July 2015 Vol 5:3 The newsletter helping you follow your Wild Instincts.

Transcription

1 Welcome to INSTINCTS July 2015 Vol 5:3 The newsletter helping you follow your Wild Instincts. Loon Entanglements Already this summer we have visited the same lake twice in four weeks to untangle loons caught with fish hooks and fishing line. We ve had countless calls from people on their boats reporting more that we cannot get to rescue. This disturbing event is happening more frequently than even just a few years ago. The loon population is healthy and growing. The people population is healthy and growing. Unfortunately, the lakes they both occupy are not growing. This means people and loons are inhabiting the same space. Loons are becoming more used to people as part of their natural background. Anglers and fishing rods are everywhere. We need to find a way to co-exist. Here are some tips that will help: Working to remove a fish hook from a male loon s right cheek. He may have been trying to get a minnow that was on the hook. NEVER feed loons. Don t throw your minnows or live box fish to them. Watch them from a distance. Let them be wild. Trying to get really close to them just gets them more used to people which will create more conflicts. A hook completely through a loon s leg after someone on shore casted over her. DO NOT FISH near loons. Your tackle and bait can be very tempting to them to try to eat. It s also easy for them to just get tangled while swimming and not even actively pursuing your bait. If there is a loon in the vicinity, go somewhere else or stop fishing for a little while until the loon goes somewhere else. You re out on the lake to relax and have some fun. Watching a loon instead of actively fishing is fun and relaxing, too. If you do happen to catch a loon while you are fishing, DO NOT CUT THE LINE unless absolutely necessary. Cutting the line is most often a death sentence for the bird. It takes a great amount of effort, skill, time and luck to catch a loon that is entangled. Most often we have to wait until it s debilitated enough to allow us to capture it. Then it may be too late.

2 Culver s Share Night On June 17 th, Culver s in Rhinelander hosted a Share Night for Wild Instincts. They donated 10% of their sales from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Ruby came along and entertained diners on the patio. The rain skirted around us to make it a great evening. Over $500 was raised to help us help them! This loon died on the way to us. The loon pictured above was hooked in the tongue and had wrapped the line all the way around its bill so it couldn t open its mouth. People tried unsuccessfully for almost a week to catch it. It finally got so weak someone was able to catch it. It died on the ride to us. What should you do, if despite being careful, you accidentally hook a loon? Don t cut the line. If you can safely do so, try to land the loon with your landing net. Scoop it into the boat, but be careful of its sharp bill. Use your PFD as a shield. Once in the bottom of the boat, you can cover its head with a towel and call us. If you can t safely get the loon in your boat, try to beach it on shore. Once on land, loons are pretty helpless except they still have that sharp bill they like to use. Call us. Wild Instincts is on call 24/7/365. Put our number in your phone so you always have it: It s easy to remember to get Wild friends help dial 362-WILD (9453). It s best for an experienced wildlife rehabilitator to evaluate the loon and any possible injury. It may be that it went for your bait because it is hurt in some way and your minnow was an easy meal or it may just need a hook removal and sent on its way. Only a professional can determine. Have fun on the water, but let s keep everyone, including loons, safe! Interns Kim and Tawny get Ruby situated on the patio near the drive-thru lane. Special thanks to all the Wild Instincts Volunteers who helped with Culver s Share night. You too, Ruby.

