Wildlife Center of Texas

The Wildlife Center of Texas will be conducting an oiled wildlife response training workshop on Friday, December 13, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  sponsored by Shell. The workshop takes place at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana and will certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill.  Lunch will be provided. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation's role in the Incident Command System and an actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. All permitted wildlife rehabilitators and trainees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife officials, industry environmental personnel, as well as local veterinarians and veterinarian technicians are encouraged to participate in this training. There is no cost for the workshop but space is limited. Please register via email at WildlifeResponse@WildlifeCenterofTexas.org

As winter approaches, The Wildlife Center of Texas sees an increase in the number of injured adult animals that are found and brought to our center. Hawks and owls are commonly found injured on roadsides, hit by cars as they swoop down to catch prey in the road. Hawks are also the most frequent victims of gunshots seen at The Wildlife Center of Texas. It is illegal to shoot or otherwise intentionally harm a protected species like hawks and other Texas birds thanks to the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Violations of the law are subject to conviction of a misdemeanor and fines of up to $15,000. However, this does not stop people from shooting the magnificent birds. Luckily, our veterinary staff is able to repair many of the injured birds brought to our center. It is very rewarding to see our raptors and other birds take flight once more and rejoin their brethren in the wild. Besides our birds of prey, opossums that have been hit by cars or caught by dogs are another fairly common patient. Squirrels that are busy preparing for winter may get hit by cars, fall out of trees, or get caught by cats. Migratory songbirds may run into trouble with windows or outdoor cats as they come through the Galveston/Houston area. Seabirds and aquatic turtles inadvertently swallow fish hooks along with their meal. Many of the injuries sustained by wild animals are the result of human influences. The Wildlife Center of Texas is here to help. We are open every day to receive wild animals in need. Our staff is just a phone call away to give advice on capturing an injured animal or to make recommendations [...]

The Wildlife Center of Texas received a call from a concerned citizen who had spotted a large turtle trapped in a deep ravine along Buffalo Bayou.  A rescue driver from the Houston SPCA was dispatched to pick up the 44 pound injured turtle.   The turtle was a female alligator snapping turtle with a stout fish hook imbedded in her cheek.  The turtle was sent to Texas A&M’s School of Veterinary Medicine in College Station for surgery.  X-ray examination indicated that a second hook was also lodged in the throat of the turtle.  The surgery was completed the following day and the turtle was returned to the Wildlife Center. The alligator snapping turtle is a fascinating native to Houston.  The strongly hooked beak and massive head of this creature make it quite distinct.  The three rows of pointed scales or scutes on it carapace give it an almost dinosaur-like appearance.  Unlike the much more prevalent common snapping turtle, the tail is smooth and not at all “alligator”-like.  Hatchling alligator snappers are no larger than a 50-cent piece but rapidly gain weight until they reach maturity at about 12 years.  Snapping turtles are obligate carnivores.  In its younger years, the alligator snapper feeds primarily on fish by employing a unique physical attribute.  On the forward portion of its tongue are two pink extensions that the turtle wiggles about like a worm.  The turtle sits motionless with its huge jaws agape until an unsuspecting fish ventures too near.  As the alligator snapping turtle ages, it becomes more of an active predator and feeds on fish, crayfish, mussels and clams, and somewhat disturbingly, other turtles.  The alligator snapper has chemo-receptors in its mouth than can detect mud and musk [...]