Megan Mosby
Executive Director
I am channeling the town crier, so listen up. We are about 47 days away from our big event, Wishes for Wildlife, and I am putting it out there, that you could help us make this a big success even if attending the very fun event isn’t in the cards for you. How? You might ask. Let me tell you.
We have our usual assortment of fun and exciting items to present to those in attendance and to those who might be bidding on-line. In addition to these, we are adding a new curiousity — a kind of “gift card tree.” Of course this is dependent on us having a great assortment of gift cards “leaves”. And I only have a few of my own to add to the mix. Do you have some fun or interesting gift cards you’d like to add? Maybe something stuffed away in an old purse or wallet. Or maybe you forgot about the ones you stashed in the kitchen catch-all drawer… and it is still there awaiting a better, higher good. You can add these to our tree and donate that to our surprise item that will magnify the sum total of all cards donated…and that you could bid on even if you aren’t present…virtually…on line…the wonders of technology.
Or, perhaps you have a favorite restaurant, car wash, boutique and coffee shop that might be generous enough to donate a gift or gift certificate for wares in their shops or vittles in their kitchens. Our auction can always use these kinds of items along with other cool stuff of course. Traditionally the Wishes for Wildlife Silent and Live Auctions are both fun and beneficial and that is a very good combination. Good for the buyer and good for the mission of Liberty Wildlife.
And, while you are at it, you might want to take a look at attending the event. You can always buy individual tickets, and we will make sure you sit at a fun-filled table. Or, if you are very committed find a bunch of friends to buy tickets and sit together. If your work might be interested in a corporate table or sponsorship, ask them to step up to the plate.
This will be fun. And on October 26th, it will be Halloween themed, with costumes optional… yes, ghoulishly entertaining. Animals up close and personal, items to bid on, scrumptious food to devour, and a program full of surprises.
Now you tell me. What could be better? Whoooo could resist? Whooooo wants to be left out?
Nary a soul, that’s whoooooooo.
To donate an item or buy a ticket or table, go to www.libertywildlife.org/W4W/home. I’ll be watching for your help! Don’t disappoint me or the ghoul patrol will be unleashed.
OOOOOOOOH NOOOOOOOOOO
This Week @ Liberty – September 10, 2019
We are approaching the slow time of the year and hopefully it will coincide with a drop in temperatures. The intake total should break 9,000 by the end of the week, and if history is any indicator of what we can expect for the next three months, we will come very close to hitting 10K for the year, a somewhat dubious achievement. As always, as the season changes, the preponderance of intakes switches from tiny orphans to yearlings and juveniles who are now learning the skills to survive in an ever evolving environment. When babies used to hit the ground after branching out, the parents could protect and feed them as they grew into their feathers. Now, once out of the nest, they are beset by a sea of dogs, cats, kids, cars and pools, all designed to cause mischief. The upshot is, where previously we took in orphans, now we are getting some older birds who have been injured mixed in with a few late babies.
Let’s have a look…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too long ago, we got in a golden eagle from the north country. The bird was very thin and presented some signs of possible internal injuries, but she responded well to treatment. Last week, in preparation for her release into her former habitat, Tuk and Kyle from AZGFD came down to measure and band the bird. It is hoped that she will be released sometime soon, pending the results of her last blood tests.
Look for 1 picture
An orphan baby bird was brought to us recently that didn’t appear to be anything we usually get in. Besides being and orphan, he had a leg injury that required treatment. Susie applied the accepted fix to something this small: a piece of masking tape. It worked, as usual, and the little bird appears to have healed. It was subsequently identified as a baby cardinal, which is fairly uncommon in these parts.
Look for 4 pictures
Another little bird that recently arrived was this yellow warbler. We only seem to get warblers when the migration is in full swing which is a good indication of this process. Not only do the little birds have to negotiate hundreds or thousands of miles of travel, but they must do so over terrain and territories that are often overtly hostile to them complete with predators with whom they rarely have to deal. This little guy was lucky to have found his way to Liberty!
Look for 2 pictures
With so many volunteer vets present on Tuesday afternoon, “Vet Night” brings out a lot of varied species for treatment. In the last two weeks, in addition to a few kestrels and ravens, the doctors saw and treated a burrowing owl, a large Swainson’s hawk, a couple of Harris’ hawks, a few young red tails, a barn owl, and the Canada goose that has been in our care for a few weeks. It’s difficult to imagine the level of care that these wild animals receive at Liberty, – and totally without health care insurance! We cannot thank our volunteer vets enough…!
Look for 11 pictures
We have been treating a young Harris’ hawk for a few weeks now. He seems to have an eye issue that is not responding to treatment. Last week, Dr. Wyman again examined his eye and applied drops/ointment one more time in hopes of seeing improvement. This youngster might end up on our education team if he shows no improvement soon. He is otherwise healthy and would be a good candidate to become an animal ambassador in Education.
Look for 4 pictures
Another bird presented an eye problem recently. This one is a young red tail hawk. It appears one of his eyes is severely damaged and he is in danger of losing it. Last week Dr. Wyman did a physical exam to determine the extent of the damage. Normally a raptor requires binocular vision to be successful as a hunter and if the bird loses the eye, it would be at a disadvantage in the wild. But age is a factor and some hawks can learn to adapt to monocular vision. Time will tell…
Look for 3 pictures
Recently a lady brought in a baby pack rat she had rescued. It appears he was orphaned and needed a lot of help. After it was determined he actually was a native species, he began care under our baby mammal protocol. He was under the personal care of Laura Hackett, our mammal trainer and head of Research and Conservation Dept. When it becomes appropriate, he will possibly join our Education display collection in the interactive classroom.
Look for 2 pictures
One of the long time rehabilitators in the area, Darlene Donowick, had decided to move from the area due to health concerns. She has had a desert tortoise in her care for around 30 years but now, since “Roadway” is best kept in his native environment, she graciously donated him to Liberty. Since we lost “Grandpa” last month, we had room for this big, healthy (and YOUNG – he’s only 33!) guy on our Education team. They arrived last week with a tub full of food and other tortoise “goodies” and he immediately took to his new enclosure, walking into his new apartment and settling in. He will be a great addition to our team of desert tortoises, educating kids and adults alike about this fascinating species!
Thanks, Dar!
Look for 3 pictures
Posted by Terry Stevens
Operations Director