest.

Success, the little hawk was placed safely into its nest. Minutes after the fire crew left, Patrick witnessed one of the parents fly in and begin feeding its baby.

THANK YOU FOSTER CITY FIRE!!!!

Barn owls, barn owls, barn owls...

2011-06-25T10:57:00.001-07:00

You guessed it - another re-nesting!

This is what was left after the owl box
fell apart: a mound of owl pellets
excrement, and what not.

This successful reunion of 2 owlets in Palo Alto spanned three days and took a 'village' of caring and dedicated people.

It started out when the decades-old (and well-used) nest-box gave way.

The baby owls were recovered, unharmed, by Officer Cushman from Palo Alto Animal Services.

The owlets were taken to nearby WIldlife Rescue, a wildlife hospital managed by the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS), where they were examined and treated for mild dehydration. Since they were otherwise very healthy, they could be returned home...

...except their old home was in pieces.

That's when the folks at the Palo Alto Wastewater Treatment Plant (where the nest was located) went to work on a new home for the owlets. Brian Jones rushed to Home Depot and had the box built before sundown. The facility's maintenance crew - Aaron, Pedro, and Robert worked on making sure the new box was secure. Margaret Adkins, who was instrumental in this rescue, made sure the box was lined with some of the original material.

On Wednesday afternoon one of WildRescue's responders, Mary Kenney, was flying high in a cherry picker.

A big Thank You! to Lead Lineman, Gary Schulz, and his employees, Isaac, Kevin, Tito, and David for so generously providing the bucket truck!

With the babies in their new home, the task was just about complete... we just need to confirm the box was acceptable to the parent owls. Mary Kenney offered to do the stakeout. Here her account:

I staked out the nesting box last night from about 8:30 to10 PM and sighted an adult Barn Owl leaving the box twice during that time. I could hear the owlets chattering away inside as well. This is good news! I think we can assume that their lives have picked up where they left off after their little adventure. : }

Please pass on our appreciation to Ignacio, the plant supervisor last night, and again to all the crew who helped out on Wednesday.

Thank you, Everyone, for a job well done!!!

Next up, a re-nesting of even more barn owls at the Alameda Fairgrounds this coming week. ... to be continued...

Finch Saved From 2-Story Drain Pipe

2011-06-23T19:50:00.001-07:00

One of our rescuers, Sammarye, responded to a call about a bird that was stuck at the base of a 2-story drain pipe. The RP just happened to hear a noise and then see the bird's little legs at the base of this pipe in her townhouse complex. We contacted the property managers and received permission to open the pipe. Here's Sammarye's account of what happened:

It is really weird how the bird got stuck. The drainpipe went up almost two stories and had some kind of box-like thing on top that looked like it should have prevented anything from getting inside. The pipe had a L-shape bend in it between the first and second story - the bird could never have flown back up.

It was blazing hot in the afternoon sun. It must have been like an oven inside there.

I was worried about the hacksaw making such a loud noise, so I just sawed thru a corner and a few inches in the front, then used a screwdriver to pry the metal out enough to get a grip with the tin snips and start cutting. Not a sound from the bird - no movement heard.

When the hole got big enough for fresh air to get in, I heard a fluttering noise, so I gingerly reached through the jagged metal edges and got my hand around the little guy. I lifted it out through the opening, and it came to life, fluttering its wings. It flew a few yards and sat on the cool, green grass under some bushes where it rested a few minutes. Then it flew a few yards more and ended under some other bushes, then across the lawn area.

That sure was one lucky bird that the woman heard it scratching as she walked by, and that she cared enough to be persistent when people told her she was imagining it, and she cared enough to just keep calling until she got help for that little guy. She said one person said to her, "It is only a bird". Good for her that she did what her heart told her was right.

Barn owls by design

2011-06-18T19:10:00.001-07:00

We'd like to address certain barn owl nest-box designs that cause injury and death.

Nest-boxes that have low entrances or offer owlets easy access to a ledge can be deadly.

Like all young birds, a developing owlet will be comparatively heavy-bodied - dense - like a squab. A fall from any sort of height could easily result in serious, if not fatal, injuries.

Barn owls must be sufficiently developed before they fledge. Ideally, they should lose most of their 'baby-weight' and have fully feathered wings so that when they take their first flight... or fall... they will not drop like a cannonball, but flutter to the ground - or maybe even fly.

Another flaw we see in nest-box designs is a perch. Perches allow predators, like great horned owls, easy access.

Our latest nest-box design was inspired by the Carolina Raptor Center. They are spacious, allowing owlets room to grow and move around. Most importantly though, the entrance is high off the floor - helping ensure owlets are well-developed before they fledge.

Please see more at our barn owl nest-box web page HERE.

Raucous raccoons

2011-06-18T18:34:00.001-07:00

This week was busy with calls about raccoon 'invasions'. Raccoons all over the place - hold up in attics, under houses, digging up lawns, raiding fishponds. We even found raccoons using the five-story fire escape of a San Francisco apartment complex like a jungle gym.

The good news is that word is getting out about our program - Humane Wildlife Management Services. We offer sound, sustainable, humane, no-kill solutions and the proceeds from the fees we charge (usually less than most pest control companies) support our rescue work.

When faced with a wild animal raising havoc, it's really interesting that most people we receive calls from believe that TRAPPING (and removing) animals will solve their problem, when, in fact, trapping does nothing to solve the actual PROBLEM.

For example, a raccoon that has taken up residency in an attic is not the problem - it is the access into the attic that is the problem. Unless THAT is remedied, wild animals will take advantage of the available shelter.

Another misconception is that the live traps are safe and humane. They not. Animals can suffer severe injuries trying to break through the heavy-gauge wire.

Lastly, we find that the majority of people who call us regarding 'nuisance' animals believe the only solution is to trap them so they can be safely relocated. Not only is it illegal in California to relocate trapped wildlife (since 2003), it is inhumane, risks the spread of disease, and does nothing to address the actual problem.

Lucky One

2011-06-12T11:14:00.001-07:00

A few months ago, I was pulling out of our driveway and spotted a lifeless opossum in the middle of the road. Clearly, the animal was dead, but I thought to stop and check for babies. Indeed, it was a female with a pouch of young.

Opossums are marsupials, like kangaroos. The females, also called jills, have a little 'purse' where they carry their young. After a short gestation, blind, naked, jelly bean-sized baby opossums crawl into the pouch where they finish developing. Each baby latches onto a teat for nourishment.

It was early morning. The joeys had been without the warmth of their mother for quite a few hours. They, too, were cold and still.

I carefully removed the ones that looked like they might be revived - gently releasing them from the teats. They were about the size of a pickle and covered in short grey fur that felt damp from the moist environment of the womb.

Back at the house we immediately floated them in an open freezer bag (doubled) atop warm water while the electric heating pad was warming up. Turning them and stimulating them as you might a stillborn puppy, one of them began to stir.

Sadly, only the one came around, and within a half an hour it began vocalizing - Chhhh Chhhh - a cry that sounds like a slight sneeze.

Next, we microwaved a wet dish towel and placed it inside a Ziploc bag (doubled). This was placed on the floor of a small container and covered with a hand towel. The joey was bundled in a separate dish towel and set in the container for transport to the SPCA for Monterey County. There he would receive rehabilitative care.

They did an amazing job! Two months later he was returned 'home'... out of the box came this magnificent looking young opossum with a beautiful thick blue-grey coat and a wild heart. Thank you SPCA for Monterey County Wildlife Center! Nice job! ~ Rebecca