volume 20 number fall inter · 2 wildlife center of silicon valley • fall/winter 2014 ......

WHAT’S IN SIDE . . .

3

Patient Gallery: Who’s on the Mend at WCSV?

86

Wildlife Rehabilitation Transforms

11

Creature Features: Black Skimmer & Common Merganser

Cover Story: White-throated Swift

VOLUME 20NUMBER 2

FALL/WINTER 2014

Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley • Fall/Winter 20142

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

The Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley is a California nonprofi t organization that since 1993 has been committed to providing the highest quality care and rehabilitation to urban wildlife and to promoting a mutually benefi cial and respectful coexistence between humans and wildlife in our communities.

Telephone: (408) 929-9453Email: [email protected] site: www.wcsv.org

WCSV Mailing/Physical Address: 3027 Penitencia Creek RoadSan Jose, CA 95132

Board of DirectorsBill Paker – PresidentJon Neumann – Vice PresidentLarry Stites – TreasurerJoan Giampaolo – SecretaryScott DelucchiKatie DinneenDebbie FischerLisa Van BuskirkKen White

Lead StaffDirector of OperationsJanet Alexander VeterinarianDr. Chad AlvesWildlife Rehabilitation SupervisorAshley KinneyOutreach and Education DirectorJen ConstantinVolunteer ManagerHolly Cormier

Tracks is a biannual publication of the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley.

Managing Editor – Jen ConstantinLayout and Design – Ruth McDunnCover Photo (White-throated Swift) – © 2014 Jerry Ting

Birds aren’t the only things that fly—

so, in fact, does time! Maybe it feels that way because we’ve had such

an incredibly busy year so far. We make a concerted eff ort to ensure that healthy animals are not ‘over-rescued.’ What does that imply? It means we take the time to talk with each individual that calls the Center to determine whether the animal they have found is really in need of our services. For instance, fl edgling birds are often found on the ground having just taken their maiden fl ight from the nest. Th ey can often be left alone as they will continue to receive vital training and protection from their parents for the next few days. Fawns are regularly left on their own for several hours while mom is busy grazing. In many cases, they are perfectly healthy although it appears they have been orphaned. We have a team of volunteers specially trained to deal with situations like this, as in most cases the fawns are not truly abandoned. Th ese are just a few examples of the types of phone calls we intercept. A good portion of our day is spent educating callers and helping them make determinations that aff ect the lives of the animals they fi nd. Sometimes practicing ‘tough love’ and leaving an animal alone is the best decision for it.

Education is such a key component of the work we do. Our programs are designed to inspire kids of all ages, and adults, who otherwise might never have the opportunity to develop a connection with the environment. We provide both on-site and off -site programs incorporating hands-on experiences to students. Our innovative programs include wildlife biofacts, natural history information, stories, and pictures. We strive to make

every classroom experience something that inspires and incites a conservation ethic that will continue for life.

We’re starting to see the short-term eff ects the drought is having on the wildlife in our community. Th e shortage of water is leaving its mark. Th is season’s youngsters are having a diffi cult time thriving in the scorching heat of the late summer because food and water sources are scarce. In order to help us ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, will you consider making an extra donation to help guarantee that the wild critters we admit get the proper medical attention, housing and all of their dietary needs met? We are committed to what we do and truly need help, now more than ever. Every donation, from small to large means more for the animals.

One of our favorite species, a Western Burrowing Owl, listed as a Species of Special Concern in the state, and nearly extinct in the South Bay Area, was found near Levi’s Stadium in poor condition and unable to fl y. Our medical staff immediately got to work evaluating her condition. Th e miniature owl was wearing a Federal ID band which told us she was banded in San Jose in 2009 as a hatchling. We’re happy to say she is recovering well from a heavy parasite infestation and we hope she’ll be ready to return to her home turf soon. Along with rooting for the 49ers, we’ll be cheering on this little owl as well!

