Sep 26, 2011

Imagine...

...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.


Sep 13, 2011

Saga of the Glendale Coyotes

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!








Sep 5, 2011

White-Tailed Kite Reunion

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!!!

Sep 3, 2011

Darted ducks in Santa Clara

On Wednesday, August 31st, 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 25th, 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.
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.