Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Busy, busy, busy with no end in sight.

Well, we are getting ready for our big annual fundraiser in Moab, Utah.  Yes, that MOAB!  Saturday, June 7th we will have a two part event; a morning event and an evening event.  We have a Facebook page dedicated to the event.  Please check it out at
https://www.facebook.com/FlockTogetherAFundraiserForUtahsWildlife

We have 8 Golden Eagles in our care.  The most recent came in yesterday from near Scofield, Utah.  He will be going to our vets office tomorrow for x-rays, but at this point, I don't believe he will ever fly again.

We also have a Barn Owl in our care that came in from Utah County.  A recent fledgling, found at the base of a large business, covered in mirrors.
She just needs some time and we will also kill test her to make sure she can hunt successfully.  

Our non-releasable Red-Tail hawk, Summit, will be going to Natures Educators in Aurora, Colorado, once all the paperwork is complete.  We are so happy for him as he will be a wonderful ambassador for his species.
We are feeding many babies, as usual for this time of year.


 Cottontails and squirrels.  We just released our last Starling nestling today as he was ready to go.
We recently released one of our Red-Tail hawks.  This bird was released just outside of Helper, Utah near a place called Emma Park.  We hope she does well in that area, which is perfect terrain for a Red-Tail.

Time to go and feed again,
Thanks for checking in,
Debbie
https://www.facebook.com/FlockTogetherAFundraiserForUtahsWildlife

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Working to save birds in Utah and around the country. Please join us.

Second Chance Wildlife, along with other organizations and individuals is mounting an effort against the proposed 'Crow Hunt' in Utah. This is a new proposal and is being rushed through the 'system'. We only have a few weeks left for comment. You can also go to http://wildlife.utah.gov and comment on the Division of Wildlife Resources page to help this effort. This effort cannot be justified by any documentation, studies or facts. Other states that do allow this horrible violence against one of natures most intelligent creatures have yet to show they have accomplished their goals, whatever they may be. There is no consistent rationale for this proposed hunt as Crows are not consumed by people, such as ducks would be. It would simply be killing for the sake of killing and these native birds belong to everyone, not just a few that want to do them harm. The populations in Utah are very diverse and Crows are not numerous in many areas. The worst part of this whole ugly situation, is that most individuals cannot tell the difference between a Crow and a Raven, which will cause mass casualties for Ravens as well. I see this first hand, even with wildlife personnel. Second Chance Wildlife opposes this new 'hunt' and will continue the fight for all wild birds in and around Utah. Please take the time to comment at the DWR page I have listed above. Thank you.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

In full swing and only going to get busier!

More to update on.  We are fast approaching our annual fundraiser in Moab, Utah.  This event will be held June 7th and is a two part event, both occurring that day.  For more information about this event, we have created a Facebook page dedicated to this event. Please check it out and learn about our silent auction to be held that evening.   https://www.facebook.com/FlockTogetherAFundraiserForUtahsWildlife


We just released a Red-Tail hawk that was transferred to us from another rehab facility in need of our help.  She was a juvenile hawk and is now free.  She learned to kill and was good at doing so, being very aggressive, like most female Red-Tail hawks.

Todd Andrews releasing the female Red-Tail hawk

We hope she will be successful and in the future, raise many Red-Tail babies with a good mate.

Our electrocuted Raven is doing better.  It's been a bumpy recovery for him.  He still has a long way to go, but I think we are over the 'hump' and he continues to heal and thrive.

We released all of our Cottontail babies.  We had a cat-caught victim and three others that had their nest disturbed by 'gardening' and one sibling was killed and the mother fled for her life.  They all did well and were recently released near Price in an area where there is not a lot of human activity or traffic.



At our facility, we rehab many species.  Every animal that Utah will allow to be rehabilitated, we work with.  Many people are surprised to learn that besides the raptors they know we care for, we also believe that all animals are important and deserve our time and expertise.  There is NO difference for us between these Cottontails, the Hummingbirds, the Eagles and so on.  They are ALL important.

We also recently released a Northern Flicker, a member of the woodpecker family.  This little angel was found in the middle of a busy road.  The finder stopped and picked her up and called me right away.  She had a concussion and balance issues due to that.  Once her issues resolved with anti-inflammatories and time, we released her near where she was found.

If you happen to notice the bird to the left, that little Eurasian Collard dove showed up to say "hi" after the Flicker landed.


This is our newest patient, an orphaned (not sure why) Canada goose gosling.  Found in Moab, Utah by some hikers.  They did the correct thing and took possession and called for help.  This little angel will be joining other orphan Goslings in a few days.  They should never be raised alone, if at all possible.  It's good when rehabilitators network and know who has what and when.  It's a vital part to good rehabilitation.

Thank you for checking in and please check out the 'Flock Together" page.  Donations to our organization can be made at the top of this page by the secure Pay Pal button.  Donations allow us to continue the work we do, caring for these angels that need our help.  All rehabilitation in the United States is done this way as local state wildlife agencies or federal wildlife agencies do not employ rehabilitators nor do they financially support our work.  Sad.....but true!

Debbie


Feathered brothers and sisters, you came to us broken and as you bled…….we saw you desperate, dehydrated, desiccated, diseased, distressed, emaciated, famished, frayed, frightened, helpless, hungry, ragged, ravenous, shaken, shocked, shot, sickly, stressed, stunned, tattered, thirsty, traumatized, torn, weary and wounded. Defiantly, you stood us off with your last breath as we tried to tend to you. We saw you come in as cute, naked, fuzzy, cuddly youth, as mischievous, defiant adolescents, as fierce, regal rulers of the sky and as cunning, maimed elders whose time on earth was almost done. You endeared yourselves to us, bit us, charmed us, footed us, delighted us, hissed at us, talked to us, mantled at us, and graced us with your presence.

Some of you mended and were able to go on your way, never looking back. Some of you were injured in ways that prevented you from going, so you stayed with us to teach us…….And we came to love you. Others were too far gone, and you went home - where you fly free from pain with the Great One. All of you have touched us, and we are changed because of you.

used with permission by Arlene Powers


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