Megan Mosby
Executive Director
Wishes for Wildlife – Get your tickets – they’re free!
The countdown has begun for this year’s Wishes for Wildlife celebration/fundraiser. There’s less than 12 days left for the actual day, but our unique approach to the fundraiser actually started last Saturday. Let me explain. Instead of a one-day onsite event, we are allowing our supporters to host their own Wishes for Wildlife mini-parties. The first of these happened on Saturday, and saw our education ambassadors and their handlers present a program at an 80th birthday celebration in Gilbert. The Liberty Wildlife team joined the beginning of the party to greet guests and to ‘show off’ these stunning wildlife educators. The guests were wowed and surprised and eager to extol the creative addition to the birthday party…and you know what? You could do that also.
Next Saturday our Wishes for Wildlife “party/educator team” will join a neighborhood party in Tempe where they will show off their wildlife creatures to an audience of all ages as part of an annual neighborhood barbeque. Our team will introduce the human neighbors to their wildlife neighbors. How perfect is that? This is all a part of the new format for Wishes for Wildlife — with celebrations extending from October to next May. It makes it pretty easy to find a time when you might already be planning a get together with family, friends, or workmates and incorporate wildlife into the action. Plan your own event today!
Our new fundraising model spans the year – and doesn’t depend on one night. Though we do have one private party scheduled for October 21st, the actual night of our event. Another party ensues later in November, with more to come throughout the winter and spring. Think about an opportunity you might have to entertain guests and then add a wildlife element. For a mere $750 (an extra $250 more if you want an eagle to come) you can have the Liberty Wildlife educators and ambassadors show up at your party. They will greet and entertain your guests, answer questions your guests might have and allow for photos to be taken in a group or individually. They will then figuratively fold up their tents and tables and leave your party with plenty of conversation. You have to admit that is a unique model for a fundraiser. It is a win, win for everyone. But, you must purchase your party now to be a part of Wishes for Wildlife, 2023. Plan your own event today!
This is simple to do. Follow the link to register for a party at your home, local park, or office. And, while you are at it register to participate in the online silent auction. It’s FREE to check things out. And you can also follow the link to watch a video featuring Liberty Wildlife volunteers. Get an inside look at the workings of this great organization.
There are so many ways to participate that you just can’t lose. You can introduce friends and family to an organization you love. You can support the mission of Liberty Wildlife, and if you are the lucky ones, you might walk away with some pretty cool items (you don’t want to miss the amazing trip packages!) It’s all part of our biggest fundraiser of the year – the event that makes the rest of our work possible.
Remember… IT IS FREE to register and view the auction items! As you receive this, there are 11 days left and counting until Wishes for Wildlife; however, you can peruse the auction ahead of time to get an idea of what items you will bid on when the auction opens on Wednesday, October 18th…get a jump on it!
This Week @ Liberty – October 10, 2023
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Playing make-believe and getting dressed up, eating loads of candy, and seeing everyone else’s costumes are by far some of my favorite things to do (and yes, I will absolutely be in costume for work this year!). But did you know there are all kinds of tales about birds on All Hallows Eve? Some Native American tribes believe crows are shape-shifters; in German mythology, witches rode ravens, not brooms; in traditional Celtic homes, ravens were strongly associated with war, death and the battlefield; there are stories about other animals, too, of course, but most of them tend to deal with our corvid friends (most likely due to their dark, black feathers, their frightful calls, and their gruesome eating habits).
A quick google search, and you’ll find tons of tales about superstitious beliefs people have about birds, and what they used to do to ward off evil spirits on Halloween. While thankfully, we know most of those stories to be untrue; it still makes for some fascinating reading!
The Traveling Osprey
The phrase “it takes a village” is significant in wildlife rehab, too. Because it certainly takes a village of staff, volunteers, and civilians to make Liberty Wildlife go round.
It’s exactly how this Osprey was brought to our door. Found in Lake Havasu by a fellow wildlife rehabber, she made the trek down to Cottonwood to drop him off to one of our many rescue/transport volunteers. Then, from Cottonwood, our rescuer drove down to meet me in Anthem, where I was able to grab him and then bring him in for our Midwestern veterinarians, and their students, to assess.
Unfortunately, this large raptor had been stuck in a fence for an extended period of time, and though there are no fractures to either wing, it does appear he has some soft tissue damage. For now, he’s resting in ICU and taking anti-inflammatories to help heal the tissue for a hopeful release back near Lake Havasu when the time comes.
Of course, if you’re out looking for these birds of prey anytime soon, you’ll want to be sure you’re near a body of water. Ospreys are the only hawk that eats exclusively fish! They can’t dive more than three feet to get them, though, so they’ll usually gravitate towards areas with shallow water (but that doesn’t mean they won’t find bigger ‘ponds’ to make their catch).
In fact, these birds are well known (and seen) around Tempe Town Lake; I highly recommend taking a day trip out to spot them!
Releases @ Liberty Wildlife
We love releases here at Liberty Wildlife; it means our work is done, and the animals we’ve cared for have thrived enough to get back out into the wild. What’s more, we have some awesome ‘real estate’ right here on property for several of our friends who’ve come in recently.
You may remember a previous blog article about the Long-Nosed Snake who had some of his insides on the outside of his body. The Midwestern veterinarians and their students did surgery to fix the issue, and, well, he healed wonderfully. And, with only a little bit of scarring where his stitches were, he was in great shape to be released at our wetlands right on site. Dr. Bautista found a nice, shady spot, and freed him into the shrubs, where he was quick to slither in and hide away.
That brings us to our other friend, the Sonoran Mud Turtle. After receiving some antibiotics and ensuring his weight stayed well, he’s also been released at the wetlands. And, if you’re not careful, he looks just like a rock (which is wonderful camouflage for our new roommate). They’re omnivorous, too, eating things from snails to tadpoles and plant material, which makes our wetlands a perfect home.
Lastly, we have a Garter Snake who made an unfortunate friend with a weed whacker. Thankfully, he was brought in to Liberty Wildlife quickly, where the Midwestern veterinarians and students were able to do an emergency surgery to stitch together. After just a few weeks, the stitches came out, and he was released in our wetlands, which offer a perfect hiding spot for this little snake.
Notable Mentions
As always, thanks for making it here! Even though we’re slowing down on the hospital side, there’s still quite a bit of happening! Which is great for all of you, because that means more random pictures from me!
Without further ado, here are this week’s notable mentions:
A Flammulated Owl was found in someone’s pool and brought to Liberty Wildlife for care (2 pictures)
A Red-Tailed Hawk makes a quick flyover (2 pictures)
Interviews take place at the wetlands for our upcoming fundraiser, Wishes for Wildlife (1 picture)
Volunteer Ceci presents Venus the Barn Owl at PVCC during a conservation class (1 picture)
A Coot released at the Salt River by Dr. Goe and students made a quick getaway into the water (3 pictures)
Remember Public Hours has now changed times to 10am-1pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; make sure to come say hi and see all your favorite animal ambassadors, including an eagle feeding and a flight show!
Until next time!
Posted by Acacia Parker
Public Outreach Coordinator