AWARE’S Tails from the Wild A Wild Year at AWARE As the new year begins, the volunteers and staff at AWARE are enjoying the last month or so of relative calmness at the center. Starting as early as late February, the center will again be flooded with babies of many different species in addition to all of the adult animals we rescue. If AWARE’s work in 2011 is any indication, the volunteers and staff are in for their busiest year yet. Last year, AWARE rescued more than 1,600 animals (over 600 in April and May alone), a 10% increase from 2010. These animals represented 120 different species ranging from large animals like great flying squirrel horned owls and foxes to tiny hummingbirds and flying squirrels. AWARE had some memorable visitors at the center as well— an adorable fawn, a majestic eagle, an exotic Sulcata tortoise, and a Sulcata tortoise goat that someone
had mistaken for a deer. No matter what time of year, there is always much to learn and do around the center. Although we are still caring for a few youngsters that were born in late fall, AWARE typically receives only two or three dozen animals per month from December through February. During these months, volunteers are able to get all of the feedings, cleanings, dishes, and laundry done on schedule and still have time during their shift to complete other tasks. Wildlife Care Supervisor Marjan In fact, beyond Ghadrdan trains volunteer Chris Dunlap to work with Owlbert, caring for the ani- one of AWARE’s barred owls. mals in rehabilitation, volunteers spend much of their winter shift hours providing enrichment activities for AWARE’s ambassadors, for example, glove-training our raptors, taking our opossum for outdoor walks, and providing our bobcat with new toys to “hunt.” In addition, there is more time during the winter months to make improvements around the (continued on page three)
January 2012
Inside this Issue: Thank You!
p. 2
Director’s Reflections from the Wild p. 3 Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife: The American Crow p. 5 Meet the Ambassador: Edgar Allan Crow p. 5 A Tortoise’s Long Journey
p. 6
Rehab 911! What to do when a bird strikes your window p. 6 AWARE’s Mission, Hours, Wish List & More
p.7
Senior Writer and Editor: Melanie Furr mefurr@bellsouth.net
A Narrow Escape One Sunday morning last fall, AWARE received a call about a hawk who had gotten himself into an unusual predicament. Because the hawk was located not far from where I live in Tucker, AWARE called to ask if I was available to rescue him. I like to help with rescues and wasn’t busy at the time, so I quickly got some things together and headed out. Susan McLeod and Tom Gondeson, who had called about the hawk, were waiting for me in front of their home when I arrived. Like me, they had been enjoying a relaxing Sunday morning when some flapping movements out their back
window caught their eye. Looking more closely, they discovered that a hawk had gotten one of his wings trapped in a narrow gap between two boards in their back fence. Not knowing how to help the hawk without causing injury to the bird or to themselves, they called AWARE. (continued on page four)
www.AWAREone.org
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 2
THANK YOU! What a Gift! In June 2011, everyone on AWARE’s board of director’s was shocked. An anonymous donor pledged $50,000 to AWARE over five years ($10,000 per year), if we could acquire ten new donors who would contribute $5,000 each over five years ($1,000 each per year). We had about 90 days to find these donors. AWARE had never tackled anything this ambitious before, previously existing from donation to donation. With an all out blitz, eleven donors met this challenge. As a result, AWARE will have $21,000 per year donated for five years. We are very thankful to the following donors. Annick Berghman Amanda Atkins Briarcliff Animal Foundation Bryans Family Foundation
Tom Derby Edwards-Furr Family Georgia Power Foundation Dr. Jason Hutcheson, For Pet’s Sake
Sheila and John Kozak Kathryn Lince Virginia and Alexander Hoffman
And a very special thank you to our anonymous donor who pledged $50,000!
2011 Leadership Donors AWARE would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their contributions of $1,000 or more. NewFields Bob Dawson Linda and Gordon Potter
Warren Gerhardt Houlihan Lokey B. Wardlaw
Klondike Area Civic Association The Marianne Halle Animal Support Foundation
Eric Albright’s Ride for Pets Eric Albright raised $2,000 for AWARE by doing what he loves to do best—ride his bike cross country. (At left, Eric Albright presents a check to Marjan Ghadrdan of AWARE.) During the first week of October 2011, Eric rode from Atlanta to Nashville, down the Natchez Trace Parkway, along the Mississippi River into Memphis and then back to Nashville and Atlanta—around 2,000 miles. He asked friends to pledge money for each mile of his trip. He donated the money to two groups: the Animal Rescue League of Northwest Georgia and AWARE. Eric’s Ride for Pets shows that with a little creativity anyone can raise money for AWARE by doing what they love to do.
