Wildlife Wonders Spring 2015

Wildlife Wonders LINDSAY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE | SPRING 2015

Inside:

Lindsay Wildlife Experience is here—in more ways than one!

WELCOME

A New Name, a New Day for Lindsay It’s spring! The second issue of

Wildlife Wonders has arrived, and nature is delighting us with fresh green hills (despite the continuing drought).

Lindsay has a fresh new look as well—a new visual identity (our logo) and name.

“ We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

—Maya Angelou

Museum is gone, and experience is the defining word, encompassing all that Lindsay is and means to our visitors, members, volunteers and friends. Experience includes the wildlife in our live collection and the thousands of animals we treat each year in our wildlife hospital.

What will experience mean as we nurture the connections we all yearn to have with nature and its creatures? Outdoors it will mean up close and personal experiences with our animal ambassadors in the Raptor Redwood Grove. We plan to bring this experience to the public free of charge and look forward to inspiring even more people to respect and care for the natural world we share with our magical wildlife.

Experience will mean a new experience inside as well. What’s Wild, What’s Not will offer new educational programming and animal activities with our animal ambassadors to inform visitors of the importance of keeping wild animals wild. Our staff and volunteers

This is our new logo, an abstract image of our beloved barn owls. Some see the owl’s profile while others see the owl looking straight on. That’s the point: Animals are magical, and there is no one way to see them.

mals as we enter a fourth year of drought. Only your continuing support will make this experience more successful for the animals brought to our door.

In October, we’ll celebrate our 60th anniversary with an open house and community festival in Larkey Park! We invite you to become involved in this new event, one that could become an annual celebration of Lindsay Wildlife Experience.

So let’s continue the conversation. Tell us about your Lindsay Experience and how we can share the connections we have with the natural world.

Wildlife Hotline 925-935-1978 ­ — Lindsaywildlife.org info@lindsaywildlife.org­ — 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Executive Director Norma Bishop Creative Staff Elisabeth Nardi, Marketing Project Manager Rachel Simmons, Marketing & PR Manager Produced by DCP dcpubs.com

Board of Directors Marilyn Fowler, President Gabe Togneri, Vice President James A. Pezzaglia, Treasurer Julie Ross, Secretary Charlie Abrams Holly Armstrong Stewart Bailey Mark E. Brown Nan Hudson Marc Kaplan Matt Lawson Kevin Schwartz David Shunick Rosanne Siino Michael Stead Martha Strock Nan Walz

Norma Bishop Executive Director | Lindsay Wildlife Experience

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On the cover: Tyto, one of Lindsay’s resident barn owls.

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will face the many challenges of caring for more ani-

TRACKS

New Website Lindsay Wildlife Experience now offers a better, easier-to-navigate and more beautiful website. In the works for months, the website focuses on what Lindsay is known for: the animals!

Explore the new site at lindsaywildlife.org.

MEET OUR NEW SQUIRREL! This cute ground squirrel is Lindsay’s newest animal ambassador. Found as a baby, she was raised by a well-meaning individual, but she needed more care and was brought to Lindsay in December 2014. Now, this little squirrel needs a name to match her boisterous personality. Help name the squirrel by going to lindsaywildlife.org for more details.

Summer Fun at Lindsay

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Summer means there are plenty of

Special Traveling Exhibit Makes Stop at Lindsay

SAVE THE DATE!

opportunities for kids to learn about

Felines: Fierce and Friendly! will be on

wildlife at Lindsay! Summer Camps

display at Lindsay Wildlife Experience

are available for kids from 4 to 10 years

Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 13, for a delightful evening at Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar in Walnut Creek.

Enjoy fine food, fine wine and fine company in Va de Vi’s beautifully appointed courtyard, under an ancient oak tree. The evening includes an opportunity to bid on unique items at an auction to benefit Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Proceeds will help fund the rehabilitation and education programs at Lindsay Wildlife. For more information, please visit lindsaywildlife.org.

June 6 through August 31. A sequel to

old. Whether it’s learning to “Bug Out”

2003’s exhibit, which traveled to museums

and explore insects and arachnids, or

across the country, Felines: Fierce and

a special girls-only camp where young

Friendly! offers 50 paintings and sculp-

women shadow Lindsay’s professional

tures by artists who specialize

animal caretakers, there are new expe-

in cat subjects. To help

riences for all children. To see what’s

celebrate, ARF will hold

available and register, please visit

a Cat Adoption Day at

lindsaywildlife.org, or call the educa-

Lindsay on Saturday,

tion registrar at 925-627-2913.

June 20, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

186 PERCENT

This spring is turning out to be a recordbreaking season for Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital. As of the start of spring, the hospital had taken in 791 animals since the beginning of the year. At the same time last year, the hospital had taken in 425 animals: That’s an increase of 186 percent!

