Hi VA Birders,
Below is an excerpt from a report from some of the wildlife rehabilitation
facilities in FL that were hit hard by Hurricane Charley. All three
facilities rehabilitate wild birds. They desperately need monetary
donations - especially to buy gasoline to run generators and chain saws to
clear debris. Whatever anyone can spare to help out any of these three
facilties, would be greatly appreciated.
Connie Sale
Connie & Wilton Sale
Chesapeake, VA 23322
NWRA, IWRC
Hummingbirds
wsales@xxxxxxxx
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: The Aftermath of Hurricane Charley
From: "NWRA" <nwra_email_list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, August 20, 2004 3:27 pm
To: "NWRA" <nwra@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear NWRA members:
Here is a report by Wendy Fox, of Pelican Harbor Seabird Station that will
give you an idea of what is happening in Florida following the recent
hurricane. Contact information for some wildlife rehabilitators in need
and the Florida Wildlife Rehabilitators Association appear at the end of
the report.
The Aftermath of Hurricane Charley
On Monday morning early, Brian and I loaded up the truck with various
supplies, fruit and veggies, (visions of the Clampetts!) and headed off to
visit rehabbers affected by Charley. We knew they needed some things,
although communication was sporadic at best. Some we hadn't heard from so
we figured we'd go and find them. Thankfully all the news is happy. A
total of 2 animals lost, one at CROW and one further up the state that
died the day after. All the humans are fine; rehabbers are a hardy,
resourceful and generally cheerful and optimistic group. The biggest need
right now seems to be gasoline to run the gas powered chainsaws and
generators. One place is already using 30 gallons a day; the cost begins
to add up. The amount of debris is astounding. I've been asked about
donations and I think the smartest thing would be money so they can buy
gas, chainsaws, generators, and whatever else they actually need. I've
added addresses where I think there is the most need. Yes, the USPS
delivers!
We then went over to the Center for Great Apes in Wachula. This is an
amazing place founded by Patty Regan she cares for those no longer wanted
by circuses and road side attractions. As she puts, "those that are past
their shelf-life". I have never seen caging like this, chutes run from
habitat to habitat through the tree canopy so the groups can "travel" from
place to place. This beautiful place barely has a whole tree, some
up-rooted and others snapped off. They were really low on food and
delighted to see the fruits and veggies. A group of zookeepers had come
and cleared pathways for them so they could at least move around to start
cleaning up. When the storm went through they put the apes in the concrete
night houses with volunteers to care and comfort them. We had Gatorade and
ice and the humans were so grateful to drink some thing cool, they had had
lukewarm water for 3 days...the little ice they had they had used to cool
the water for their hairy friends.
Then it was onto the rehabilitation facilities.
We went down to the Punta Gorda area; Peace River Wildlife Center needed
us to transport 2 Bald Eagles and 2 Coopers Hawks. Their habitat was
damaged. They need generators, gas for chainsaws...lots of debris. All the
animals and humans are doing well there. This is where the hurricane came
ashore, these are lucky people! But it is going to take them months to dig
out. And lots of gas money! You have to travel out of the hurricane zone
to get gas, no gas = no electricity. They are managing, but may have more
needs in the future. We have already figured out who has extra caging,
available transport etc., if needed.
We headed north with our now growing group, travel is difficult and our
plan of getting to Maitland (Audubon birds of Prey) that night wasn't
going to happen. It took us 4 1/2 hours to find a hotel, either they were
full or they told us we were welcome but not our "animal friends", they
needed to stay in the car. So on we drove. At 12:30am Tuesday morning
Brian found us a Crown Plaza that was more than happy to take us all. They
gave us a really cheap rate and upgraded all of us to the concierge floor!
Next day we arrived in Maitland, They had no electricity but otherwise
were fine. Seaworld and other places took the contents of their freezer so
they didn't lose any food. We just got an e-mail saying they now have
power.YEAH!! They took our eagles and hawks and gave us 4 osprey and 50
squirrels!!! The osprey needed releasing on the Florida west coast and the
squirrels needed dropping off at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
So off we went, dropping squirrels and tossing osprey in our path. Our
plan was to head across alligator alley and home....but no. David Wrede a
rehabber in the center of the state, who we had made contact with on
Monday, called to say he had received a storm blown frigate. So back up
the state and finally home to Miami at after midnight. David is an at home
full time rehabber, lots of great caging and a good friend to all. He has
sustained about $5,000 worth of damage. He lost one Barred Owl, possibly
to stress and to add insult to injury a deer in his care was struck by
lightening a few nights after the hurricane.
The spirit of the rehabbers we met is strong, they are carrying on and
will rebuild. I am proud and lucky to know them. We went on this trip
because of the animals but also to show support for our friends and
colleagues, if you can't come together at a time like this then there is
no hope.
Take care,
Wendy and Brian Fox
Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
If you are able to help, please send donations to:
Wrede's Wildlife Rehab Center, Inc., 4900 Wilderness Trail, Sebring, FL
33875
Peace River Wildlife Center, 3400 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
CROW, PO Box 150, Sanibel Island, FL 33957
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