Helping Us Mend Broken Bones Thanks to Mr. Charles Moore of Medical Sales & Service Inc. for his generous donation of an automatic x-ray processor. www.cmooremedical.com
Thanks to Everyone! Thank you to all of our generous supporters. Your gifts and time are greatly appreciated. We couldn’t do it without you!
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 3
Director’s Reflections from the Wild At AWARE Wildlife Center, we are looking forward to the New Year and the promise of things to come. We are lucky to have such committed staff, and we continue to expand our base of dedicated volunteers. With the guidance of AWARE’s board of directors and management team, AWARE is in the process of developing a strategic plan that will focus on improving the quality of rehabilitation for our wildlife patients and education for the public. Our future goals and current mission will always be one and the same: to preserve Georgia’s native wildlife through rehabilitation and education. In 2011, AWARE received more than 1,600 injured and orphaned animals, over 100 animals more than the center received in 2010. Our hope is always that all of these animals can be released back to the wild to live out the rest of their lives, but the reality is that many animals don’t make it because their injuries are too severe. Despite our best efforts, some animals don’t survive rehabilitation. Some that do survive cannot be released to the wild because their injuries are too serious.
cation of the community-at-large plays such an important role in the conservation of wildlife and the environment. We are happy to report that recently we were able to find permanent homes for three animals. Two sister opossums will soon be placed permanently in a wildlife facility near Newport News, Virginia. They came to AWARE several months ago as healthy animals, but they had been raised as pets in someone’s household. Unfortunately, wild animals raised as pets have a difficult time surviving in the wild because they often don’t have the ability to find food or seek proper shelter. The third animal, a black vulture, will also soon have a home in an educational facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The vulture had a permanent wing injury and was unable to fly, but it had a tremendous will to live. It was finally captured near a grocery store where observers said it had survived on the ground for more than 4 months!
To help as many animals as possible, AWARE started a We look forward to helping even more animals in 2012 and new program late last year to help find permanent homes in are hopeful that this program will provide an alternative option educational facilities for some of our non-releasable wildlife. for some of the animals that can’t be released back to the wild. We believe that this kind of program is important because edu-
A Wild Year at AWARE center. These improvements include fixing cages, building nest boxes, organizing supplies, and doing some “spring” cleaning. The volunteers accomplish a lot during the winter, but the slower pace gives them more “quality time” with AWARE’s ambassador animals.
situations, for instance, a nestling that has fallen to the ground, a baby rabbit that has been caught by a cat, or a raccoon that has made its home in their attic. Volunteers and staff often stay late during baby season to finish their tasks and spend time with the ambassador animals. In spite of the hectic pace, however, When spring rolls around, the center fills with baby animals AWARE’s volunteers and staff enjoy and like rabbits, squirrels, owlets, and take pride in the work that they do. songbird nestlings. Once this happens, AWARE experienced a lot of growth the volunteers never have an idle mo- and success last year. We welcomed our ment. During “baby season,” which new director, Dr. Tarah, and rescued more usually runs from March through Sep- animals than ever before. Our ambassador tember, the center takes in animals by animals educated and inspired the crowds songbird nestlings the hundreds, at festivals like the Stone Mountain Pow rather than the dozens. As a result, volWow and the Candler Park Fall Festival. unteers must hustle to accomplish all of Our staff helped thousands of callers find Windy, AWARE’s ambassador barn owl, the feedings and cleanings on time. ways to protect and peacefully coexist with impresses onlookers at Many of the baby animals require frewildlife. As we start the new year, we an- the Candler Park Fall quent hand-feedings of formula, some as orphaned gray squirrel ticipate even more growth and exciting Festival. often as every 20 minutes. As a result, dishes and laundry developments around the center. If you would like to volunteer sometimes pile up until someone gets a free moment to do at AWARE and become a part of the rewarding work that we them. The telephone rings incessantly with callers—perhaps as do, please call the center for more information. You’re sure to many as 100 a day—wondering what to do about a variety of have a “wild” experience.