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An audience in Larkey Park, outside of Lindsay Wildlife, watches Houston, a barred owl, in the Raptor Redwood Grove.

The Lindsay Experience SPIRIT OF LINDSAY WILDLIFE CAPTURED IN NEW NAME

A

group of kindergartners, eyes wide with wonder and apprehension, gathers around a California mountain kingsnake.

Who will be brave enough to touch it? The Lindsay Wildlife

volunteer invites them closer to meet Jake.

The reptile’s scales are brilliantly contrasted in glossy bands of

red, black and cream. Who knew a snake could be this beautiful? The first little girl to glide her fingers across it gets an even bigger surprise: This snake is soft. She giggles, and laughter soon infects the rest of the children, now eager for their turn to touch.

Chances are the kids will remember this experience for years.

They have just made a special connection with wildlife that they couldn’t get from a book or a video, or an exhibit behind glass in a typical museum.

And that’s the reason Lindsay Wildlife Museum, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, is changing its name to Lindsay Wildlife Experience.

“The word museum does not fully explain the type of experiDirector Norma Bishop. “Even museums today are interactive.

Many are on the cutting edge of technology. But Lindsay is so much more than a museum.

“This word experience really captures what our animal ambassadors provide for people,” adds Bishop. “When you look into the eyes of a great horned owl, you’re connecting with a sentient being that knows things—a creature that knows the magical world of nature that we’re all too often out of touch with.”

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W i l d l i f e Wo n d e r s | l i n d s ay w i l d l i f e . o r g

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ence people can expect when they come here,” says Executive

Share Your Lindsay Experience on Facebook Share your favorite Lindsay experience on our Facebook page!

Each week in the month of June, we’ll randomly select one person who posts to receive a $20 gift certificate at our store!

For the past several years, the Lindsay

For starters, it’s up close and personal.

Recently, a worried

staff and board have contemplated the need

Where else can you come within two feet

6-year-old boy walked into the rehabilitation

for a name change. They reflected on the

of magnificent raptors perched on the

hospital with his sister and father, clutch-

60-year history of the nationally renowned

gloves of their handlers? At this distance,

ing a shoebox that held a tiny sparrow, yet

institution that receives 100,000 visitors per

you notice the intricately patterned wings

another songbird wounded by a house cat. It

year, showcases nearly 60 animal ambassa-

of Red, the red-shouldered hawk. You’re

is animals like these—injured to a point that

dors and treats 5,000 injured wild animals

mesmerized by the deep black eyes of Hous-

they can’t go back into the wild—that find a

in the nation’s oldest (and one of the largest)

ton, the barred owl, “who will stare at you for

permanent sanctuary at Lindsay as animal

wildlife rehabilitation hospitals.

minutes at a time, like she’s gazing into your

ambassadors.

But what struck staff most were the countless stories and memories that Lind-

soul,” says Dawn Manley, curator of the live collection at Lindsay.

These rescues awaken children’s compassion and connection to the world around

say has shared with people. It turns out that

At its best, a Lindsay wildlife experi-

a Lindsay “wildlife experience” is something

ence imparts not just respect and awe for

can help protect local wildlife—keeping

distinct and special.

California native wildlife, but stewardship.

cats indoors, supporting regional habitat

them. Families learn how their own choices

preservation, ceasing the use of pesticides

“Lindsay Wildlife Experience emphasizes the importance of passing on this knowledge, appreciation and respect to our next generation.”

in their gardens.

“Lindsay Wildlife Experience emphasizes the importance of passing on this knowledge, appreciation and respect to our next generation,” says Melissa Strongman, director of education.

After 60 years of success in this endeavor, the next step for Lindsay is to think outside the box and deliver Lindsay wildlife experiences in new ways, beyond the building’s walls.

That vision becomes a reality in the Raptor Redwood Grove, a clearing near Lindsay’s front entrance. Here, Lindsay animal ambassadors enjoy sunshine on a daily basis: Snakes slither through a slalom course, hawks perch on logs or take swiftly

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to the air, and turtles burrow into piles of leaves. Guests and park passersby are invited to participate.

Odin, a female Swainson’s hawk, leaps from Dawn Manley’s glove to a nearby log in the clearing, and three little girls run up to watch. The smallest girl, dressed in a pink hoodie, grabs her mother’s iPhone to snap a picture. She’s just saved her first Lindsay wildlife experience.

Animal keeper Brittany Buenvenida in the Raptor Redwood Grove with Fire, a red-tailed hawk.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Associate Veterinarian Lana Krol holds a baby great horned owl.

