WILDLIFE-RESCUE.ORG / SUMMER 2020
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WILDLIFE-RESCUE.ORG / SUMMER 2020 Dear Members, But what do we really unwell, and had given birth Consider the cow. Here know about this giant to six other calves during is a “common” animal, bovine? Though rarely her short life. She was known by all, easily considered, the cow, like worn out. She barely had identified, featured in all animals, has personality. enough milk for her new nursery rhymes and The more cows you are baby, but once she had children’s books and often privileged to know the licked her clean and her seen peacefully grazing in greater your understanding calf was standing solidly rural pastures. For many of how complex, intensely on her gangly legs, she did around the world, the cow intelligent and graciously her best to let her nurse is thought of only as a gregarious they are. I until she was no longer “food animal”; for others have been fortunate in hungry. Because she was some cows are considered that I have known and still not well cared for, mother sacred. Tragically, know a great many cows. and her newborn were countless cows only know I will tell you the story of given no shelter from the “life” in a feed lot or one of these. chilly rain. It was three days confined simply to produce The life of Buttercup Cow before the sun warmed milk. Still others are used began on a rainy spring — as “plow animals.” day; her mother was old, Cont’d to page 3: Lynn’s Letter
That Time of Year Again: Baby Season
Wildlife Rescue faces a busy baby season every Spring and Summer and
this year even more so. Record numbers of animals have arrived—more
than 600 above last year at this time. As of late May we have taken in
over 4,500, most of them tiny orphans. Due to the health and safety of
our staff and apprentices, we took the difficult step of haulting all
OUR MISSION
volunteer assistance during the pandemic. However, there are still other
To rescue,
ways you can help wildlife.
rehabilitate, and Many of the youngsters we receive are unnecessarily
release native brought in for fear they have been abandoned. This
wildlife, and to is rarely the case as mothers are extremely dedicated
provide sanctuary, to caring for their babies. Fawns are most often
individualized care, the victim. Deer leave their fawns hidden in a safe
and a voice for location for up to 14 hours at a time because they
other animals are safer being kept away from the rest of the herd
in need. while mother browses. She will return, feed the fawn, and usually move
them both to a new location.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If you find a fawn and are concerned that he may have been abandoned,
Lynn Cuny,
there are signs to look for. If the fawn is laying on his stomach curled up
Founder/President
and quiet but alert, the mother is still caring for him and likely close by.
MajGen. Chris Divich (Ret.), Chair
If the fawn is in an unsafe location, such as near a busy street, you can
Cathy Amato
Sissy Sailors
gently move him several feet from where he was found.
There are also signs that the fawn has truly been abandoned: If he is
CONTACT US laying on his side and not alert, or if he is pacing and calling out, or if the
wildlife-rescue.org fawn is visibly injured or covered in fire ants. If you see one of these signs,
info@wildlife-rescue.org the baby does need to be rescued.
P.O. Box 369
Kendalia, Texas 78027 By helping spread this information, you can help save animals’ lives.
Phone: 830-336-2725 Babies’ best chance of survival is with their parents. Encourage people to
Fax: 830-336-3733
call our hotline first so we can determine if an animal is truly in need of
WRR Sherman Animal Care Complex
rescue before moving them.
1354 Basse Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78212 If you or someone you know is unsure of what to do when you encounter
a wild animal, please call our 24-hour hotline for assistance.
Search WRRTX on:
Sincerely,
Wildlife Rescue &
Kelly McCoy
Rehabilitation is a 501(c)(3) Director of Animal Operations
non-profit organization. We
rely on contributions
from individuals and
foundations.
Donate today at
Wildlife-Rescue.org
WRR 24-HOUR HOTLINE • 830-336-2725
2
Cont’d from page 1
Lynn’s Letter
the now sodden pasture
where mother and baby stood
chilled, muddy, and soaking
wet. As the day warmed and
the sun shoved aside the
clouds, the mother cow took
her calf to the driest spot she
could find; here thin patches
of grass provided sparse relief
from the sticky mud.