We are ever grateful—for the opportunity to give our precious wildlife a second chance and for people like you, who deeply care about the animals. We couldn’t do it without your help!

Janet AlexanderDirector of Operations

Tracks…across the backyard, along a wooded trail, meandering by a creek. Whose tracks are they? Are they coming or going? Perhaps they are the tracks of things past, or of visions to be revealed, and stories yet untold. Come join us as we explore diff erent dimensions of wildlife rehabilitation and the special wild neighbors with whom we share our communities. It is the intention of this publication to investigate our dynamic relationship with wildlife within the greater context of our relationship with the earth and each other. Th e issues are many, as are the myths, feelings, and beliefs surrounding each one. Let’s follow the tracks, wherever we may fi nd them, and leave our own for those who may follow. PHOTO: ASHLEY KINNEY

3www.wcsv.org • 408.929.WILD

CREATURE FEATURES

The “unworldly” Black Skimmer, as ornithologist R.C. Murphy once described, is the only avian species whose lower mandible exceeds the length of its upper mandible. Rightfully named for its skimming feeding behavior, the crepuscular species, active mostly at dawn and dusk, glides over the water with a scissored beak trailing the surface for small fi sh. Th is large waterbird native to coastal regions of Northern, Central, and South America, inhabits areas protected from surf such as lagoons, sandy beaches, estuaries, and inland lakes and creeks. One skimmer was even brought to us after being found along Stevens Creek in Mountain View earlier this year.

Th e species is hard to miss as both sexes are strikingly characterized by a black

Th e Common Merganser, or as the Latin term merganser or “plunging goose” suggests, is a heavy-bodied diving duck known for its streamlined appearance. Also referred to as sawbills, fi sh ducks, or goosanders, it is the last waterfowl to migrate South in the fall and the fi rst to return North in the spring. Th e species inhabits freshwater rivers and lakes in mature forest as well as coastal areas and

PHOTO: TERRY FOOTE, CREATIVE COMMONS SA 3.0 Black Skimmer

Common Merganser, Male with two Females

crown, black back, black wings, short red legs, and a snowy white underside. When in fl ight, a white trailing edge on the wing is visible across the broadly pointed 44-inch wingspan. Th e species is set apart by its sharp aerial agility, barking vocalizations, and black tip and red-based bill. Vertical pupils benefit the Black Skimmer by reducing glare from refl ective water and sand.

Th e Black Skimmer species is considered widespread and abundant and falls into the category of least concern by the IUCN. Populations in the Gulf Coast, however, were seriously challenged by the 2010 oil spill and are considered at risk by the

National Audubon Society. Disturbance from coastal clean-up and perpetually accumulating oil residues negatively impacted nesting grounds and populations. Despite challenges posed by natural and anthropomorphic environmental change, species numbers have otherwise remained stable throughout the Americas.

By Tessa Buchin

Th e Black Skimmer

Th e Common Merganseris the largest inland duck of North America. Locally, mergansers can be spotted in lakes, such as Almaden Lake Park in San Jose, that are not always part of forest habitat.

Th e Common Merganser exhibits strong sexual dimorphism. Males don dark green iridescent feathering on the head, a serrated narrow red bill, and a white breast and black back. Females are gray-bodied and

d i s t ingui shed by a c i n n a m o n - c o l o r e d crested head and white chin patch. When in flight, both sexes are marked by a white patch on the upper wing.

The species selectively nests in natural tree cavities up to 100 feet off the ground from which the precocial flightless young will leap within a day or two of hatching.

Th e mother will stay near to protect her brood as the young independently forage for aquatic insects, advancing to feeding on fi sh by day twelve.

Th e Common Merganser hunts visually, diving at depths of up to 13 feet and staying submerged for as long as two minutes. The species is at the top of the aquatic food chain feeding mostly on vertebrates, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and plants. Th eir diet consists of salmon, trout, and suckers in the winter and a lighter diet of insects in the breeding season.