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 4
A Narrow Escape (continued from page one) I didn’t expect freeing a hawk from a fence to be an easy task, but when I saw what this hawk had gotten himself into, I was worried. His left shoulder was tightly wedged between two close-fitting boards about 10 inches from the top of the fence, and it was badly cut and bruised. The poor bird was suspended in midair, unable to do anything but flap his right wing helplessly. As I approached, the hawk let out several piercing cries, unmistakably those of a red-shouldered hawk, in this case, a juvenile. After covering the bird’s eyes with a towel to keep him calm and grasping his legs to control his talons, I attempted to slide the hawk’s shoulder out from between the boards so that I could lift him clear of the fence. Nothing budged. Tom suggested that he go around to the other side of the fence to lift the wing from that side. Even with his help, however, I was unable to free the hawk even slightly. Finally, Susan climbed a step stool to pry the two boards apart while Tom and I gently maneuvered the hawk. The first attempt was unsuccessful; the boards would only move a fraction of an inch. We tried again, however, as the only alternative would be to remove one of the boards—a solution that would take more time and also create a noisy, stressful situation that could cause the hawk to further injure himself. Fortunately, after a few more careful, concerted efforts, we were able to free the hawk and I promptly took him to AWARE. Once at AWARE, our licensed rehabilitators examined the hawk, treated his wounds, and gave him some pain medication. Miraculously, no bones were broken, and he was soon on the mend. Susan and Tom, who nicknamed the hawk “Red,” kept in touch with me by email to monitor his progress. They also came out to visit the center during one of our weekend tours, arriving with several much-needed items from AWARE’s wish list. For the first couple of weeks, Red stayed in one of AWARE’s indoor raptor cages, where his wounds were treated daily and his health closely monitored. After a couple of weeks, Red’s wounds were mostly healed, and he was moved to an outdoor cage. The cage had enough room for him to fly, but was small enough to allow volunteers to continue monitoring his wing. When Red’s injuries were completely
healed, he was moved to a large flight cage with lots of room to fly around and regain his strength. Throughout this time, Red never lost his spirit, loudly protesting at being held captive whenever he was approached. At the end of October, AWARE’s rehabilitators determined that Red was ready to return to the wild. They checked the forecast for a block of days Red fussed at volunteers whenever when the weather was predicted he was approached. to stay warm and sunny, and I called Tom and Susan to arrange to meet for the release. When release day arrived, I drove to AWARE to pick up Red and transport him back to Tucker. While rescuing a hawk stuck in a fence is certainly a challenge, capturing an able-bodied hawk in a flight cage poses its own set of challenges. This hawk certainly had regained his flight! After several attempts, I finally captured Red and placed him in one of AWARE's special raptor carriers to transport him back to his home. As was fitting, Red screeched the whole time. Once in the carrier, he thrashed about noisily, protesting until the very end. Susan and Tom met me in front of their house, and we walked across the street to a wooded area to prepare for the release. Tom and I had cameras at the ready, but before the carrier door was even fully opened, Red shot out like a flash and flew to the top of a tall tree. He briefly hopped among some high branches, then he took off above the trees and flew out of sight. Even though we missed our photo opportunity, we all felt deeply rewarded by seeing a beautiful wild animal return to its natural habitat. Not long after the release, I received this email from Susan: “We think Red came back to visit the Monday after he was released. Tom saw a bird land and we realized it was a red-shouldered. It was in the exact area as before and it was munching away on either a mockingbird or a blue jay. It was getting a lot of attention from the other birds, which I guess could have been a way for him to get into his former predicament (flapping his wings while perching on the fence). I like to think it was Red coming back to show us he was not as silly as we thought! We will keep an eye out!” by Melanie Furr
Did you know... a red-shouldered hawk’s call can be heard from a mile away? To learn more about hawks or to listen to their calls, visit allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered Hawks
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 5
Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife The American Crow The American Crow, commonly called just a ―crow,‖ is a member of the Corvidae family of birds, which also includes ravens, magpies, rooks, nutcrackers, and jays. The Corvidae family is considered to be the most intelligent bird family and one of the smartest of all animal families as well. Crows have a distinct appearance and a call that is hard to mistake. Covered in iridescent black feathers, along with black legs, feet, and bills, crows are about 16–20 inches long (40% of which is the tail). Each wing is about 12 inches long. Their most typical call is a loud ―caw-caw-caw,‖ but they can produce at least 25 different sounds and even mimic the sounds of humans and other animals. Crows have a life span of up to 20 years in the wild and form lasting, close-knit family ties. Crows care for young, sick and injured family members and protect them from predators. They even form ―mobs‖ to drive away hawks, owls, and other threats. Crows form monogamous breeding pairs and are known to pay extended visits to siblings or extended family living elsewhere. Young crows spend up to six years with their parents, helping to raise subsequent broods. Juveniles often set up their own breeding territories next to their parents’. In fact, up to three generations of crows may spend time together. Crows are omnivores. They eat all types of invertebrates, carrion, human food scraps, seeds, eggs, nestlings, and grains. They are also active hunters and prey on mice, frogs, and other small animals. In fall and winter, crows depend more on nuts and acorns, and they will sometimes visit bird feeders. Crows have highly developed brains and show their intelligence in several ways:
Crows are one of the few species of animals that makes and uses tools to obtain food. They have been seen dropping acorns onto roads to be cracked by passing cars and also dropping shellfish onto rocks to break them open. Crows have also been observed breaking off twigs of a certain shape
to use as a hook for snagging insects in tree cavities. They even store these ―tools‖ to use again and again.
