Nathan Robertson: Endurance Hunter 100

Nancy Schellenberger BIG HEART FOR SMALL LIVES

ASSOCIATE SPOTLIGHT

As I write this I have a baby starling screaming at me for attention and an injured baby opossum licking its hands and washing it’s face after having a meal of scrambled eggs and puppy formula. I don’t recall a moment in my life that I wasn’t a total animal lover. Not just the cute and fuzzy warm-blooded kind but literally all of god’s creatures. I grew up in the country and had more animal friends than people friends.

I remember my first rescue was a black bird that had gotten wet and its wings were literally frozen. I brought it in the house to warm it up and let it dry out. I was probably around 6 years old. The accomplishment of saving it and seeing it fly free was so rewarding. I was hooked.

I’ve always had dogs, cats, and other domestic animals as pets and have enjoyed them. My belief is that wild animals should remain wild. They have a drive and sense of freedom they doesn’t give up willingly. Their natural instincts are amazingly engraved into their bodies and cannot be removed without completely breaking their spirit.

Forward to 2008. I got a call from my dear friend Gail Farris (Samtec Marketing). Her mother found a baby squirrel all alone. It was so small it fit in the palm of my hand. It’s eyes were not open, and it was near death. She asked me if I wanted to try to help save it. I was determined to be successful. I immediately researched what I needed to do to keep this baby alive. Through trial and error, I found the best course for little Tucker. Each day she grew stronger and eventually was ready to go

back into the wild. We introduced her to the outside world a little at a time. We showed her food sources, trees and provided support if she needed it. She stayed around for 4-6 months and eventually became the wild creature she was meant to be. I have since rehabbed 18 other squirrels.

Two years ago, I received my first “bucket” of opossums. They were literally delivered to me in a five-gallon bucket. A dog killed the mother and they were inside her pouch. There were 9 little babies. I again researched what to do and worked quickly to get them hydrated and warm. Heat is always the first and most important component as most small animals cannot generate and hold their own body heat. They depend on Mom to keep them warm.

Opossums are the cleanest creatures. Most people associate them with being dirty. They clean themselves like a cat and are even easy to litter train. They have the cutest smiles and carry very few diseases. Most opossums are immune to rabies. They eat mice, bugs, including ticks, and snakes. They are very docile and love belly rubs. They will even use a hamster wheel for exercise. Some even come back into the cage after they were released just to use the wheel. No Kidding!

The rehabilitation of wild animals may look like a lot of fun. It is rewarding but requires so much work, no sleep, is expensive and can be heartbreaking. Not all of them survive. The best place for these babies are with their mother. I have attached some websites about orphaned wildlife and when intervention should happen. A lot of people think they are doing to right thing but are literally kidnapping the babies from their mothers or taking them out of the wild when they are truly capable of taking care of themselves.

Respecting wildlife can be tough given they sometimes take up residence near our homes or businesses. Their domain is getting reduced at an alarming rate so they are closer to civilization. A perfect example is the geese around Samtec and around the lake. They can be very defensive just as you would be of your family if someone appeared to be a threat. If you are not comfortable with their defenses, find another route so both you and the goose (or other animal) can be safe.