Name: Area wildlife rehabilitation centers continue to save lives, despite pandemic-related challenges
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Area wildlife rehabilitation centers continue to save lives, despite pandemic-related challenges

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NEW!465sharesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lake Erie Nature &amp; Science Center and Medina Raptor Center both continue to save injured animals, despite lost programming revenue, new intake procedures, added safety precautions related to the coronavirus pandemic and closures at many wildlife rehabilitation centers throughout the state.Lake Erie Nature &amp; Science Center (LENSC) again began accepting injured wildlife from the public July 7. The intake process now involves various social-distancing measures.The nonprofit center in Bay Village-- one of the few Ohio facilities able to care for waterfowl as well as other birds and mammals -- reminds animal lovers to call 440-871-2900 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. before interacting directly with wildlife. After hours, persons with urgent concerns should leave a phone message. The “help wildlife” section of the contains answers to many frequently asked questions.Medina Raptor Center has continued to accept animals from the public throughout the year. As with LENSC, intake involves social-distancing measures. The Medina nonprofit focuses on raptors -- birds of prey such as owls, vultures, hawks and eagles -- though the organization also accepts songbirds. Like their LENSC counterparts, Medina Raptor Center emphasizes the need to contact the center prior to interacting with wild animals. Persons with wildlife concerns should call 330-591-7300 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If no one answers, leave a message and a rehabilitator will respond in short order. The organization’s features a bevy of helpful insights.Tim Jasinski, wildlife rehabilitation specialist at LENSC, says the center’s efforts typically follow closely behind the actions of man. “Most of our intakes are human related in one way or another,” he said.The center receives around 2,800 animals a year, including 160 bird species. Approximately 1,000 of the birds are migrants that survive flying into the sides of buildings. volunteers collect the delicate patients early in the morning. According to Jasinski, 96 percent of the birds that survive such collisions are ultimately released back into the wild.“Imprinting” has also been a concern for Jasinski during the pandemic. Well-meaning individuals frequently take in chicks -- often erroneously assumed to be orphaned -- thereby conditioning the birds to identify with humans rather than avian species. Reversing such imprinting is a monumental task.Jasinski also deals with thoughtless anglers who toss fishing line -- essentially a snare for birds and other wildlife -- onto the ground or in the water. Vehicle collisions are another source of patients, though injuries caused by domestic cats are his main concern.According to Jasinski, owner of two indoor felines, cats kill billions of songbirds annually in the United States. “We’re always educating the public on keeping them indoors, though it’s a very touchy situation,” he said.Circumstances are a bit different in Medina County, though echoing Jasinski’s words, Missy Jordan -- rehabilitator and daughter of the Medina Raptor Center’s founder -- reveals that “human interaction is usually involved.”The center averages 400 patients per year, though intake numbers for 2020 are already above 300. “We’ve been overwhelmed with birds,” says Jordan.Vehicle collisions and cat attacks remain an issue, though poisoning is also a concern. Vermin rendered lifeless by poison baits are often consumed by scavenging raptors. Songbirds foraging on the ground sometimes ingest chemicals used in lawn care. Lead pellets employed by hunters frequently end up in the digestive tracts of bald eagles and other birds of prey.Although the number of Ohio birds infected with West Nile virus has dropped in recent years, the staff in Medina continues to deal with avian outbreaks. Jordan also sees her share of mishandled wildlife interventions, though she refrains from judgment. “Even though they may have done all of it wrong from the get-go, it’s all coming from a good place,” she said.Jordan cites education as a way to prevent such mistakes. “That’s one of the biggest reasons we are here. We want to help educate.”Education and outreach programs, which help disseminate information while delighting audiences, are also a significant source of revenue for both groups. Jasinski reveals that 40 percent of his rehabilitation budget derives from program fees, adding, “Education is one of our favorite things to do.” Grants and donations account for the remainder of the budget.According to Jordan, programming is “one of the biggest ways we raise funds to keep ourselves afloat here.” Private donations are another key source of funding. Benevolent individuals can find a donation link on the organization’s website.In addition, Jordan says the center would not exist without the efforts of volunteers, including trained veterinarians, educators and assorted friends of a feather. “That is the only way the raptor center survives,” Jordan comments. The center continues to recruit new volunteers.Jasinski and his staff are currently making due without volunteers, though LENSC plans to be involved with a limited, socially distanced “Lights Out Cleveland” campaign during the fall migration.Both Jasinski and Jordan reiterate the need for a phone call prior to any interaction with wildlife. An animal that exhibits obvious signs of trauma -- and is not dangerous to members of the public -- can be placed in a box with air holes in a quiet, dark, warm area. Water and food should never be introduced. The animal should be transferred to wildlife rehabilitators as soon as possible.Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

NEW!465sharesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lake Erie Nature &amp; Science Center and Medina Raptor Center both continue to save injured animals, despite lost programming revenue, new intake procedures, added safety precautions related to the coronavirus pandemic and closures at many wildlife rehabilitation centers throughout the state.Lake Erie Nature &amp; Science Center (LENSC) again began accepting injured wildlife from the public July 7. The intake process now involves various social-distancing measures.The nonprofit center in Bay Village-- one of the few Ohio facilities able to care for waterfowl...

Area wildlife rehabilitation centers continue to save lives, despite pandemic-related challenges

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