Wildlife Rescue
The rescue of any animal must be done with great caution.
Always assess the situation and make sure the animal needs to be rescued. Every year well-meaning people take animals, especially babies that should be left alone. Baby birds need time to figure out how to use their wings. Mothers leave their young unattended so they may find food, but will always return. Turtles lay their eggs and leave, never to see their young hatch.
If you are in doubt, call the Wildlife Care and Rescue Center for advice. Inexperienced people should not attempt to rescue a wild animal by themselves. Even young animals have the instinct to defend themselves and will do so by biting or scratching. You are looked upon as a predator; they don’t understand that you are trying to help.
Should you rescue a wild animal, cardboard boxes are good holding containers. Place the container in a quiet warm area. Do not take pictures as this causes unnecessary stress. Do not provide food as this may cause additional complications.
Treatment, Medications and Diets
-
Constantly updating our knowledge on treatments
-
Proper medical care is a must
-
More research nationally and internationally
-
Information obtained allows us to profide the best possible care
-
Established working relationships with Veterinarians along the coast
Wildlife Release
Alot of care goes in to releasing a wild animal back into its environment.
There is sadness they feel in the animal’s departure, yet a greater feeling of joy knowing the animal now gets a second chance. We must never lose sight of the fact that these are wild animals and they must remain that way.
It’s a wonderful experience to watch a hawk fly away, when just weeks before it came to us with a broken wing. To watch young squirrels run up and down a tree for the first time, when we received them with their eyes still closed. To see a turtle scurry away into the forest, a broken shell repaired after being hit by a car.
We may not be able to save all the animals that pass through our hands. We learn from those too young, too sick or too weak to survive. For those that we can help and do return back to the wild, it’s a great sense of accomplishment.
Wildlife Education
Education is the key to survival.
It is important that we continue to educate people on the issues of conservation and preservation of the environment.
WCRC offers education programs to children and adults of all ages. These rewarding, hands-on presentations are conducted with non-releasable wildlife. Programs are age appropriate for everyone.
To learn more about our organization, educational programs, becoming a volunteer or to support us through donations, please call (228) 669-2737.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation efforts can be simple while other times, very difficult.
In many cases, animals require weeks of therapy, medications and observation. Only trained rehabilitators should care for wildlife. Improper diets, handling and diagnosis can be detrimental to the survival of any animal.
WCRC has established working relationships with veterinarians along the coast. They assist us by prescribing medications to performing surgeries on wildlife. They offer us professional advice and help us in our decisions to better care for the animals.
