CWC Youth Wildlife Rescue Blog

Here Are Some Of Our Fall Patients

2011-11-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

-Ruddy Duck
-Western Grey Squirrel that came in abandoned
-Northern Fulmar; very rare in Malibu
-Infant Pied-billed grebe
-Western Tanager
-Awesome Osprey
-290 lb male California sea lion suffering from malnutrition
-Burrowing owl that was abandoned
-A Brandt's cormorant getting a tube feeding of fluids
-Tiny Canada Goose that was the size of a Mallard
-A Bobcat with severe mange
-230 lb female California sea lion suffering from domoic acid toxicity and leptospirosis

Grey Squirrel Release

2011-11-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

The western grey was considered one of the most abundant mammals in the northwest in the 1920s, but by the 1930s an epidemic outbreak of mange decimated many populations in Washington. While the eastern grey and the eastern fox squirrels are capable of producing more offspring in times of abundance to compensate for population loss in lean times, the western grey appears unable to do so, thus limiting its ability to rebound from low populations. Additionally, unlike its eastern cousins, which breed twice a year, the western grey has one litter a year, with between three and five young per litter.
They are shy squirrels, who are dependent upon older mixed forests with a variety of oak and pine or oak and fir trees with interconnected tree canopies for food, cover, nesting sites, and arboreal travel. These squirrels generally nest in the top third of larger trees, building leaf and twig nests called drays, which they line with lichen, moss and bark shavings. They often build more than one nest, and alternate among them.

Favorite foods are pine nuts, acorns, nuts, berries, fungi, green vegetation and insects. The animals are generally non-territorial, but show a dominance hierarchy at food sites.

Western grays are a federal Species of Concern, but are not listed as threatened or endangered. Oregon considers them a State Sensitive Species, and Washington state considers them State Threatened. They are still hunted in California and Oregon. Conservation groups in Washington state have petitioned the federal government to provide an emergency listing for this species. Only time will tell whether these efforts will be sufficient to preserve this squirrel.

These two little guys experienced a bad fall from their nest and were brought in for our help. Months later, they are being released back into the wild. Enjoy!

Charlie's Story

2011-07-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

This is Charlie, a baby Northern Elephant seal. He was rescued on March 25, 2011 when a concerned citizen, Erik Cooper, called us about him. He was at Leo Carillo beach and thought Charlie had died. We reassured him that elephant seals sleep very soundly and not to worry. We asked him if he could stay with the animal until we arrived to keep people and dogs away from him. He happily obliged and even helped us rescue him. We found Charlie to be very lethargic, underweight and dehydrated. Thanks to Erik, Charlie was rescued and transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center for rehab. The staff there took very good care of him and much to everyone's joy, Charlie was released back into the wild on July 13, 2011. He weighed a mere 75 lbs when rescued and a very healthy 198 lbs. when he was released! Have a great life Charlie!!!

Wild Brunch Fundraiser at Gulls Way

2011-06-09T12:11:00.001-07:00

Come Join Us for CWC's Wild Brunch, Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Gull's Way Estate! It'll be a hoot=)

Some of our May patients

2011-06-02T13:34:00.001-07:00

These are some of the patients we are rehabilitating now. The first is a screech owl. The Western Screech Owl is a small, nocturnal, woodland Owl of western North America and is one of the west's more common owls at lower elevations. They are squat-looking owls that sit erect, with their plumage fluffed out, with the feet and legs obscured, and distinct ear tufts raised. The iris is bright yellow and the bill is gray to black, with tufts of bristly feathers around its base. The facial disk is bordered by black. The toes are yellow. Feathers are either mainly grayish or reddish-brown variegated dark and light, resembling a furrowed tree bark pattern. They use the variegated plumage as camouflage. When threatened, the bird stretches its body and tightens its feathers in order to look like a branch stub to avoid detection, but will take flight when it knows it has been detected.

The second picture is a female mallard duck. She was rescued from a shopping mall in Valencia. Her right leg was fractured and caused her to limp. Dr. Tom was able to put a "walking boot" type splint on it and she is doing well.

The third group of birds is Western Scrub Jay babies. Western scrub-jays are common through the American West, from the California coast through Oregon, southern Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and parts of Texas, mostly in lowland areas with oak and pinyon pine trees. The birds easily adapt to urban and suburban areas and are popular visitors to backyard feeders. Western scrub-jays do not migrate.

