Megan Mosby
Executive Director
There are many good reasons for you to come to Liberty Wildlife Saturday, February 15th for our third annual Sippin’ the Spirit of the Southwest. Here are ten to consider.
- You would be supporting the care of about 10,000 animals that we admit in a year.
- You would be supporting the provision of about 800 educational programs per year, for schools, community events, assisted living groups, scouts, and other organizations throughout the State of Arizona.
- You would be supporting the efforts to help save Native American cultures nationally through our Non-Eagle Feather Repository.
- You would be supporting our efforts to stop the black market trade of protected native birds feathers and parts used in religious and ceremonial practices for legally recognized Native Americans.
- You would be supporting efforts to assist the public, agencies and corporations with any negative impact they might have on native wildlife.
- You would be supporting the ability to help compassionate people with their needs regarding injured, ill, or orphaned wildlife that they have found.
- You would be coming out on a beautiful day after a rainy week.
- You would be able to see native wildlife up close and personal.
- You would be supporting the balance of nature.
- And, you would be having a really good time sippin’ spirits, listening to live music, and chowing down on some cowboy vittles.
So, grab your Stetson and don those boots (or not) and join us for Sippin’ the Spirit of the Southwest on Saturday, February 15th from 12 to 5 at 2600 E. Elwood St.
Click here and you can sign up to come…or just show up. It just costs 27.50 on line or 32.50 at the door. Come one, come all as long as you are over 21.
This Week @ Liberty – February 11, 2020
The intakes are s-l-o-w-l-y picking up, with bunnies and hummingbirds leading the list. We got in a new California condor – lead poisoning again – and we added a new non-releasable golden eagle to the Education team. We’re still doing projects to make this the best year ever, and the hope is that our annual “Sippin’ the Spirit of the Southwest” this weekend is another resounding success! Let’s see what the last two weeks looked like…
One would think that after all we’ve done over the years in terms of public education on the concept of “Protected Species” that this type of occurrence would be very rare. But unfortunately, one would be wrong. This red tailed hawk was brought in with multiple wounds from being targeted with “bird shot,” the small pellets used for hunting birds like doves. This type of ammunition is also effective on larger birds, as we see far too often.
(Look for 2 photos)
On a recent “Vet night”, several animals were examined and treated including these newly born cottontail bunnies. In many cases, the small bunnies we take in have been removed from their mothers by people who mistakenly believe they have been abandoned. Unless you know the mother has been injured or killed, it’s usually better to leave them alone so the mother can return later and feed them when they need it. The ruddy duck presented a wing injury, the barn owl is almost ready to go outside, and the kestrel had some kind of impairment to his flying ability. Our volunteer vets do a wonderful job evaluating and treating all the different birds and animals that show up at our window.
(Look for 4 photos)
In addition to wing wrapping, leg splinting, and surgeries, the birds in our care also get things like beak and talon “coping” (trimming and shaping) to ensure proper shape and length when the bird is released. We also check banding information when birds come in that have been banded at other facilities so the data can be sent to them. This little sharp-shinned hawk was tagged at a facility in Nevada.
(Look for 3 photos)
We received a new golden eagle for our Education team. As Jan writes: “We have a new golden eagle that has been approved to our permit. She is a very large female, 12.5 pounds. Her name is Brienne nickname Bri. She is a bird that was an electric shock and suffered nerve damage to the wing and cannot fly.” She will be a great addition to the Education Team. This also takes some pressure off Anasazi who has leg issues at times.
(Look for 4 photos)
Another California condor arrived recently. He was brought down to us by the Peregrine Fund after the bird was captured up north of the Kaibab. The treatment for lead poisoning involves cleaning out the crop which stops working as a symptom of the lead affecting the involuntary muscles. Then injections of a chemical which binds with the lead in the bloodstream allows it to be removed by the body. This is done over several days after which the bird needs to rest for a period of days. Each treatment requires one person to hold the bird, one to hold the head (to protect the other two people), and one to administer the chelation and provide fluids. Unfortunately, this time-consuming process takes place during breeding season meaning this bird will not be able to breed this year.
(Look for 8 photo)
In our continuing efforts to keep the facility looking good (and on budget!), we are doing some leveling and re-contouring of the water detention basin north of the 180ft flight enclosure. Preliminary earth moving took place last week. In addition, we have acquired some goats which will, it is hoped, keep the “volunteer foliage” from encroaching on the paths and enclosures in the desert biome areas at Liberty Wildlife. As of this writing, the first two are here and seem to be adapting well and performing their task with gusto! We are happy to have this all natural and sustainable alternative to traditional landscaping techniques and equipment.
(Look for 3 photos)
Posted by Terry Stevens
Operations Director