3 IN HONOR OF/IN MEMORY OF Donations have been received ~In Memory of Jack Kellett ~In Memory of John McCormick ~In Memory of Art Larson ~In Memory of Jesse Callahan ~In Memory of Nancy Robinson ~In Honor of the wedding of John & Pim Mueller ~In Honor of Erich & Megan Schleicher's wedding ~In Memory of Di Nylund WANTED: Fish and Venison We generally get most of our fish from ice anglers over the winter. The last two consecutive winters were not conducive for lots of ice fishing. This has left us with a deficit of fish. Add to that an influx of patients that eat fish and viola, we are DESPERATE for fish. Whole fish is wonderful. Frozen fish, too. This is a wonderful excuse to have the enjoyment of going fishing without having the work of cleaning them. Get out and fish for a wild patient! In addition, if you are looking for space in your freezer, we are extremely low on venison! Human-Caused The vast majority of our patients are admitted due to some interaction with humans. Maybe they were hit by a car or accidently hit a window, or even ate weed killer. Those are human caused events, even if they weren t done intentionally. In the last couple years, we have been seeing an increase in the number of INTENTIONAL human caused admissions, especially among turtles. In a two day span earlier this year, we admitted a painted turtle and a snapping turtle, both with intentional injuries. A painted Western Painted Turtle. Staff took turns scraping the paint off with their fingernails. Someone drove a 4¼ nail into a Snapping Turtle s shell. In both of these particular cases, it was impossible to know when or where the events took place so law enforcement is at a dead end. Both these turtles recovered from their injuries and were released. We have other examples of this type of behavior towards turtles in which the turtles were not released. If you see or hear of anyone intentionally harming wildlife, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. It will take all of us working together to end this kind of activity.

4 Bratwurst for Bunnies? Those of you who shop at local Trig s grocery stores will be happy to know it is now possible for 3% of your purchases to go to Wild Instincts. Trig s recently announced their new Scrip program. This program replaces placing your receipts in a bin designated for your favorite charity. Trig s will now provide us gift cards to sell to you. They are available in $50 and $100 amounts and are valid in any of Trig s five locations. We will have a few on hand to start as a trial basis. If you d like to order some, please give us hours to process. Those of you in areas other than Rhinelander, we d be happy to mail them to you, however, we would need payment by check in advance. No credit card or online payments with this program or it would defeat the fundraising aspect. By using the shopping cards you purchase from us, you ll be helping provide care for owls when you purchase those olives. You re going to buy groceries anyway, why not feed your wild side as well? UPDATE: Great Horned Owl vs Leghold Trap The day before Mother s Day he was caught in a trap. Father s Day he was released where he was found. We reported in the last newsletter about being called the day before Mother s Day regarding a Great Horned Owl with a #2 leghold trap on his right leg. We re happy to update that he healed very well and on Father s Day he was released back in his territory!

5 WISH LIST and AMAZON We are continually amazed and blessed by all those generous folks out there who take the time to check our list and go shopping. We d like to say a big THANK YOU for helping us help them, no matter who you are out there. Some even see a need and just respond without giving us a chance to list it on our wish list. Every time we receive an item to help our mission it gives us a great feeling. We cannot do this without you and your help. Some select items from our wish list: ~FISH, fresh or frozen, whole or fillets ~VENISON ~Treated 2x6 s (8 & 10 lengths) ~Paper Towels ~Liquid Hand Soap ~Dish Soap ~8 Utility Trailer ~Reusable K cup for Keurig machine for interns Here s a link to our Amazon Wish List if you d like to go wild shopping In Their Own Words Katie Youngberg Senior UWSP Waseca, MN Since starting my internship here at Wild Instincts I have had a vast array of experiences that I will cherish and bring with me in all my future endeavors. I came to Wild Instincts because of my passion of wildlife and my interest in a wildlife rehabilitation career path. I am a current senior at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a major in Wildlife Ecology Research and Management with minors in Captive Wildlife and Biology. I first learned about Wild Instincts and the work they do when I came to volunteer with the UWSP student organization Women in Natural Recourses. I remember having a great time with my friends as we fixed up enclosures for the animals and cleaned the facility after the busy summer season. It was after this fun filled day that I knew I would like to come back and become a part of the Wild Instincts Team. You DO NOT have to be member of Facebook to follow us on Facebook. You can follow all our stories, photos and videos without joining Facebook. You simply can t comment on them unless you are a member of Facebook. Click on the box to see for yourself. Katie feeding orphaned fawn. Coming in as a new intern I knew that I would learn an extensive amount about wildlife, but I never expected to learn so much else from Mark and Sharon. I truly appreciate the passions they have shared with me and my fellow interns. Who knew you would learn plant identification, basic