The fourth picture is of kestrels. Perhaps the most colorful raptor in the world, the American Kestrel is the most common falcon in North America. It is found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and in towns as well as wild lands.

Spring Patients and Rescues!

2011-04-23T18:39:00.001-07:00

We've been busy at the Wildlife Center! This little Guadalupe fur seal was very tiny when she was found. Her mom may have been chased into the water by people or dogs. When you see marine mammals on the beach, it's best not to approach them and call someone who can help them. Our hotline number 310-458-WILD.

Our baby skunk is making herself at home until she gets big enough for release. This is her cute end. You definitely wouldn't want to see the stinky end!

Our red-lored parrot, Meg was a victim of domestic violence. Her owners were charged with animal abuse. Our vet, Dr. Tom adopted her and brings her to the Center with him so we can all enjoy her.

This juvenile great horned owl is also doing very well. He's eating lots of mice!

This adult, female sea lion was rescued from Zuma beach. She was very skinny and didn't look like she was feeling very well. She also had an orange tag on her right, front flipper which means she has been in rehab before. The number on it told us she was released from the Care Center in Ft. MacArthur in November of 2010. We're hoping she does better this time around.

Last, but not least, this mama opossum and her five babies are getting ready to be released. By the time you read this, they will once again be free in the wild. This is the most rewarding part of our jobs at the Wildlife Center and a joy to witness!

Big Free-tail bat!

2011-02-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

On January 3, 2011, the California Wildlife Center got a very interesting rescue call. A family living in a high rise apartment building in Santa Monica had noticed a large bat on the outside of their 14th story window screen. It had been there for a few days and they were worried something was wrong. They called CWC and a team responded and rescued it. It was a Big Free-tailed bat (nyctinomops macrotis). Our first at CWC!

Big free-tailed bats roost mainly in crevices and rocks in cliff situations, although there is some documentation of roosts in buildings, caves, and tree cavities. Their weight ranges from 25-30 grams (ours was 16g upon arrival) and they have a wingspan of 17-18 inches. They are a seasonal migrant and a powerful flyer. Their only known doucmented predator is the owl. They forage almost entirely on large moths, but some data exists to document occasional foraging on other insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, leafhoppers, stinkbugs and flying ants.

Our bat did very well and was released back into the wild in Orange County closer to his kind.

Coyote Release 2010

2010-12-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

These 5 coyotes came to us as pups from all over Los Angeles County. Here is their story from rescue to release.

Deer Release November 2010

2010-12-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

These deer fawns came from Los Angeles County and San Diego County. Check out their rehab and eventual release!

CWC's Fall Open House

2010-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Join us for an afternoon of…
Entertainment • Wildlife Education • Children’s Activities
CWC’s Fall Open House
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Noon – 4 p.m
26026 Piuma Road, Calabasas, CA 91302
Most activities will be outside, so please dress accordingly.
Refreshments Served • Free Admission • Children Welcome
RSVP: email Admin@californiawildlifecenter.org or (818) 222-2658

Meet the Staff: Ask the Marine Mammal Response Team about why seals and sea lions “strand” themselves on the beach and what you can do to help. Ask our Hospital Techs and Volunteers about how to recognize a fledgling bird… one that should be left alone and not kidnapped. Ask Dr. Tom about his most unusual wildlife cases.

Guided Tours: View an informative video followed by a tour of the Center led by one of our knowledgeable volunteers. Visit the intensive care hospital and the Baby Care Unit.

Children’s Activities: Animal face-painting and visor decorating; learn how to build an easy bird feeder.

Coastal Cleanup Day is September 25th from 9am - Noon

2010-09-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

Grab your parents and head out to Zuma beach for a fun time in the sun and you can do something really great for the environment too! Every year, the California Coastal Commission sponsors coastal cleanups on beaches up and down the California coast. Last year, over 80,000 people helped out! You will be AMAZED at how much trash people leave on our beautiful beaches. It harms the environment, the ocean and the animals that live in and around it. Hope to see you at the beach!
For information about volunteering with us, contact jeff@californiawildlifecenter.org

A Bear...Really!!!

2010-08-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

On July 25, 2010,the California Wildlife Center received a very large and unexpected visitor. The State Department of Fish and Game brought a 250-pound brown bear that they had captured in someone’s backyard. It had an injury to its leg, which they wanted the center’s veterinarian, Dr. Duane Tom, to evaluate and treat. Dr. Tom was more than happy to help them out. The patient did very well and was later released back into the wild.