It was on this sun soaked
patch of green where the
mother cow said her good A solitary sheep, who had suffered her own devastating loss and kept to a
byes to little Buttercup and peaceful spot in the pasture, became Buttercup’s constant companion.
it was here that the tiny calf
was found, two days later, or quick movement. The In the coming weeks little
keeping vigil by her dead young girl knew she could not Buttercup remained quiet and
mother. Buttercup was barely keep Buttercup but she had kept to herself; she stayed at
alive and had it not been for a nowhere to send her. When the back of her shelter and
determined young neighbor she called and asked if WRR would rarely venture to the
girl who found her, she would could take her I assured her front even when the curious
have joined her mother. the young cow would be in donkeys stood braying at her
The shivering newborn was good hands and would have gate. The calf wanted nothing
purchased for five dollars, cow friends in her new life. to do with her new home and
wrapped in thick, dry blankets new food or those who now
It was a hot, sunny summer
and taken home with the fed and cared for her. She
day when her trailer pulled
hope of saving her life. It was mourning the loss of her
into the sanctuary. The recent
was in the kitchen of a small friend and everything she had
rains had washed away the
farm house where Buttercup grown comfortable with in her
brown landscape and left us
and the teenaged girl spent short life. We offered her toys,
with lovely pale green grass in
every waking hour, slept side stuffed animals, interesting
all our pastures. The resident
by side on the linoleum floor food items, and constant
elderly female sheep, four
during the nights, and where companionship but none of
donkeys, one mule, three
the near dead calf was slowly these made any impression on
goats, and two cows all stood
and patiently fed nourishing Buttercup. It was time to let
watching the arrival of a new
formula, had her long, thin her out into the pasture and
resident. Buttercup made her
legs massaged until sensation hope she and one of the other
presence known with baritone
returned and where these two farmed animals would get to
moos as her large, brown eyes
became best friends. know each other.
peered out from the trailer.
In the coming days Buttercup We let her out of the truck and This would not be so easy.
regained her strength and made her comfortable in one On her first day out when
was able to stand but she of the barns where she and approached by an elderly
remained shy and easily her rescuer could be alone to
frightened by every sound say good-bye. —
Cont’d to page 4: Lynn’s Letter
3
Cont’d from page 3: Lynn’s Letter time to explore the very back
of the grassy terrain, which
donkey, Buttercup froze in was a particularly peaceful
place, stood rock still, and spot. There was shade from
would barely breathe while the the warm sun, the hackberry
donkey sniffed and nuzzled trees provided shelter from
her soft coat. She knew if she the wind, and the grass was
remained motionless he would dense and soft where a spring
eventually leave, which he ran underground.
did. Later that same day one This was a preferred place of
of the rambunctious pygmy an elderly female sheep who
goats came bounding up. He had come to WRR after losing
pounced and bounced and her entire herd to disease.
bleated out a welcoming hello She had miraculously survived
but the calf only stared out but life held little for her after
into space, once again hoping such a devastating loss. She
this newest visitor would kept to herself and seemed to
please go away and leave her be at peace here in this part
alone. In no time the tiny goat of the pasture. On this sunny,
had given up; he found more A pygmy goat bounced up wanting to summer day the old sheep
engaging activities with the play, but Buttercup just wanted to be did not even seem to mind
other goats. left alone. that her solitude had been
Day two was another invaded by a lonely, frightened
challenge for the calf. We let calf. When I found her there,
week Buttercup seemed to
one of the resident cows into Buttercup did not move. She
give up. She spent each day
her pasture, a young bull who did not run but only raised
in her shelter, munching on
had been with us for a year. her soft, brown head, looked
hay, alfalfa and oat treats until
He was quick to stride over to into my eyes, nuzzled her new
nightfall when she would step
the female calf, rub his large, companion and fell asleep.
outside and fall asleep alone
black nose on the top of her with the dark, star-filled sky From that day on Buttercup
head and send her bolting overhead. and the old sheep were
back to her shelter where she friends. Where you found
remained for the rest of the The following day her food
one, you would surely find the
day. Almost everyone, with the was untouched and she could
other. They ate, sunbathed,
exception of the elderly sheep, not be found in or near her
and slept together for an
had come forward to greet shelter or anywhere in the
entire year. On the day when
Buttercup but she had chosen upper pasture, I worried she
the elderly sheep died,
not to make a friend of any of had managed to get stuck
Buttercup was there, standing
these. somewhere and could not get
by, vigilant, loving, ever
free or had simply become
Life did not look rosy for faithful to the one friend who,
lost in her new surroundings.
