Wildlife Wonders Fall 2016

Wildlife Wonders Lindsay Wildlife experience | FALL 2016

Inside:

Lindsay celebrates the arrival of a new animal ambassador: a North American porcupine

welcome

I

will never forget my first encounter with a North American porcupine. I was snowshoeing

around my dad’s camp near Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks when I intersected

“

a meandering, deeply striated trail with no distinct tracks—as if someone had dragged a heavy broom through the freshly fallen snow.

I followed the trail to a copse of white birch trees

We should have respect for animals because it makes better human beings of us all.”

— Jane Goodall

and discovered an adult porcupine lumbering toward a midmorning snack of inner birch bark. The spiky object of my fascination tolerated my observations from a respectable distance for 90 minutes before waddling off to parts unknown, without so much as a glance back in my direction.

That experience made an indelible impression on me, and I became obsessed with learning all I could about the influence of porcupines’ feeding behaviors on the structure and function of forested ecosystems.

Connecting people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share.

Discovering the source of that curious trail on a snowy day in the central Adirondacks was formative in my decision to become a plant ecologist. My fascination with porcupines hasn’t waned, so I was thrilled to learn that my first experience in exhibit planning and design at Lindsay Wildlife would feature my quill-coated friend.

Every aspect of this project has been a delight— the exhibit team included members from every department at Lindsay, and it has been an honor to work closely with colleagues who have many mind-boggling skills and an astounding breadth and depth of knowledge that I may not have discovered otherwise. Every detail—from habitat concept to program evaluation—was a truly collaborative and joyful experience. And, if I may say, it certainly doesn’t hurt that our “quillacious” animal ambassador has an

Exhibit Hall and Wildlife Hotline (925) 935-1978 ­ — lindsaywildlife.org info@lindsaywildlife.org­ — 1931 First Avenue Walnut Creek, CA 94597 Executive Director Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D. Creative Staff Editor: Elisabeth Nardi Contributors: Heather Haas, Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D., Sherrill Cook, and Lizzie Coyle

Board of Directors Gabe Togneri, President Marilyn Fowler, Vice President David Shunick, Treasurer Julie Ross, Secretary Stewart Bailey Lou Eber Nan Hudson Marc Kaplan Matt Lawson Laura Lee Ryan Misasi Roger Pettey James A. Pezzaglia Martha Strock Nan Walz

Produced by DCP dcpubs.com Photography by Paul Hara and Margaret Kowalick-Hara

endearing temperament and captivating expressions.

I hope that you are as charmed as I am about our delightful new porcupette.

Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D.

The Board and staff of Lindsay Wildlife gratefully acknowledge the dedication of seven outgoing board members who have collectively contributed 116 years of outstanding service: Charlie Abrams, Holly Armstrong, Mark E. Brown, Barney Howard, Kevin Schwartz, Rosanne Siino, and Michael Stead.

Executive Director | Lindsay Wildlife Experience On the cover: Lindsay’s North American porcupine.

On occasion, we share information with like-minded organizations that may be a good fit for our members. To opt-out of future list exchanges, please contact the membership office at 925-627-2950 or email donors@lindsaywildlife.org.

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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

GREAT GRAY OWL

tracks

SAVE THE DATE!

04.01.17

Faces of Wildlife Seventh Annual Gala

Meet Our New Animal Ambassador Just in time for the spooky Halloween season, come meet a new animal ambassador: a

Howl-ooo-ween!

LindsayGala2017_2.125x3.5_SavetheDate.indd 1

Mexican free-tailed bat! This little guy, who weighs less than a pound, was brought to 7/26/16 9:44 PM

Come spend a spook-tacular night

at Lindsay Wildlife’s Howl-ooo-ween, presented by Jelly Belly! Just a few days before Halloween, our Exhibit Hall is filled with haunted fun for a frightfully good time! This annual event is a family favorite, and all ages are invited to come in costume, enjoy story time, make crafts, get a face painting, meet Lindsay animals, and, of course, trick-or-treat with a Lindsay tote bag.