Th e population remains mostly stable despite environmental pesticides, toxic metals, and acid rain compromising egg integrity. Identifi ed as a keystone predator, the wellness of the Common Merganser species accurately indicates the health of surrounding ecosystems making it a notable species for environmental study.PHOTO: ROLAND ZH, CREATIVE COMMONS SA 3.0

COMPLETE PHOTO CREDITS AT HTTP://WWW.WCSV.ORG/NEWSLETTERS/PHOTOCREDITS/


SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT

Wildlife rehabilitation serves multiple purposes. Of course there are the obvious—medical care for wildlife that need it most and conservation at the individual, population, and species levels. What might not be so apparent is the fact that we aid in overall public health and safety by taking in sick and injured animals that would otherwise remain in our neighborhoods, parks, etc. An even more obscure outcome of wildlife rehabilitation is knowledge of species trends.

Th is has already been a record intake year for crows. By the end of July we had treated 420 individuals compared to ‘only’ 258 in 2013, a more typical number. A great deal of these crows have come in with similar symptoms: average to good body condition, an inability to stand/grip with feet, and a lack of muscle control in legs/wings. Nearly 98 percent of those we have sent to Santa Clara County Vector Control for West Nile Virus testing have been confi rmed positive. Last year was not an eventful year for West Nile Virus in Santa Clara County—only 75 crows were positive county wide—especially not when compared with the 500 positive crow cases so far in 2014. In fact, we only had a handful of suspicious crow cases that we sent in for testing in 2013. Why the diff erence from one year to the next? We asked Vector Control, and essentially it’s complicated and diffi cult at this point to tell with certainty if what’s being seen is a result of the drought or not. What we can all work to avoid as much as possible is standing water. In our warm climate it only takes seven days on average for a mosquito to go through its entire life cycle from egg to adult stage! A crow bitten by an infected mosquito can die within fi ve to seven days.

While none of this is good news for crows in particular this year, it paints a more detailed and important picture. Large crow populations are easy to detect in our neighborhoods, and often raise eyebrows about why they are so prevalent. Despite appearances, crows are not immune to disease, viruses and predators. Knowing that West Nile Virus is present in particular areas can also help us all take steps to remain healthy and act responsibly. Networking with other rehabilitation centers and local organizations like Vector Control and others on the ground collecting fi eld data, such as San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, we can discover illnesses, population trends, and work to solve even more conservation issues.

By Jen Constantin

Huge THANK YOU to Silicon Valley Cares for choosing WCSV as one of three local organizations who will benefi t from their fundraising events this year! Here’s another fun way to support local wildlife!

THANK YOU

We are exceedingly grateful to Dr. Boltz (center) and her team at Adobe Animal Hospital for the pro bono treatment of the many critical bobcats we’ve received over the past two years.

American Crow


By Jen Constantin

COMMUNITY TEAMWORK SAVES YOUNG EGRETS

Th is year we’ve been caring for some rather famous young egrets who have been fortunate enough to hatch on the Google campus. Nesting colonies of both Snowy and Great Egrets were discovered on Shorebird Way in 2005, but this year marks the fi rst time the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society became involved and convinced both Google and the City of Mountain View that closing the road was the best way to keep these birds safe. Typically

young birds that fall from nests can either be helped back into them, or remain where they’re found and their parents will care for them until they’re developed enough to fl y and take care of themselves. Egrets however, don’t have it so easy.