Buttercup; she had been sent when she was lost and afraid,
The pasture was several acres
off to this strange place with accepted her and helped her
and there were only a few
all these strange, new animals accept her new life at WRR.
areas where she could have
and new people and she just wandered in amongst the oak
could not seem to fit in. It trees and decided to stay put.
was my hope that she simply But she was nowhere in the
needed more time. After stands of live oaks; she was
three more days of encounters nowhere along the side fence
similar to those earlier in the lines or in the tall grass. It was
4
Celebrate
Father’s
Day!
Sunday, June 21
OWL
PARENT
Reuniting Families Clockwise: Owlet stranded on
roof; makeshift box-nest placed
in tree with owlet inside; owl
In early April a violent parents return and find owlet.
thunderstorm passed through
Bulverde. The strong winds
and rain knocked a nest with tree. To make sure the nestling
a baby owl in it from a tree was safe, and to ensure his
over someone’s home. The parents had come back, the Mothers are often the first to
following day the resident dedicated rescuer set up a be recognized when it comes
found the owlet perched camera to keep watch. After to raising kids, but let’s not
alone on top of her house a couple of days of closely forget to give fathers credit
and immediately knew he monitoring the nest, she was where credit is due.
didn’t belong there, so she ecstatic to capture the parents
In honor of Father’s Day,
contacted WRR. returning to care for the
celebrate the outstanding
We advised that she create nestling, which she recorded
animal dads who go to
a makeshift nest using a box on video and shared with us.
great lengths for their young,
lined with bedding and secure During this time of year whether it’s protecting them
the box high enough in a tree stories like this one provide
from threats, keeping them
so the owlet would be safely an important lesson for us all.
warm and fed, or socializing
out of reach of other animals If you find a fallen baby bird
them through play.
and humans. This would or other animal in need, there
allow the parents to find the are usually steps you can take To show appreciation and
youngster and continue caring to ensure they are able to love for everything fathers
for him. continue their life in the wild do, give him a very special
The resident was more as nature intended. By helping gift of one of our Wild
than happy to do anything a young animal, you will likely Animal Sponsorships.
necessary to reunite the owlet have the unique opportunity
to witness the devotion wild Learn more about sponsoring
with his parents. WRR sent a
parents have towards their a wild animal today at www.
volunteer to her home to help
young and help reunite wildlife wildlife-rescue.org/support/
and they placed him in the
families. sponsor-a-wild-animal/.
secured nest high up in the
5M AR K YO U R
Calendar!
All events will be held online
until further notice. More
information at www.wildlife-
rescue.org/get-involved/
specialevents/
~ Wednesdays in July ~
Storytime with Lynn
WRR Enrichment Supply Drive
Recap: May 2020
~ August 13 ~
Q&A with Lynn
~ September 4 ~
National Wildlife Day
Over seventy individuals participated in our annual Enrichment Supply
~ Sept 25–Oct 2 ~ Drive. During the week-long effort, we asked for donations of toys, feeders,
Food Drive for Wildlife assorted supply items, and funds to assist us in providing physically and
mentally stimulating items for the wildlife who live at the sanctuary.
~ October 13 ~
As always, you met our expectations with generous responses. We received
Wild (LIFE) Night In
over $5,000 in monetary and in-kind donations. In comparison to 2019’s
Drive, we more than quadrupled the monetary donations and significantly
~ October 24 ~
increased the value of enrichment items. We are immensely grateful for all
Nature Walk & of the support we received. These gifts were put to immediate use and the
Park Clean Up animals are already benefiting from your compassionate gestures.