Photos courtesy of the California Wildlife Center by Gayle Uyehara

Skunks and Bats...Oh My!

2010-08-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

CWC started taking in rabies vector species. These are animals that can carry the rabies virus without showing any of the typical symptoms. It is important to handle these animals with caution.Our staff and volunteers that work with them (skunks, bats, coyotes, foxes, etc.) have to get pre-rabies vaccines prior to any contact with them. No one likes getting shots, but we think it's totally worth it! See for yourself! They are quite charming and adorable!

Come Join Us For Our Wild Brunch

2010-08-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Please come and join us for a beautiful day at an amazing estate in Malibu!

California Wildlife Center is hosting Fawntasia at Gull's Way Estate on Pacific Coast Highway from 12 noon to 4pm. There will be a special childrens buffet, face painting, activities and some really cool snakes to play with! Don't miss the fun. We will also be releasing a rehabbed hawk after dessert. It's definitely something that you don't want to miss!

We have helped over 22,000 animals in our history of wildlife rehabilitation. You can help us to continue to help thousands more, by purchasing tickets.

Check out all the info on our Wild Brunch website!

A Pelican Rescue at Leo Carillo Beach 1-29-10

2010-01-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the pelicans that was rescued in January 2010.

It's Raining Pelicans!

2010-01-30T16:04:00.000-08:00

The recent storms and treacherous surf have wreaked havoc on the seabird population. Just in the month of January, CWC has admitted 29 California Brown Pelicans and is expecting more in the coming days. Most of the birds are suffering from hypothermia (they get very cold). Their feathers normally form a natural barrier to the water and act as insulation from the cold, but instead are matted by oil, grease and other substances from the massive runoff, much of it coming from roads and freeways. We had already received many pelicans prior to the storms that were emaciated from not finding food. The El Nino condition is causing water surface temperatures to rise, sending fish out to deeper, colder water. The storms dealt them a second blow. Our staff and volunteers are working very hard to stabilize them which requires warming them up and hydrating them. Once stabilized, they are transported to IBRRC (International Bird Rescue Research Center) in San Pedro for rehabilitation. They have received 107 pelicans and counting. It takes 5 to 7 days per bird before they can be released back into the wild.

Baby Elephant Seal Pup rescued 1-26-2010

2010-01-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

Our Marine Mammal team rescued our first EVER black-coat elephant seal pup today! This approximately three weeks old pup should still be on the beach with her mother on one of the Channel Islands. However, last weeks storms and incredibly rough surf likely washed her out to sea where she was carried by the currents (she doesn't swim well yet) to our shores. She crash landed on the rocks at Leo Carillo State Beach and has numerous cuts, bruises and bumps. The "black-coat" refers to the curly black coat that all elephant seals are born with and that is shed shortly after weaning to reveal their normal brownish-silver pelage. She was transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro this morning. Her prognosis is guarded because she is so young, but we will all be keeping our fingers crossed for her!

Baby New Year Rescue 2010

2010-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

This little sea lion pup was rescued from under a home on Malibu Rd.

Yearling Sea Lion Rescue 11-15-09

2009-12-08T15:41:00.000-08:00

This female yearling sea lion looked like a baby she was so small. She's actually about one and a half years old and should weigh about 90 lbs. We observed her for 2 days and realized she hadn't made any effort to go out and hunt for food because she was in exactly the same place both days. It seemed she had just given up. Food sources have been hard to find for all the younger sea lions this year because of the warmer water surface temperatures. The fish move out to deeper, colder water and the small sea lions can't go that far. Upon assessment, she was very underweight (43 lbs.), dehydrated, lethargic and had a bloated stomach. We made the decision to make a rescue attempt, even though she was in a very tough place to get into and out of. After more than an hour of climbing over rocks, the rescue was complete. She was transferred to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro for medical assistance and rehabilitation. Her first week was pretty tough, but she is now eating on her own and gaining weight. If all continues to go well, she will be returning to the ocean soon with a second chance at life! Go Whitney!

Vote For The California Wildlife Center

2009-11-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

Help out our native wildlife and help the California Wildlife Center get a $25,000 donation!!!