6 carpentry skills, and so much more as a wildlife intern? Some of my most memorable experiences so far at Wild Instincts include holding a bald eagle, bottle feeding fawns, seeing a fisher for the first time, hearing the squeaking noise a baby porcupine makes, and going on a late night loon rescue. Another experience that I loved was going to Lupine Fest with Mark and a fellow intern, Ashley. On this education endeavor we brought both Ruby and Amelia. This was the first time I had ever helped with an educational program with Wild Instincts. I had an absolute blast talking with the public about wildlife and the goals of our facility. I loved seeing the reactions on both children and adult faces when they realized that what I was walking around this on my hand was, in fact, a real life red-tailed hawk. I loved the excitement of everyone who came up to me and asked me questions about Ruby. This program helped me to realize I had a strong interest in education and teaching the public about wildlife. This summer has been an amazing whirl wind of awe, joy, pride, accomplishment, and some heartbreak. A person has to be truly passionate about wildlife and nature to do this type of job, and that passion is evident ever where you look in Wild Instincts. I m so grateful for the opportunity to experience all the highs and lows that come with wildlife rehabilitation. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the Wild Instinct Team. day much before most teenagers are usually enlightened by a career choice. I am one of the lucky ones. My path is rooted in horses, the four-legged beings that are never truly tamed. This gave me my first glimpse of wild eyes, instinctual movements, and having to set yourself in their mentality. My wild one came to me when I was only thirteen years old. He trusted no human nor horse, was suffering from debilitating bone diseases, as well as multiple metabolic syndromes. For the first three years he wouldn t look at me and through all the tears, a switch turned one day and the horse I didn t give up on couldn t keep his eyes off me. With all the long nights of working him, watching him barely able to walk, and alone in pasture; I now see a horse at the top of his herd and one who would run miles to greet me and only me. He showed me what I want to do with the rest of my life, and I truly believe somewhere, somehow I was born with the intention of helping the voiceless that are quite often overlooked. Ashley Hays Freshman, Iowa State Peotone, Illinois I ve been growing into my heart and the passion it consumes my life with from a very young age. I grew up questioning the moral standards of everything around me as well as seeing every being as an independent, working soul. I believe this allowed me to see who I was and am to this Ashley s first squirrel feeding. My studies at Iowa State University consist of Animal Ecology with an emphasis in wildlife care and veterinary medicine. With hopes of admission to veterinary school along with setting my eyes on a field early, I ventured into taking jobs outside of stables. During my first year away at school I worked at the sheep-teaching farm on campus and now find myself here in

7 Rhinelander, Wisconsin working for the real wild ones that are still finding their way along land apart from humans. Being here has not only been an eye-opening experience to the lives these secretive animals live but also just how much humans play a role in the lives of these creatures. We have an effect on the natural world around us in more ways than most think possible, and with this, I have learned that education is one of the best materials an organization can pursue with the community to drive a force of change. As an intern here at Wild Instincts, I am given the opportunity every day to strengthen my medical skills and husbandry knowledge for a wide variety of species. A normal day brings you exams, feedings, as well as questions you must learn to answer yourself. I am everyday assured by this internship that my life is lived for these animals and that I wouldn t want to live my life any other way. Quick Facts: Favorite Animals: young squirrels, songbirds, and fawns. Favorite Work Activity: emergency exams poisoned, and everything in between because of something us humans have done. It is very rewarding to be here and do what I can to help reverse the detrimental effects we have on wildlife and their habitats. Mark and Sharon have inspired me to become a wildlife rehabilitator. I really enjoy the chaotic schedule and the challenge of having to know about all of the natural history for the different patients that come in and how to figure out what treatment to give them. I feel very grateful for the opportunity to be back here for 8 months (I started in spring and am staying through fall!) learning all I can about wildlife rehabilitation. There is no better place to be an intern here in Wisconsin, they operate as a teaching hospital so we get hands-on training in all aspects and they have the permits to rehabilitate every species that can legally be rehabilitated in the state. I am enjoying every second of my time here at Wild Instincts! Tawny Liebe Graduate UWSP Scandinavia, WI I had my first taste of wildlife rehabilitation last fall here at Wild Instincts after graduating from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point with a degree in wildlife ecology. Coming into it then I thought it would be a fun experience but I had my heart set on working in the field and doing research for the DNR or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. My experience here ended up being life-changing for me in many ways. This job has a tendency to change you, to make you learn things about yourself. It is very high stress, fast paced, and unfortunately you see a lot of injuries and death. Most of the animals that come to us here are injured, orphaned, diseased, Amelia hangs out with Tawny. My favorite animals after last fall were definitely the squirrels. They are so funny when they scramble for that next dropperfull of formula and I love to watch them run around and play! Some of my other favorites from past experience are bears, otters, turkey vultures, and bobcats. After being here a few months during the busy season and seeing more animals some of my newer favorites are 13-lined ground squirrels, ravens (we got to interact with one that became a permanent resident at