In egret nests siblings can present the biggest threat to survival. It’s not uncommon, particularly in Great Egrets, to see evidence of siblicide especially when resources are scarce. Siblicide can take diff erent forms, including the overpowering sibling kicking the less dominant brothers and sisters out of the nest. Once those smaller and weaker egrets fall to the ground they’re on their own. If they’re too young or too injured to forage and get lift up onto higher

MARMOT MISCHIEF

In the last year, WCSV has taken in three Yellow-bellied Marmots that have all hitch-hiked from the Yosemite region to the San Francisco Bay Area. Th e marmot is a large member of the squirrel family and can weigh up to 11 pounds. Th ey are herbivores, eating leaves, fruits, and fl owers on the rocky expanses of the high Sierra Nevada mountains. Marmots make their home in burrows in the rocks and can frequently be spotted sunning on a high perch outside the burrow. They are highly social and will whistle loudly to each other when danger approaches. Th ese large rodents seem to see car engines as sources of a sweet treat: antifreeze. Antifreeze is toxic to animals and can be deadly if even a small amount is consumed. Marmots will quickly climb inside the engine when a vehicle is parked in their territory. Without realizing it, people have driven home with a stowaway before the marmot could do damage to the car.

By Rachel Atkins

Away from their normal habitat, the marmots have been seen foraging in yards and gardens from San Francisco to San Jose. With the expert live-trapping skills of Wildlife Emergency Services, the marmots have been captured safely and transported to WCSV. Although they are not normally a species our staff works with, our team was up to the challenge. At the hospital, the marmots were sedated and examined for any burns, injuries,

or signs of antifreeze toxicity. Luckily, all have been healthy and once transport was arranged, were released back into the wilds of Yosemite.

If you are in marmot country with your car, there are several strategies you can use to deter them from trying to get in the engine of your vehicle. You can take a look under your car and honk your horn before starting the engine to startle them out or wrap the bottom your car in a tarp or chicken wire after parking. Th ese can be secured with parachute cord. Th e tarp or wire needs to cover the bottom of the car and extend up at least two feet to prevent any marmots

from forcing their way in. Using a non-toxic antifreeze will also help keep all wildlife, including marmots, safe from succumbing to the poisonous substance.

perches to escape predators, they will not survive. This was what Audubon feared was happening with both Snowy and Great Egrets being found on the grass under the nesting colonies at Google.

Since the beginning of June, Silicon Valley Animal Control, Wildlife Emergency Services, and Audubon have all worked together to transport 42 egrets to our Center. While there have been several with untreatable fractures of either a leg or wing, or were just too weak to survive, the majority have been faring well. Th e fi rst six Snowy Egrets to come through our doors were released together at Charleston Slough on July 16, after receiving a steady diet of previously frozen smelt and hunting live feeder fi sh. As soon as they were all bold enough to leave their transport crates, fi ve of them foraged naturally in the muddy marsh while the sixth looked on from his perch in a nearby tree. Before the summer is over we’ll certainly be releasing others as they become independent, successful fi sh hunters—a far better fate than being left alone and defenseless on the ground.

PHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN

PHOTO: TRACI TSUKIDA

PHOTO: JENNY LIU


WHITE-THROATED SWIFTBy Jen Constantin

PHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN

HAVE YOU EVER IMAGINED WHAT IT’S LIKE to be a bird – watched one in fl ight and visualized the

ground far below? What kind of bird are you? Are you a fast falcon diving toward the ground at incredible speeds, a vulture catching thermals and soaring high and peacefully above the busy streets, or a tiny hummingbird buzzing expertly between branches catching insects on the wing? How about a White-throated Swift?

Chances are if you’ve seen swifts in fl ight in the Pinnacles, the foothills of Mt. Diablo, in Gilroy or various other areas around the Bay Area, even if you didn’t recognize the species, you were awestruck. Th eir daring, seemingly death-defying dives and rapid changes of direction tend to impress even the most sober observer.

Swifts in general are among the fastest birds in the world, and White-throated Swifts fl y higher, with more rapid wing beats and erratic patterns than other swifts. White-throated Swifts can be fairly quickly identifi ed by their black and white color pattern. While the rest of their body is dark-brown to black, white feathers adorn their chin, neck, mid-belly, and the tips of their secondary and tertiary wing feathers.