Rescued Fox 11-09

2009-11-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

We received this depressed, semi-lethargic 1-year-old fox yesterday from the Culver City area. The person who found him informed us that he had not been moving around very well for about 5 days, but there were no observable wounds to explain his behavior. CWC Veterinarian Dr. Duane Tom found nothing significantly wrong with him and x-rays returned normal. However, this little foxes blood work showed moderate anemia (low blood count) and since his clotting count was prolonged, it is probable that the fox is a victim of secondary poisoning (he ate something that had eaten poison)! The fox is being treated with vitamin K (initially with an injection and now in food for 2-4 weeks) which will help with clotting. At the end of treatment, Dr. Tom will check how quickly his blood clots on it’s own and determine whether more treatment is needed. Check back for further updates!

UPDATE: Our fox is doing so well, she has been moved into our outside bobcat/coyote/fox enclosure. She is eating well and gets very excited when her food arrives. She growls and then barks, so her caregiver will leave and she can eat=)

Marissa Bojiuc- Wildlife Hero

2009-10-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 2, 2009, we received a call at the Wildlife Center about an injured pelican in Marina Del Rey. It was from one of our Youth Rescue Blog followers, Marissa Bojiuc! She was playing volleyball and spotted it with a broken wing. Because of her quick action, this pelican will receive the medical attention it needs and hopefully, be returned back into the wild. On behalf of all of us at the California Wildlife Center, we thank you Marissa. You are setting a great example for our youth of today and showing everyone that if you care, you can make a difference. We salute you!

Western Gray Squirrel Enters Rehab at CWC

2009-09-23T12:38:00.001-07:00

This graceful tree-dweller grows up to a length of 24 inches, including the long bushy tail. Tree squirrels do not have cheek pouches like ground squirrels, but have the same squirrel toe pattern - four toes on the front feet and five larger toes on the hind feet. The coat is overall gray above and white on the underside. The tail has white tips to the hairs.

The gray squirrel eats mostly acorns, but feeds on other nuts and seeds and in the spring, new leaf buds. The squirrels live in tree cavities or in a nest of twigs, bark and leaves built far out on the branch of a large tree. They can be seen looking for food in trees or burying nuts in the ground during the day. It does not hibernate in the winter as do some ground squirrels. Most of the squirrels we see here are fox squirrels. They originated on the East coast and were imported here. Gray squirrels are native to our area, but have been driven out for the most part by the more aggressive fox squirrels.

This little guy was brought to us from the Pt. Dume area of Malibu. He was very dehydrated and weak. He receives feedings every 4 hours and is doing well with them. We'll keep you posted on his progress!

A Better Mouse Trap

2009-09-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Linda Johnson would like to remind us all that "when we poison the environment, it flows through the food chain of which we are a part." She's talking about when people put out poison to get rid of pests, such as rats and mice. What are pests to some people are food to lots of wildlife and we need to remember that. CWC receives many animals that have secondary poisoning because they have eaten rats or mice that have been poisoned. These include owls, hawks, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, etc. This poisoning makes them very sick and sometimes they die from it.

The sticky glue trap is another method you might want to think twice about. Linda states, "It not only targets rodents, but non-target animals such as frogs, birds, lizards, etc." The traps are baited with seeds, so a bird or lizard could go over to investigate and be caught as well. Once something is stuck on the traps, it's virtually impossible to remove them and they die a very slow death.

Linda suggests an alternative to both of these methods. "Keep food and trash in tightly lidded containers. If you have to eradicate pests, use Hav-a-Hart traps, which are the catch and release method." Let's help keep our wildlife safe and healthy!

Thank you Linda for this lifesaving information.

Mia and Jordan Brookenthal - Youth Wildlife Heroes

2009-09-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Mia (6years old) and Jordan (4 years old) Brookenthal found a way to help our native wildlife, "even though we are too small to help carry the animals or feed them or capture them for rescue." They raised over $1000 with their recent mail campaign so CWC can keep rescuing and helping the animals. Last spring they also collected donations of much needed supplies on our wish list. Mia and Jordan are such good examples for everyone. They set a goal and with hard work, they accomplished it. You girls are Wildlife Heroes!

Jessica Ross - Youth Wildlife Hero

2009-09-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Jessica is 13 years old and an avid painter. She has been helping out at CWC since she was 9 years old. Her expertise is in Art and for the last two years, she has painted art pieces for our Silent Auction at The Wild Brunch. Thank you Jessica for setting an example for other kids and finding ways to help wildlife by generously donating your artwork. Oscar winning actress, Mira Sorvino is the proud owner of both pieces! Jessica is a true hero for Wildlife!