The Littlest Patients The Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital team cares for injured and orphaned baby animals with expertise, compassion—and a healthy distance

the ones who are altricial [unable to feed and care for

the Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital for

themselves],” says veterinarian Guthrum Purdin, who

some 20 years, goes to great lengths to feed the

sees anywhere from 30 to 130 animals a day in the spring.

tiny baby animals in her care.

Because it’s crucial that they don’t associate food with humans—which would compromise their ability to survive in the wild—Meltzer camouflages herself at feeding

mals, so it would be stressful for them if we held them or talked to them. We are careful to keep our distance.”

Under Dr. Purdin’s leadership, the staff and volunteers

time. “I wear a shrub costume when I feed the babies,” she

assist with surgical procedures and splinting, administer

says. “It’s like a big poncho that covers my hands, arms

medications, and help to feed the youngsters. Because

and legs. I look like a big bush!” When she has to drop food

many of the creatures did not get enough time in the nest

into birds’ mouths, she disguises her hand with a bird

to observe adult behavior, members of the same species

puppet. “We try to expose them to the kinds of things they

are kept together so they can learn from their own kind.

will see in the wild before we release them.”

Many of these are tiny birds that have fallen from their

When the time does come for release, Lindsay follows strict protocols to increase an animal’s chance for sur-

nests, been harmed by a cat or caught in a trap. Some are

vival. Flocking birds are released together. If possible,

no bigger than jelly beans when they arrive at Lindsay,

mammals are returned to the same habitat where they

dehydrated and cold. The number of these vulnerable,

were found. Some birds are even returned to their own

newborn creatures delivered to Lindsay spikes in spring-

nest—what hospital staffers calls a “reunite”—and the ani-

time, when the majority of animal births occur. Upon the

mals’ parents resume their care and feeding.

animals’ arrival, the veterinary team and volunteers make

For a veteran like Meltzer, wildlife rehabilitation is more

sure the little orphans are calmed down, warmed and

than a job: It’s a calling. “So many of these animals are here

rehydrated. Then, the hospital team of vets, technicians

because of things we humans have done, whether it’s due

and volunteers diagnose each animal for wounds, broken

to gunshots, traps, letting our cats outdoors or tree trim-

bones and illnesses.

ming, which can destroy nests,” she says. “So it’s satisfying

“They need to be mollycoddled a bit, especially

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“But we are very careful how we do it. They are wild ani-

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to know we help get them back where they belong.”

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arcia Meltzer, a technician who has been with

FAC E S A N D P L AC E S

Right: Executive Director Norma Bishop, Rick Fowler and Lindsay Board of Directors President Marilyn Fowler.

An Affair to Remember

Below right: Guests of Michael Stead Porsche applaud for a bidder who raises his paddle for wildlife.

THE FACES OF WILDLIFE GALA MARKED A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR LINDSAY

Below: Gala Committee member Connie Loosli is recognized for her service to the cause.

240 guests mixed and mingled at

On February 28, more than Diablo Country Club to celebrate 60 years of Lindsay Wildlife.

Highlights included a special performance from Company C Contemporary Ballet; live music from Locust & Main; and live “quick-draw” animal portraits by artists Guy Combes, Andrew Denman, Joel Kratter, Linda Darsow Sutton, Kathryn Wills and Joan Yao. Special thanks to the evening’s premier sponsor, Michael Stead Porsche, for making the event a smashing success.

Far left: Guests look on as talented artists work on their “quickdraw” portraits of Lindsay’s barn owl Tyto.

Left: Board member Nan Walz (center) and friends.

N AT H A N P H I L L I P S

Right: Scott Smith bids on a “quick-draw” portrait.

Far right: Company C Contemporary Ballet dancers entertain guests at the gala.

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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WALNUT CREEK CA PERMIT NO. 525 Lindsay Wildlife Museum 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek, CA 94597-2540

Event Calendar

MAY 16: Members-only breakfast with the animals

18: Mini Monday: Wings, Wings and More 25: Exhibit Hall open 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

JUNE 6: Felines: Fierce and Friendly! exhibit opens

17: Exhibit Hall summer hours begin: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday–Sunday

22: Mini Monday: Digging Dinosaurs 26: Family Night at Lindsay!

JULY 4: Exhibit Hall closed

20: Mini Monday: Bug Bonanza

AUGUST

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15–16: Bee Bop at Lindsay 24: Mini Monday: Caring for Critters

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT LINDSAYWILDLIFE.ORG.

Follow us!

On March 5, Lindsay Wildlife’s rehabilitation team released a female bobcat in the hills of Brentwood. She was brought to Lindsay in October 2014 after being snarled in a barbed wire fence in nearby Oakley. Veterinarian Guthrum Purdin provided lifesaving treatment for a wound on the bobcat’s neck, allowing this fierce feline to have a second chance at life.