Can your little one weave through the giant Lindsay Spider Web? Or maybe you want to whip up some “monster slime”! Join us Thursday, Oct. 27, 5:30–8 p.m.; a food truck will be available in the parking lot. Save money by buying tickets online before the event. Go to lindsaywild life.org/howl-ooo-ween for more information.

the Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital in 2016 from Oakley. With an injury to his right shoulder, he was unable to sustain flight even after months of treatment, so Lindsay brought him into our collection as an animal ambassador. He is one of three Mexican free-tailed bats at Lindsay Wildlife.

Found throughout southern North America, including most of California, Mexican free-tailed bats are an amazing species. Their diet consists entirely of flying insects, which they catch while in flight, and they can fly speeds up to 45 mph! They are social as well, with colonies ranging from 1,000 individuals up to several million.

Come help name our batty friend! During October, voting on the bat’s name will take place in the Exhibit Hall. The winning name will be announced Oct. 27 at Howl-ooo-ween! ​

Fun FactS For the third year in a row, the top animal accessioned during the busy season at Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital is the opossum! As of Sept. 12, 743 opossums had been brought in.

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License to Quill

Introducing Lindsay Wildlife’s newest animal ambassador, a North American porcupine There are few creatures more fascinating—and, thanks to their coat of quills, more instantly recognizable—than porcupines. But besides

Come Celebrate at the Quill-abration!

On Oct. 22, members are invited for a pri-

their quills, few people know much about this unusual animal. After all, did you know that porcupines are the second-largest rodent in North America? Or that they’re excellent climbers, sometimes making their home in trees while they forage for leaves, twigs and bark below?

vate meet-and-greet with the porcupine

Did you also know that they exude a pungent odor? Or that an adult

at 9 a.m. Enjoy snacks and refreshments,

porcupine can have more than 30,000 quills?

and come see why we are WILD about this

But what might surprise people most is that porcupines are, in fact,

newest animal ambassador. Then enjoy an exclusive members-only Live. Wild. Animal

native to California.

Exhibition: Spikes, Stripes & Scales!

The entire day will be dedicated to our Quill-abration, with spike-tastic activities,

“In terms of North American wildlife, they are such a unique species, and a lot of people don’t realize we have them in California,”

games and giveaways all celebrating our

says Interpretive Programs Manager Sarah Parnell, a self-proclaimed

new pokey porcupine!

porcupine fan. “We believe that bringing in a porcupine as our new animal ambassador is a great opportunity to showcase this animal.”

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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

California Neighbors Starting in October, the six-month-old female porcupine will be featured in her own exhibit, which was specially designed to reflect her ideal environment. With a marvelous mural of a redwood forest, the exhibit emphasizes that these animals are in closer proximity to us than we think. That was an important goal for the exhibit, says Ben Aller, owner of Zoological Fabrications, who helped design and create the porcupine’s enclosure. “We wanted to make sure we did a faithful representation of a porcupine’s environment,” he says.

The design also underscores the importance of preserving this habitat, especially in light of troubling reports that porcupines in Northern California and the Sierras, where they are most common, are possibly on the decline.

“Lindsay’s mission is to connect people with wildlife,” says Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D, executive director of Lindsay Wildlife. “It’s important to us that every individual who interacts with this charismatic ambassador leaves that experience with a sense of urgency—viable habitat for this species is shrinking in California. Every individual can do something to protect what remains of these ecosystems—not just for porcupines, but for wildlife in general.”

The exhibit will also focus on porcupines’ many specialized traits, such as adaptations

Fun Facts:

The Porcupine Porcupines are incredible creatures, but many people know very little about them. Learn more about what makes these animals unique: > A porcupine’s quills are actually modified hairs. They are stiff, filled

for climbing as well as their signature defense—their quills. Additionally, because

with a spongy matrix and have over-

their quills are such an effective deterrent against predators, porcupines, which are

lapping barbs at the end.

nearsighted, tend to be slow moving, presenting great opportunities for the public

> The name porcupine comes from

to see her in action. The porcupine’s keepers “have trained her to demonstrate her

the Latin words “porcus” and

climbing ability and how she uses her tail and quills,” Parnell says. “People are really

“spina,” meaning “spiny pig.”

going to be able to see a porcupine up close.”