Built for Speed and DexterityWhite-throated Swifts, whose scientifi c name Aeronautes saxatalis is Greek for “sky sailor,” are arguably the best-equipped and fastest fl iers in the avian world. Examine their overall body design, particularly their wing shape, and you’ll fi nd the secrets of their success. In addition to the fascinating specializations for fl ight common to nearly all birds (air sacs, lack of teeth/heavy jaws, nearly hollow bones, feathers, and rapid digestion, among other things), White-throated Swifts possess aerodynamically arched wings and a petite bullet-like body, making their incredibly fast aerial acrobatics possible. Swifts are such adept fl yers they do nearly everything in the air: eat insects, drink, mate, and bathe/preen, and in the non-breeding season will spend all their waking hours fl ying.

These Legs Weren’t Made for WalkingExhibiting this level of skill in the sky, you might expect these birds to also be at least somewhat comfortable on the ground, but this is where their anatomy

fails them. Th eir four forward-facing, widely-spaced short toes and long claws make swifts great at clinging to vertical surfaces but terrible at perching or standing/walking on the ground. Swifts do not land on the ground of their own volition.

PHOTO: © 2014 JERRY TING


Dr. Rachel BoltzDr. Tina BurlingAnn CalnanDr. Kate Cameron

THANK YOU TO OUR INVALUABLE PARTNERS IN SERVICE

Unlike many other small avian species who often fl edge from the nest onto nearby branches or the ground below, needing more time and space to gain suffi cient strength for fl ight, White-throated Swifts need to be able to fl y immediately from the nest. Th eir anatomy makes it impossible for them to get lift off the ground and into the air where they’re most comfortable. As a result, if they’re found on the ground, they need help. Since 2013, 86 percent of the White-throated Swifts we’ve treated at the Center have come in as fl edglings that had been found on the ground. In these cases, their parents do not care for them outside of the nest, and since they cannot get lift on their own, they would not survive if left alone.

Slipping Th rough the CracksSince White-throated Swifts cannot perch well on horizontal surfaces, they need to get creative when deciding upon nesting

locations. Large colonies of these swifts have been documented darting in and out of crevices and cracks in cliff faces. Th ey use these tight spaces for vertical clinging while they construct their saucer-shaped nests out of feathers and a variety of plant materials (bark, moss, grasses, etc.) glued together with a great deal of their own saliva. When there aren’t cliff s to be found, White-throated Swifts have taken to nesting under bridges and overpasses. Th ese swifts are highly social, fl ying and roosting in colonies of anywhere from roughly 18 (during the breeding season) to over 200 individuals in winter months. Aptly named, a group of swifts is known as a “screaming frenzy” or a “swoop.”

Imagine watching 200 White-throated Swifts in daring aerial displays where they dive and swoop rapidly catching insects in fl ight. Th e next time you mentally take to the sky, why wouldn’t you want to be one of the most skilled of all fl iers?

PHOTO: © 2014 JERRY TING

Pacifi c Gas & ElectricSilicon Valley CaresToyon Elementary SchoolVung Tau Restaurant

Casa di Mir ElementaryLarry KrikavaDr. Kurt NakamuraPatagonia


PATIENT GALLERY Who’s on the mend at WCSV

We make sure our young animals have companionship, and you can tell it makes a difference.

An uncommon patient, this Black Skimmer received supportive care with us before being transferred to International Bird Rescue.


One way to tell a nestling House Sparrow (above)from a House Finch is to look for “fuzz.” Always remember: fuzzy finch, naked sparrow.

PHOTO: ASHLEY KINNEY

Very unusual patients for us, these nine Common Mergansers came in after being found alone close to Almaden Lake Park.

There’s a first for everything! This mother squirrel came in with head trauma and also happened to be pregnant. She gave birth to three squirrels within her first eleven days here.

This Western Sandpiper came to us after being attacked by another animal who left puncture wounds under the bird’s right wing.

This Burrowing Owl was found at Levi’s Stadium, overwhelmed by feather lice leaving her weak and in no condition to fly. She’s now free from parasites and will hopefully have a full recovery.