Crows are playful and curious. They drop and catch sticks in flight and play games like tug-of-war. They swing on tree branches and slide on snowdrifts. Sometimes, they’ll give a playful nip to the tail of a dog or other animal, then fly out of reach.
Crows are crafty at finding food. Crows will follow other birds to their nests, wait for them to leave, then steal their eggs or young. They’ve been known to tweak the tail of another animal to distract it while a fellow crow steals its food. They have even been observed pulling up unattended fishing lines and eating the bait or fish they find. In winter, groups of crows gather to sleep in communal roosts, flying off during the day in search of food. Roosts may contain fewer than 100 birds or up to tens of thousands of them. Roosts of over a million crows have even been recorded. Scientists don’t know exactly why roosting occurs, but theories suggest that crows gather as protection from predators and the elements. Roosts may also act as information centers, where birds transmit information about profitable food sources. Crows benefit the environment by eating insects and small animals that harm crops and gardens. They also eat carrion and food littered by humans, helping sanitize the environment. Crow droppings spread seeds and fertilize soil. In many times and places in history, crows have been prominent figures in legends and myths – magical, supernatural creatures that travel between the earth and spirit worlds and interact with the gods. Sadly, in today's society, crows are often maligned and misunderstood. When you know a little bit about these fascinating birds, however, it’s hard not to appreciate their loyalty, intelligence, courage, and spunk. Watch closely when you see a crow — you never know how it might surprise you! To learn more about crows or hear some of their calls, visit www.enature.com/fieldguides/crows.
Meet the Ambassador: Edgar Allan Crow When Edgar Allan Crow arrived at AWARE in October 2010, he was a pitiful sight. He was malnourished and missing many of his feathers. The feathers he still had were brittle and broken, several of them bleeding where they had broken off. The cause of Edgar’s condition was uncertain, but AWARE’s rehabilitators suspected it was a result of what is commonly referred to as the ―fast-food diet.‖ Most likely, Edgar’s parents nested in an urban area, raising him on discarded human foods like French fries and hamburgers rather than a natural crow diet. Unfortunately, as a result of his poor nutrition as a youngster, Edgar’s feathers will never grow properly, and he will never be able to fly.
―talkative‖ bird and has a wide variety of calls ranging from a typical caw to a vocalization that can only be described as a crow’s version of a giggle. If Edgar feels ―neglected‖ for too long as volunteers tend to their duties, he squawks loudly to make his presence known, but when volunteers come over to rub his beak or stroke him under his chin, he coos softly. Edgar is also a mischievous bird who keeps the volunteers laughing. He loves to play ―catch-me-if-you-can,‖ peck at shoes, and walk in his food getting his feet dirty. (Fortunately, he also likes to take baths). Although he can’t fly, he is a master of evasion; he’s quick on his feet and can even jump and turn back flips when he doesn’t want to be caught. What other crow can boast that trick?
Edgar will never be part of a crow family in the wild, but he’ll always be a beloved member of the AWARE family. We hope that he will help many people to better understand and appreciate our In spite of his bedraggled appearance, Edgar is one of crow neighbors, who raise and protect their families alongside AWARE’s liveliest and most personable ambassadors. He’s a our own.
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 6
A Tortoise’s Long Journey At AWARE, we are often surprised by the interesting ways that animals make their way into our care, especially when they come from far away. Several months ago, we had a patient who made quite a long journey to receive treatment at our facility.
months in rehabilitation where it received several hours of physical therapy each week. Despite its injury, the homing instinct in this tortoise was very strong; when it wasn’t A couple of friends from Florida were taking a trip to Georgia. outside, it was always finding its way to the doors of the center to look outside. As they drove along a state highway It seemed clear to most of us that the in a town north of Savannah, they tortoise longed to go home. stumbled upon an injured tortoise. They weren’t sure what kind of torEventually, the tortoise’s cracked shell healed and the cable toise it was, but they realized that it ties were removed. One of AWARE’s needed help. The tortoise appeared talented and artistic volunteers, Lynn to have been hit by a car, and its Reeder, performed a beautiful cosmetic shell was cracked and bleeding. repair of the shell to hide the original The friends interrupted their trip to contact wildlife rehabilita- shell injury. The goal of the cosmetic tors around the state for advice. They were eventually directed to repair was to help the tortoise blend AWARE. After a three-hour drive, they dropped the tortoise off into its natural environment and give it for treatment at the center. the best chance possible at survival. AWARE’s rehabilitators identified the animal as a gopher tortoise, a species that is native to Georgia. Before its untimely encounter with a vehicle, this amazing tortoise appeared to have lived over 60 years of its life relatively unharmed, growing to two feet in length and weighing nearly 13 pounds.