Amazing Rescue! August 27, 2009

2009-08-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

This Great Blue Heron found himself in a real mess. He was entangled in fishing line and got stuck in a tree hanging upside down over a lake. At first glance, this might seem like an impossible rescue. The owners of this home called CWC and asked for our help. Cindy Reyes, Director of Marine Mammal Stranding, and Administrator Tim Weis responded in a big way. After assessing the situation, the Fire Dept. was called and agreed to lend their assistance. A very brave fireman shimmied up the tree and sawed off the branch the bird was on. Cindy, Tim and a neighbor sped to the rescue in a paddle boat, netted the bird and the rest is history. He was kept over night for evaluation at CWC and then transported down to the International Bird Rescue and Research Center in San Pedro. Hopefully, he will fully recover and be released back into the wild!

First photo courtesy of Cindy Reyes, second photo courtesty of Gayle Uyehara.

2009-08-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to all who attended our Wild Brunch on Sunday, August 16th at Gull's Way estate in Malibu. It was a huge success! The event featured V-Taste of Malibu cuisine by top-rated chefs and restaurateurs; unique shopping buys in our Live and Silent auctions; a children's area with kid's buffet, face-painting and crafts; David Groves' amazing magic for all ages; live music by our wild DJ and electroBrazilian jazz duo Electra Blu and the release of a red-shoulder hawk that was rehabilitated by CWC! The donations received will help fund all the awesome work we do to give wildlife a second chance. These amazing photos are courtesy of Gayle Uyehara!

Harbor Seal Pup Rescue

2009-07-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

On June 20, 2009 the Marine Mammal Rescue Team had quite a busy day. This harbor seal pup was stranded on E. Sea Level Drive...he was thin and felt quite warm. Just like people, seals and sea lions can get a fever too. This little guy had a very high fever, so two of our rescue team members gave him a hose bath to cool him down before being transported to the Care Center in San Pedro. We saw him this week and he is doing so well, he will be released soon...

Snowy Egret Rescued

2009-07-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

This juvenile Snowy Egret was brought to the California Wildlife Center on 6/20 with a right humeral fracture. He had two surgeries and got a very pretty pink wrap to aid in rehabilitation of the wing. The second photo shows him three weeks later, getting a little physical therapy in the hospital. Love the hairdo!

Sea lion rescue on April 26, 2009

2009-05-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

This tiny, little sea lion was rescued from Leo Carillo beach. He has his flipper up in the air to try and warm his body up. Since his flipper is dark in color, it retains heat from the sun. This is called thermo-regulating. We found him to be dehydrated, cold and very skinny. He is almost a year old and should weigh about 60-80 lbs. When weighed at the rehab facility, he only weighed 22 lbs. He is doing well and hopefully, will be returned to the wild in a few months.

Nestling Barn Owl Rescued on May 3, 2009

2009-05-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

This nestling Barn Owl, either fell out or was kicked out of its nest in a palm tree. A very odd nesting site, as they prefer barns and haystacks. It came to us from La Puente and was very dehydrated. It will eat now if force fed the first bite of mouse and then will eat the rest on its own.

The owl will be transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center in a few days because their rehab progresses much better if they are paired with another Barn Owl about the same age. They specialize in raptors, so it will be in very good hands.

New CWC April Patients

2009-04-16T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Easter eggs that hatched!

2009-04-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

These little Easter ducklings were brought in to the Center, and are being taken care of until they grow big enough to be returned to the wild. Bet you can't tell how many there are!
These are Mallards, whose numbers are decreasing, although you wouldn't know it from looking at this picture! When they grow up the males will have gorgeous glossy green heads and necks, while the females will be brown and keep the very smart stripe you see on each side of these ducklings heads. Mallards mate for life, and pairs form in the fall, well before breeding season in Spring. The female makes a shallow nest of leaves or grass, and lays 8 - 10 eggs. Once they hatch, the ducklings are ready to go out of the nest after just one day, and the Mom will lead her ducklings straight to the nearest water where they are the most safe. Sometimes this can be a swimming pool. I know because I have a Mom and 10 ducklings on mine right now!

A Giant Easter Surprise!