Ambassador for Life Conservation also explains Lindsay Wildlife’s decision to obtain the porcupine through an experienced breeder.

“It’s rare to find a suitable candidate through our wildlife hospital, and we do not want to collect from the wild, especially from a species that is potentially declining,” Parnell says. “But we did want to present this species, so we opted to partner with a breeder.”

This decision also gave keepers a chance to work with an animal at a very young age, adds Brittany Buenvenida, senior animal keeper. When the porcupine arrived at Lindsay Wildlife in May, “She was a fuzzy ball, about the size of a grapefruit, with tiny quills,” Buenvenida says. “Now, she has big, thick quills, and she’s larger than a basketball.

> Unusual for rodents, female porcupines have only one baby a year after a six-and-a-half- to sevenmonth gestation period. > The baby porcupine, or porcupette, is born with soft quills so as not to injure the mother. The quills harden within a few hours but are small and not as dangerous as the adult’s quills. > The quills protect porcupines from

It’s been very interesting and a lot of fun to watch her grow and experience new things.”

most predators, but both mountain

And she’s been impressing her handlers since day one. A couple of days after she

lions and fishers are known to hunt

arrived, keepers discovered that she had climbed to the top of her enclosure, nearly to the ceiling. “We were worried she might fall,” says Buenvenida, “but she continued to show off her abilities and climbed down without an issue.”

“She’s surprisingly playful,” McCormick adds. “She spins around when she gets excited, to everyone’s delight. People are disarmed by how endearing she is.”

Parnell expects the porcupine will be a hit with the public, just as she is with the staff at Lindsay Wildlife.

“She’s a tree-climbing, spiky rodent!” Parnell says with a laugh. “You can see the

porcupines. > Porcupines are excellent swimmers.

Their lightweight quills keep them buoyant. > Porcupines in the wild live an average of five to seven years but can live up to 17 years in captivity. ​

excitement on people’s faces when they see her.”

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Behind the scenes

Using makeshift nests, Lindsay Wildlife volunteers successfully return owlets to the wild.

Reunited and It Feels So Good Lindsay Wildlife volunteers work hard to return baby animals to their parents

fawn, the area looked too dangerous to leave the young an-

mines to rooftops in Concord, the volunteers in

imal. However, just as she got back in her car, Plate spotted a

Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital go to

doe watching. She released the fawn, which started to cry.

great lengths to get baby animals back to their parents and the—sometimes unusual—places they call home.

Called a “reunite,” returning a baby back to its parents often takes patience, a plan and a little bit of luck.

This past year, Sherrill Cook, hospital staffer, returned seven great horned owls and five Western screech owls to their parents. Two of the great horned owlets were brought

For those on Lindsay’s squirrel team, reunites are important for one simple reason: “Natural mothers tend to do a better job of raising baby squirrels than we do,” says Ted Vomacka, a member of Lindsay’s squirrel team.

Vomacka has done reunites from Brentwood to Liver-

back to an industrial warehouse in Pleasanton after they fell

more, sometimes waiting up to two hours for mothers to

from a nest on top of a giant moving platform. With the help

take their babies back.

of workers at the building, the babies were placed in a pile of stacked lumber where their mother found them.

“The babies fledged right in the middle of this industrial facility,” Cook says. “Great horned owls don’t build nests; they take over any nest site that they think is appropriate.”

Reunites are usually attempted for hawks, owls, predatory mammals and fox squirrels, Cook says.

Before a reunite for great horned and screech owls, Cook scouts the location to find the original nest and, hopefully, spot the parents. When the owl is ready for release, she plays the sounds of owls calling to entice the parents to the area, while tree trimmers such as Traverso Tree Service in Walnut Creek hoist baskets carrying owlets back into the trees.