Thanks to very specific information provided by the people who brought us the tortoise, we were able to take the tortoise home to South Georgia. After another long journey, the tortoise was released back into the wild in a safe place close to where it had been found. Luckily, it had just enough time to prepare for hibernation! This is just one example of why we appreciate the kindness of others to help The cracked pieces of its shell were pulled together using a an injured animal. cable tie technique. Over time, the ties were tightened to pull the shell closer and closer together. The tortoise spent more than two by Tarah Hadley
Rehab 911! AWARE Rehabilitators Provide Answers to Common Calls about Wildlife Help! A bird flew into my window. What should I do?
6.
If the bird does not fly away, close the box, secure the lid, and bring the box back inside. Return the box to its safe place and call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
It is not uncommon for birds to fly into windows. Window strikes occur at all times of the year, but they are particularly common in spring and fall as migrating birds pass through on the You can help birds by preventing window strikes from way to their summer and winter homes. Unfortunately, window happening. Often just one or two windows in a house get the strikes are often fatal. Sometimes, however, they just injure or most bird strikes. Here are some things you can do to make those stun the bird. windows safer: If a bird strikes your window and survives, here’s what you should do: 1.
2.
Find a box with a lid. Poke small holes in the box and line it with paper towels or fabric. Get a small towel and put on a pair of gloves. Quietly approach the bird, paying attention to whether it is bleeding or injured. Put the towel over the bird and gently pick it up. Immediately put the bird in the box and close it, securing the lid with tape.
Install taut netting outside the window. This netting can be attached to storm-window frames for easy installation and removal.
Close the window’s blinds or shutters during the day. Even closing the shutters but leaving the slats open can help.
Put decals on the outside of the window. You can buy decals specifically made for preventing window strikes; however, most any type of sticker will do.
Move bird feeders to within three feet of your windows. Birds
3.
Take the box inside and put it somewhere safe, warm, dark, and quiet, like a closet or small bathroom.
4.
If the bird was bleeding or obviously injured, contact a wildSometimes, even these precautions don’t work. If you need life rehabilitator immediately. If the bird did not look inhelp for a bird that has struck a window, call AWARE or visit jured, leave it in the safe place undisturbed. www.awareone.org for a list of Georgia’s licensed wildlife rehaAfter an hour or so, take the box outside, open the lid, and bilitators. step away. If the bird was just stunned, it should have had by Stephanie Philippo time to recover and will fly away.
5.
are more likely to survive a window strike that occurs just after take off rather than one that occurs at full flying speed.
Tails from the Wild, January 2012
Page 7
Atlanta’s Premier Wildlife Rescue and Education Destination 4158 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 (678) 418-1111 www.awareone.org
Tours given on Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm and 3 pm Donations gladly accepted
—————————————— Book an educational program and meet our ambassador animals up close!
AWARE’s Wish List
Pressure washer Towels and linens (no holes or loose threads) Sticky notes, fine-tipped permanent markers Applesauce, mixed fruit baby food Pecan halves or miscellaneous whole nuts Unscented HE laundry detergent and bleach Purina Dog Chow Complete, Friskies Grillers’ Blend Cat Chow, and Friskies Classic Pate canned cat food
AWARE is a volunteer-based organization working to preserve and restore wildlife and its habitat through education and wildlife rehabilitation. We believe that peaceful coexistence of humans and wildlife is essential for our mutual survival. AWARE rescues and rehabilitates about 1,600 wild animals each year and returns most of them to the wild. In addition, our licensed rehabilitators answer approximately 10,000 phone calls each year from people with wildlife concerns, providing AWARE with opportunities to help people better understand, appreciate, and coexist with wildlife. Our educational outreach programs, which feature our non-releasable ambassador animals, include school programs, festivals, fairs, nature centers, community events, scout meetings, and anywhere there is an audience interested in wildlife. Our non-releasable ambassador animals (a bobcat, four owls, two hawks, a snake, an opossum, and a crow) provide a face to our lessons on how to peacefully coexist with wild animals. AWARE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on private contributions of time and money. AWARE receives no government assistance.
Your donations make our work possible.
AWARE would like to wish our friends a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ We can always use a few good hands! Please come out to AWARE on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm to help with improvements around the center and grounds. Email Kelly.AWARE@gmail.com for details.