The Wildlife Center of Texas is still operating on its winter hours. It is open 7 days a week from 9:00-4:00 for admissions. WCT closed out January 2012 in-taking 50 more animals than January 2011, we all are wondering if it is a predication of the year to come. Other happenings include:
Staff and volunteers just completed their annual 8 hour HAZWOPER refresher class. This is a requirement for 24 hour and 40 hour HAZWOPER certified oiled wildlife responders. It was a great class and amazing how many of our volunteers are keeping current with their certification.
Our in-service classes for WCT volunteers will continue this month with classes on small mammals and the identification and rehabilitation of gulf coast raptors. Over 85 volunteers already attended an avian handling and care class.
The oiled wildlife response team will travel to Corpus Christi later this month to teach an oiled wildlife response class to over 60 participants.
WCT volunteers have already logged in more than 1400 volunteer hours in the 2012 year. We have implemented a new on-line volunteer tracking program that helps volunteers track their hours as well as sign up for classes.
In 2011 the Wildlife Center of Texas added 34 species to its lifelist – 27 birds, 4 mammals and 3 reptiles. Our total list now includes 221 birds, 31 mammals and 32 herptiles, plus 2 invertebrates for a grand total of 286 different species.
The majority of the animals coming into the Wildlife Center are injured birds of prey. The bird in the picture is a recently released red-shouldered hawk. It made a couple of lazy circles above the release flight cage and then settled in a pine tree next to the cage. Orphaned and injured baby rabbits, squirrels and opossums are beginning to find their way to the Wildlife Center so volunteers are getting the baby nurseries ready. If the weather holds out we are planning a release of about a dozen pelicans at the end of February. If you have not signed up for our e-blasts please add your name and email to our home page so you can get information on upcoming releases and events.
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