8 the Raptor Education Group in Antigo!), and porcupines. I think that the raven is officially my favorite bird after interacting with the young one that we got in after he fell from the nest and hurt his wing to the point that he could not be released back to the wild. At first I wasn t very good at tweezer feeding him- I was a very inexperienced raven mom. After a little while he clearly got frustrated with me, jumped to the front of his cage and tried to help me feed him! He was just so charismatic, talkative, and inquisitive. I loved spending time with him and still miss him dearly! I wonder what other patients we will get in during the rest of my time here, and if I will find any new favorite animals, although of course I love them all! Mark & Ruby and Paige & Amelia met Smokey Bear at the Rhinelander Public Library Species 1/1/-7/28/2015 American Crow 4 American Goldfinch 2 American Robin 23 American Toad 1 American Woodcock 2 Bald Eagle 16 Baltimore (Northern) Oriole 1 Barred Owl 4 Beaver 1 Big Brown Bat 9 Black Bear 7 Black-and-White Warbler 1 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Blanding s Turtle 1 Blue Jay 2 Bobcat 1 Broad-winged Hawk 2 Canada Goose 7 Cedar Waxwing 2 Chimney Swift 1 Chipping Sparrow 5 Common Grackle 4 Common Loon 6 Common Raven 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Deer Mouse 11 Downy Woodpecker 2 Eastern Chipmunk 3 Eastern Cottontail 49 Eastern Gray Squirrel 40 Eastern Kingbird 1 European Starling 12 Fisher 1 Flying Squirrel (northern/southern combined) 4 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Horned Owl 6 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Hermit Thrush 1 Herring Gull 1 Killdeer 3 Little Brown Bat 6 Mallard Duck 6 Meadow Jumping Mouse 2 Merlin 2 Midland Painted Turtle 1 Mourning Dove 9 Muskrat 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Northern Flicker 2 Northern Saw-Whet Owl 1

9 Osprey 1 Ovenbird 1 Pileated Woodpecker 3 Pine Siskin 5 Porcupine 3 Purple Finch 1 Raccoon 28 Red Squirrel 25 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Ring-necked Duck 1 River Otter 2 Rock Dove 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3 Ruffed Grouse 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Snapping Turtle 6 Swainson's Thrush 1 Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel 10 Trumpeter Swan 2 Turkey Vulture 2 Western Fox Snake 2 Western Painted Turtle 12 White-tailed Deer 29 Wild Turkey 4 Willow Flycatcher 1 Wood Duck 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Total 436 Thank You for Helping Us Help Them! Baby Meadow Jumping Mouse Events Calendar 3 rd Annual Bake Sale Saturday, Aug 8 from 8:00am- noon at Hodag Farmer s Market, Pioneer Park, Rhinelander. 3 rd Annual Wild for Wine & Cheese Cruise, Saturday, September 26 from 12:00 2:00pm. Wisconsin River Cruises, Rhinelander. Fawn cools itself on a sweltering hot day by standing in the sprinkler. To see a video of all the fawns playing in the sprinklers click HERE. On Sunday, Aug 9 th, Town of Pelican Community Club will have their Annual Picnic at the Pelican Town Hall. Part of the picnic profits will be donated to Wild Instincts.