2009-04-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Our marine mammal rescue team got a call on Easter Sunday about a sea lion stranded on the beach in Pirates Cove. We went to check it out. We found an adult male sea lion approximately 8-10 feet in length and anywhere from 400 - 475 lbs. A true Giant! He was assessed for injuries and none were found. He had just come out of the water for a nice nap on a very beautiful day. Sea lions and seals come up on the beach to rest and warm up. If you ever encounter one, please do not disturb it or approach it. They will bite to defend themselves and they can move very quickly on land. It is perfectly normal for them to be out of the water. The best thing to do is call our Marine Mammal Hotline at 310-458-WILD. We will come out and assess the animal to make sure it is not injured, sick, or abandoned. If it needs to be rescued, we will rescue it. It will then be transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro for care and eventually, released back into the wild!

2009-04-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

This nestling great horned owl was brought to our Center from Saugus. It apparently had fallen out of the nest. Great horned owls show a marked preference for nesting in the crowns of large pine trees, sometimes taking over abandoned nests that were built by crows, squirrels, or hawks. Since the owls do little or nothing to improve the nests, it's quite common for the nest to disintegrate, especially as the young put on weight and begin to move around. He appears to be about one month old and is eating very well, which will speed his recuperation time and ready him for his eventual return to the wilds of Saugus. Stay tuned for a future release date!

Dinner every 5 minutes!

2009-03-12T23:47:00.000-07:00

These tiny orphan humming birds were found in Calabasas on Monday March 9th. Here they are being fed a special formula, which they will need every 30 minutes for the next week or two until they are a little larger. Please take special care at this time of year, and wait to trim those trees, tiny nests with little guys like these may be in them.

Elephant seal rescue

2009-03-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

This Northern Elephant seal pup was rescued by our Marine Mammal rescue team on March 3, 2009. He was born in January of this year at Piedras Blancas beach in Cambria, CA. Elephant seal pups are nursed for about 29 days and then their mothers leave them to learn to swim and hunt on their own. They weigh about 230 lbs. when they venture into the ocean. The currents take them south and this time of year, they start showing up stranded on our beaches. This little guy only weighed 69 lbs. He was rescued due to malnutrition and dehydration. He was transferred to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro where he will go to fish school to learn how to hunt for food. When he's ready, he will be released back into the wild. If you see any injured or sick seals or sea lions at the beach, please do not approach them. They will bite out of self defense. Call our Marine Mammal hotline at 310-458-WILD. Great job Team Rockstars!

Our Visit With Homer

2009-03-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Homer is a mule deer fawn that was confiscated by the Department of Fish and Game from a man who was keeping him in his backyard as a pet. In California, that is against the law. Young fawns imprint from humans very easily, so he would never be able to survive in the wild on his own. He was brought to the Center for care until a sanctuary could be found for him. This past weekend, my daughters, Kristyn and Jessica and I went to visit him. The sanctuary is in Dulzura, CA. It is run by a very nice woman named Jill. When Homer saw us, he came right over and started sniffing our pants and licking us. You can tell from the photo that he really missed Jessica. He has seven other deer to play with now and made friends with the Alpha female, Hannah, so all the other deer are very nice to him. He also loves Jill's four Great Pyrenees and has already escaped from his pen once through a very small hole in the fence to go play with them!

CWC Patients - Past and Present

2009-03-02T13:56:00.001-08:00

Rescued February 4, 2009 : Baby Bunny

2009-02-25T22:44:00.000-08:00

This cute baby desert cottontail rabbit, was brought to us along with his sister. The sister was fine, so she was sent back home, which was off of Chesebro Road, Agoura. The baby rabbit was approximately one month old, according to his weight, which was 96g. Unfortunately he had a broken leg (tibia and fibular.) He has a temporary splint on his leg that is held on with the green bandage, until Dr Tom, our vet, can operate on his leg on the 6th. This will not be easy as his leg is so small.

He is still able to hop around and is eating well with a diet of baby rabbit pellets, a few pieces of fruit and vegetables, along with timothy hay and water. We are hoping that the surgery will be sucessful, so that he will later be able to be released from the same area in which he and his sister were found.

UPDATE Sadly this baby didn't make it. Sometimes despite all best efforts fragile creatures like these sometimes cannot be saved. You can help avoid accidents by being careful, and remembering that our environment is their home too. This little guy's picture will stay on our blog to inspire people to help other injured wildlife.