Although the Drive has ended, enrichment items are essential to the well-
~ December 1 ~
being of wildlife in sanctuary. So if you weren’t able to participate but would still
#Giving Tuesday
like to help, please visit www.wildlife-rescue.org/support/wish-list/.
~ December 5 ~ Be sure to follow us on social media for pictures and videos of the
animals using the donated items.
Artistic Animals
~ December 11–17 ~
Holiday Giving Drive
6Hawk Rescue
As members of WRR you
often hear of the work we do
rescuing wild animals who are
found ill, orphaned or injured.
Every year there are more of
these animals, many living in
urban settings, who need our
help. As you know our rescue
efforts also extend well beyond
the bounds of San Antonio
as we are often called to
assist animals in the Texas Hill
Country.
There are an abundance of
lakes, ponds, creeks and Top left: Hawk tangled in fishing line found by WRR volunteer John Pace
other areas that are ideal and brought in for rehab. Bottom left: John releases hawk. Right: hawk
taking flight.
habitat for wildlife scattered
throughout the counties that
are contiguous to San Antonio. be set free, John took him back
Unfortunately for the wildlife to the river and let him go. Midnight to Midnight
who have long called these
natural areas home, these are
Monofilament line is often FRIDAY,
death to wildlife; everyone
seen as recreational sites for from turtles to ducks, geese,
SEPTEMBER 11
thousands of people. deer, songbirds, and raptors
It was over a beautiful river are found tangled in this thin,
where a red-tailed hawk was strong, nearly invisible strand
found hanging, tangled in struggling to survive. Most
fishing line. It was his good waterways are used for fishing
fortune that he was found by and where there is fishing you
John Pace, a WRR volunteer. will find this life-threatening
John knew exactly what to do. line carelessly discarded just
He contacted the sanctuary waiting for someone to get
and in no time, Leon Ruttley, tangled in it. WRR receives 24-Hour
WRR’s Rescue Coordinator, and hundreds of calls every year
John worked to pull together from people who have found a #BigGive2020!
all the necessary equipment wild animal entangled in fishing
to rescue the stranded hawk. line. Many lose limbs, some lose
John returned to the river, saws their lives and others, like this Donate to WRR to
and small boat in tow, made his hawk, are fortunate and find benefit and protect wildlife
way out to the hawk, trimmed the help they need at WRR.
the necessary limbs to liberate Give during the special time
the bird and brought him safely slots to enhance your gift
in to our wildlife hospital for Photographs by Jay Kazen:
treatment. The bird spent Pages 2 and 3, page 4 top, and
some weeks under our care page 6. www.jaykazen.com. THEBIGGIVESA.ORG
and on the day he was able to Photographs by John Pace:
Page 7.
7NONPROFIT ORG
PO Box 369, Kendalia, TX 78027 U.S. POSTAGE
wildlife-rescue.org | info@wildlife-rescue.org
P. (830) 336-2725 | F. (830) 336-3733
PAID
PERMIT NO. 525
Tax ID 74-2012897 SAN ANTONIO, TX
Address Service Requested
All Volunteer Trainings and Young Friends Exploration
Sessions will be held online until further notice. For more
information email Robert Burns, Volunteer and Outreach
Coordinator, at rburns@wildlife-rescue.org.
Upcoming
Volunteer Trainings
WRR Sherman Animal Care Complex, San Antonio
or WRR Sanctuary, Kendalia
A Wildlife & Conservation Education Club for Ages 8-12
Members explore different topics and activities
Saturday, July 11, 10 am–12 pm
ranging from wildlife rehabilitation to natural
history, advocacy, and environmental protection Introductory Orientation in San Antonio
with volunteer opportunities each month. Saturday, July 18, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Introductory Orientation in Kendalia
Upcoming Exploration Sessions
June 24: Wildlife in Your Backyard Saturday, August 1, 10 am–12 pm
July 15: Where is Nature? Introductory Orientation in San Antonio
Register today for Young Friends events or Volunteer Trainings
www.wildlife-rescue.org/services/wildlife-education/ • (830) 336-2725
or www.wildlife-rescue.org/get-involved/volunteer/You can also read