PHOTOS: ASHLEY KINNEY



Our only Hooded Oriole this year came in after being blown out of a high nest in a palm tree in San Jose. He was released at the same location nearly two months later.

Our one and only amphibian of the year! This Arboreal Salamander was cat caught but successfully released 40 days later after receiving medication and a good insect diet.

PHOTO: RACHEL ATKINS

This Bobcat with head trauma and puncture wounds was found by 200 savvy Girl Scouts who allowed time for her mother to return before calling animal control to transport her. After being cared for at our Center, we’re extremely grateful she as a new Bobcat “sibling” at WERC in Morgan Hill.

These squirrels are the same age and both victims of tree trimming, but are different species. Notice the squirming native Western Gray Squirrel on the left and the larger non-native Eastern Gray Squirrel on the right.

Following release after being hit by a car, this Northern Bobcat’s ear tag will allow us to identify him successfully in the field. It also marks the beginning of our partnership with Felidae Conservation Fund.

This baby Striped Skunk was orphaned at three weeks old after a dog permanently scared off his mother. He was transferred to Native Animal Rescue to be paired with new skunk “siblings.”

Barn Swallow gaining strength in one of our outdoor aviaries at the tail end of rehabilitative care.








REUNITING AND WILD FOSTERING A solution for over-rescues

During the spring and summer months we receive thousands of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in need of expert medical care. A small percentage of birds we receive are very young, healthy birds, known as pre-fledglings that should still be in a nest or cavity but have been found on the ground. Some of this is due to tree trimming or complete removal, high winds or temperatures, nest removal either by people or animals, siblicide, etc. Whenever possible we work to get healthy wildlife back home immediately, if we know where they came from. When their nesting site has been disrupted we have several options to keep these young birds with their natural parents. Another option is to place them into a new nest or cavity with diff erent caregivers, aptly called “wild fostering.”

Most cavity nesting birds do not make their own cavities. Some species, such as Bluebirds, House Wrens and Violet-green Swallows are considered ‘nonexcavators,’ meaning they search for nest boxes, abandoned woodpecker holes, or trees with natural cavities. Common species we see are Western Bluebirds, Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows, White-throated Swifts and several different species of woodpeckers. Common raptors that nest in cavities are Western-screech Owls and American Kestrels.

By Ashley Kinney

As soon as a newly admitted pre-fl edgling cavity nesting bird is deemed healthy and without any injury, we can attempt to reunite or wild foster the bird(s) in the original or new cavity. A local nest box monitor, Lee Pauser, and our newly formed “Reuniting and Wild Foster Team” of ten volunteers work together to make this happen. It’s not an easy job. Th is team spends hours searching for suitable cavity sites, and stays on site for long periods of time once birds are put into nests to ensure the parents are tending to the young. Nocturnal birds require monitoring for parental activity late into the night. It takes a lot of time, training and an appropriate mind-set to serve on this team, but well worth it. Between 2013 and 2014, we successfully reunited or wild fostered close to 75 animals including bluebirds, swallows, woodpeckers, Barn Owls, Western-screech Owls and American Kestrels.

One memorable success story is when Lee Pauser and WCSV Volunteer Ruth McDunn attempted to wild foster a young Violet-green Swallow admitted to our hospital at the beginning of the summer. Because the parents of this perfectly healthy, pre-fl edgling bird decided to set-up house in a dryer vent, he was unable to be returned. We quickly contacted Lee to see if he knew of or was monitoring an active nest box containing the same species of the same age, and he did!

Violet-green Swallow pre-fledging added to a nest box with three others of a similar age

Nest box at a local park

Th ree days later Lee and Ruth took the young swallow to a local nest box and introduced him to his new siblings. Within minutes an adult swallow entered the box with food! When Lee checked on them the next day he found all youngsters looking bright-eyed and well-fed—mission accomplished! We couldn’t be happier that our wild foster and reuniting techniques have proven to be very successful and extremely benefi cial to young cavity nesters.

