A Look Back at Wild Care 2021 A Year of Challenges and HOPE |
My name is Eva, I am Wild Care's Director of Outreach, Marketing and Events since December., 2021. As we look back on the year that was 2021, the old R.E.M. song "It's the End of the World as We Know It, and I feel Fine" comes to mind. It was not the return to the way things used to be, but it did give us new opportunities to find joy in the things we may have overlooked otherwise. Many of us spent more time outdoors, walking, hiking, gardening. Even working from home was made more interesting with a bird feeder outside the window.
Looking back at the stories from 2021 to select for this e-news, it became clear to me that this was a busy year for us at Wild Care helping to treat and release over 1,700 animals. Each animal bringing with it challenges and hope. We are there for each animal no matter how small, 365 days a year, but exist because of you. Your calls help us respond when help is needed, and your generosity helps us provide care needed to successfully return them to the wild. 2021 brought many animals through our doors including a nursery full of orphaned baby animals in spring, and dozens of storm weary birds rescued from an October Nor 'Easter. Here's a look at some of Wild Care's wonderful success stories of 2021. We are so grateful for your support and wish you health, hope and happiness in the new year!
Eva Carbonaro, Director of Outreach, Marketing and Events |
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JANUARY 2021 This female Surf Scoter was rescued by Provincetown Police Department with deep wounds on her chest. We were not sure she would make it, but after 2.5 months of rehabilitation by our dedicated animal care staff, she made a full recovery and was released. Bon voyage, beautiful duck!
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MAY 2021 We introduced an orphaned gosling into an existing family of Canada Geese in Provincetown. It was a success! The geese now have a big brother/sister. We are thrilled with this outcome!
Also in May... Rescue volunteer Jayne Dembowski Fowler and her daughter Emily, rescued 10 Mallard ducklings from a storm drain, and successfully reunited them with their mom.
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| FEBRUARY 2021 A wind storm beached an immature Atlantic Puffin and stranded it in the marsh at Sandy Neck Barnstable. The puffin was very thin and lacked waterproofing. He was given meals of large smelt, and received swim therapy in a warm water tub, and had a heat lamp and fan in his kennel allowing the bird's feathers to dry more quickly and encourage preening. He was released back to the wild thanks to the skilled and compassionate work of our amazing animal care team at Wild Care.
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MARCH 2021 This Great Black-backed Gull (nicknamed Jimmy) was found wet at the high tide line on a beach in Provincetown. This sweet gull presented with a wing droop, pronounced weakness & severe anemia. Our great staff treated 'Jimmy" for anemia and provided supportive care until he was ready to rejoin his beach buddies and we are thrilled to share he has been successfully released!
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APRIL 2021 This Great Horned Owlet was found on the ground in Brewster too young to be out of the nest. The bird suffered a fractured ulna from the fall. The wing was wrapped and stabilized to allow it to callus properly and with lots of supportive care this young owl's wing is healed! Now at the "branching" age, where he is out of the nest, and clambering around on branches, he has been reunited with his parents.
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JUNE 2021 We released several boxes of squirrels that were brought to us orphaned, and hand raised by our caring and skilled staff. It's a great feeling to get these babies back in the wild! (This youngin' had many more weeks before it was released into the wild!) |
JULY 2021 Wild Care Staff Wildlife Rehabilitator Karen Eldridge, joined Cam Pressey and Carly Glick, shorebird field assistants with Mass Audubon Coastal Waterbird Program to release this Common Tern that was found entangled in fishing line on Quitnesset Beach, Chatham. The bird was weak from not being able to hunt prey. Fortunately, it did not suffer any major injuries, and made a full recovery. He was then taken by boat to a Common Tern staging area on Middle Island and joined other terns in the wild.
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AUGUST 2021 This handsome American Toad's fractured leg was splinted and bandaged by our caring and skilled animal care staff, and after a full month in our care the toad made a full recovery.
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| SEPTEMBER 2021 This beautiful Common Eider was found grounded in a business lot in Falmouth. The bird was thin but strong with no obvious injuries. After several weeks in our care, the bird gained weight, was waterproof and finally began diving in our Seabird Therapy pools.
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OCTOBER 2021 The Bomb Cyclone brought us over a dozen storm birds including over 8 Northern Gannets, a Great Shearwater that was blown into bushes in Provincetown, a Red-tailed Hawk that was downed in the storm in Chatham, suffering from rodenticide poisoning, and a Pied-billed Grebe.
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NOVEMBER 2021 Another Northern Gannet storm bird was released at First Encounter Beach in Eastham. It took a few minutes for the bird to realize he was free to go, then he turned to the water and took off! |
| DECEMBER 2021 This gorgeous Common Loon was rescued from a road in Truro with abrasions on her feet. She made a full recovery, and was happy to go!
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Travel with Wild Care in May and Discover the Wildlife and Wonder of Scotland |
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| Join Wild Care on our next travel adventure to Scotland. We will view the largest Northern Gannet colony in the world, and also see White-tailed Eagles, shags, puffins, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. This trip is a significant fundraiser for Wild Care, and we hope that you will join us!
Contact: Susan Griffin Susan's Custom Tours & Travel 774-238-2332
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Donate a Valentine’s Meal for Garv and Receive a Personalized Valentine! |
Show Wild Care’s turtle-ly awesome turtle Garv some love by treating him to a special Valentine’s Day meal. Starting Feb 4th through midnight Feb. 13th, make a donation of $10 to Wild Care on our website, and include your name or the name of someone special, and we will send you a personalized Valentine from Garv to post and share with your friends. Then join Garv virtually on Facebook live at noon on February 14th as he enjoys his feast.
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Stephanie Ellis, Wild Care Executive Director named Keynote Speaker for the Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Association of Massachusetts Annual Conference March 12 and 13th.
Stephanie Ellis, Wild Care Executive Director will be the Keynote Speaker for the Wildlife Rehabilators' Association of Massachusetts - WRAM Annual Conference. March 12 & 13, 2022. The conference will be virtual and registration opens soon. You do not have to be a member or a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator to attend.
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Check out our Amazon and Chewy WISH LISTS and donate much needed supplies to help the animals being cared for at Wild Care. |
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Help Wildlife While You Shop on Amazon Go to amazonsmile.com and choose Wild Care Cape Cod as your charity. Get the same great items at the same prices, and with each purchase Wild Care receives a donation at no additional cost to you. |
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10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642
When in Doubt Please Call Us 508-240-2255 We Are Here To Help!
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