|
|
||
Wildlife Center of Virginia in 2009 had its busiest year since 2004 helping injured, ill and orphaned animals Date published: 1/16/2010
By RUSTY DENNEN One day last spring, Ed Clark, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, released a rehabilitated bald eagle at Caledon Natural Area. The majestic bird of prey had been found injured in early April at the King George Landfill. It was rescued and nursed back to health at the center in Waynesboro. Its return to freedom in a patch of woods at Caledon weeks later was one milestone in a busy year for the wildlife center, which treated 2,534 animals in 2009--the most since 2004. The King George eagle was among 40 bald eagles treated last year--a record. Jeff Cooper, a non-game biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisher- "That was about as ratty a bird as we've seen," Clark said at the time. Tar was not the only problem. A blood test showed evidence of pesticide poisoning. The immature bird, which had not yet developed its distinctive white head and tail feathers, was given fluids, pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs. As its condition improved, it was moved to exercise pens outside. Each year, the wildlife center treats a menagerie of injured, ill or orphaned creatures. Among the 2009 tally were common backyard denizens, including 280 Eastern cottontail rabbits, 252 opossums, 210 gray squirrels and 107 robins. And more unusual ones: Several black bear cubs, orphaned when their mothers were struck and killed by vehicles Four great horned owl babies, nurtured by Mama G'Ho, a resident owl and surrogate mother at the center A pied-billed grebe that had swallowed an angler's hook, line and sinker. Nineteen of the "patients" had been shot--two crows, two bald eagles, a Canada goose, a raccoon, two red foxes, four red-tailed hawks, a tufted titmouse and six vultures. Highways also take their toll. Animals are hit or run over while scavenging on roadkill. The wildlife center's aim is to "treat and release," though some animals don't survive or must be euthanized. Some that recover but can't be sent back into the wild become permanent center residents and wildlife ambassadors at schools.
Date published: 1/16/2010
Just wanted to thank Rusty for reminding and sharing with us nature's side of survival and how we contribute to its extinction on a daily basis. Not familiar with FLS photo staff but Peter Cihelka supplied us with one of those closeup Kodac moments of the eagle being embraced by man. The stark anger in the eagles eyes, while being held, speaks volumes why our species really needs a kick in the butt, for driving our natural resourses to the bottom of the barrel. The photo is a keeper and should be recognized
|
|
|||||||||||||