Healthy pre-fledgling Violet-green SwallowPHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN

Violet-green Swallow adult returns to the nest box with food!

PHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN PHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN

PHOTO: RUTH MCDUNN


WILDLIFE REHABILITATION TRANSFORMS Quotes from our inspired volunteers

In our fi rst Tracks issue of the year we had asked our volunteers to share how wildlife rehabilitation has impacted their lives. Here are more moving words from our incredible volunteers.

“ As a new volunteer working with baby birds, I quickly became aware that, besides being diff erent species, birds have their own personalities. One recollection is still heartwarming to me. Toward the end of my shift one day, a newly arrived little goldfi nch was brought to me to set up in an incubator. While I was preparing a clean nest for him, which was a green, plastic strawberry-basket lined with tissue, I noticed how frightened he was, and as I put him in his clean nest, he kept his head down and tried to bury himself in paper as best he could. But as soon as I put him in the incubator, he looked up, saw the other baby birds, jumped out of his nest, and began visiting with them!”

— Ed Reed

“ My fi rst encounter with rescuing wildlife came many years ago when a crew sent by the power company to trim my Monterey pine tree knocked a squirrel’s nest to the ground. Th ere they were, four babies lying in their broken nest squealing in terror. I rushed them off to the nearest wildlife rescue center where the receptionist gently took them and assured me that all would be fi ne. I cried all the way home. A few weeks later I watched as those now fully grown squirrels were released back into the wild,

joyfully scampering up a tall tree. As soon as time allowed I knew what I had to do. I’ve spent 11 years as a volunteer in wildlife rehabilitation and almost nine of those at WCSV. Some sad cases come through our doors and there is no better feeling than seeing them released back into the wild where they belong.”

— Jackie Turner

“ Since I started volunteering here, my life has changed. I am now eagerly seeking some sort of career that works with animals. I now cry when I see road-kill on the street. Many of my social media posts are eff orts to educate people about wildlife and their habitats. My favorite Christmas present last year was a pair of opossum themed socks. I am so grateful for the opportunity the WCSV has given me. I am not the same person I was when I walked through their doors.”

— Nora Pierson

“ On September 28, 2012, I was invited to photograph the release of a Cooper’s Hawk that had been in rehabilitation for almost a year, due to injuries sustained from power lines. I remember the feeling of excitement as the bird was banded and everyone gathered for the release. It was an amazing experience—excitement that the bird can again live free and a pang of fear for its safety. I have been at a number of releases since then, and each time I realize this is why WCSV exists, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

— Ruth McDunn

“ Volunteering for WCSV has changed the way I live in the world. Once I have worked with a particular species—holding it in my hands to weigh, give food and medicines, and nurture back to health for release—I no longer see that animal in the wild in an anonymous way. I now have a deeper sense of relationship to the wildlife around me.”

— Andrew Bear

“ Th e chirping and chattering made by the critters at WCSV has become a sound I’ve grown comfortable with. I’ve become confident in working with animals, slowly shaping myself into a calm person rather than a fi dgety scared girl. I enjoy helping creatures that are not capable of helping themselves. Whenever dealing with animals, I take time to handle them gently and with compassion. Every time I volunteer, I fall more and more in love with the creatures I tend to. Every time I get an email notice that an animal is healthy enough to be released, I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Just like humans, sometimes animals are helpless and vulnerable themselves. In most cases the animals become injured from man-made disasters like oil spills and pollution, which is why I want to relieve them of the suff ering they endure. I feel responsible.”

— Cathy Tango




Wildlife Center of Silicon ValleyRehabilitation & Release Education & Outreach

3027 Penitencia Creek RoadSan Jose, CA 95132

www.wcsv.orgwww.wcsv.org/facebooktwitter.com/wildlife_center

If You Find an Animal in Distress

Visit www.wcsv.org orCall WCSV at (408) 929-9453

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volume 20 number fall inter · 2 wildlife center of silicon valley • fall/winter 2014 ......

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