Sandy Plate, a longtime Lindsay volunteer, says reunites are especially important because Lindsay does not have the facilities to care for and raise so many babies during the busy season.

Plate recalls a fawn that was found on the on-ramp of a freeway in Danville. Later, when she returned to release the

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“As soon as it cried, mom jumped back into the area, and she pushed the fawn back to feed her,” Plate says.

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

Plate explains that typically well-meaning people often bring the babies to the hospital because they find them alone. In fact, the parents are likely nearby, and people should not disturb the animals.

Still, there is nothing quite as thrilling as releasing a baby animal back to the wild, Vomacka says. When a reunite is successful, he adds, “It’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

Sherrill Cook

F

rom floating docks, freeway on-ramps and silica

fac e s a n d p l ac e s

a

b

An Evening to Remember!

The seventh annual An Evening at the Bistro on Sept. 25 was HOT, HOT, HOT! Braving the 1000F weather, supporters raised nearly $60,000 for Lindsay Wildlife!

Thanks to all who came, and a big d

thank you to John and Nan Walz and the partners of Va de Vi!

e c

a: Brent Hayes admires a silent auction item. b: Attendees with "Ethan Hawk" and "Olga." c: Yasser and Lynn Said and Jen and J.C. Herrera. d: Nan Walz with Dawn Manley and "Shadow," a great gray owl. e: Board President Gabe Togneri and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker at the silent auction.

Alliance Boutique scheduled December 2–3; holiday cards available now!

Whether catering a delicious brunch or selling their signature rings, the ladies of the Lindsay Wildlife Alliance are dedicated to the programs, people and, of course, animals they have helped through their fundraising efforts.

Started by Barbara Lindsay, wife of founder Sandy Lindsay, in 1955, the Alliance brings

to p e v e n t p h oto s : Dal e G o df r e d

together women to raise money for Lindsay’s education and rehabilitation programs.

“For many, the Alliance is an extension of a long commitment to Lindsay, and they are excited to continue contributing,” says Joanne Howard, Alliance president. “I love working with these dedicated women and learning about the Alliance’s history of support.”

During the holiday season, the Alliance hosts several sales to benefit Lindsay Wildlife.

To preview a selection of holiday cards that can be personalized for your family or business, call Shirley Hare at (925) 476-5259. This year’s Alliance Boutique will be held Dec. 2–3 and will feature hand-spun holiday decorations, gorgeous amaryllis bulbs and gourmet treats to give as a gift ... or keep for yourself. We hope to see you there!

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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

No Place Like Home Every wild animal has a habitat best suited for it.

Can you match the animal to its ideal home?

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October

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2, 9, 16 and 23: Migrating Tarantula and Neon Scorpion Hikes

3–Dec. 31: Photographer Paul Bannick exhibits The Owl and the Woodpecker: Photographs by Paul Bannick 21: Free Friday 22: Quill-abration: Porcupine Exhibit opening celebration 1

22: Live. Wild. Animal Exhibition: Spikes, Stripes & Scales

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a l /c r e o s o t e

27: Howl-ooo-ween, presented by Jelly Belly bu

31: Mini Monday: Naturally Nocturnal

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26–30: Not-So-Scary Animals!

November 14: Mini Monday: Thankful for Wildlife 18: Free Friday 2

19: Live. Wild. Animal Exhibition with the Oakland Zoo

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21–23: Exhibit Hall open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tis

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24: Closed for Thanksgiving

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December 10: Live. Wild. Animal Exhibition: Santa Brings a Sloth!

12: Mini Monday: Home Sweet Home 16: Free Friday

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18: Member Movie Night: The Polar Express

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25: Closed for Christmas 26–30: Exhibit Hall open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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January 1: Closed for New Year’s Day 20: Free Friday 4

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30: Mini Monday: Amazing Animal Alphabet

Answers: 1=D, 2=A, 3=B, 4=C

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19–23: Exhibit Hall open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. a nt s a l a ia g i

Follow us!

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit lindsaywildlife.org.