Zeppelin at about 6 weeks
Wild Things FINALLY got its license to rehabilitate Rabies Vector Species (in NY: raccoons, skunks & bats) just in the nick of time for this year's baby season. Wild Things is the only facility in about a two hour radius that has an RVS license. However, as many people don't seem to realise, Wild Things only has one employee (who is not paid): me!
I do the very best I possibly can to accomodate all the calls that I receive for these animals, but I also have to consider the animal's well-being as well. It's no good for anyone if I have 40 raccoons. For the first few months they have to be fed several times a day, they cry a lot of the time and make a big mess! And it doesn't help that raccoons seem to be the only thing that I am allergic to! My eyes and face swell up, dry up and itch like crazy!
I do the very best I possibly can to accomodate all the calls that I receive for these animals, but I also have to consider the animal's well-being as well. It's no good for anyone if I have 40 raccoons. For the first few months they have to be fed several times a day, they cry a lot of the time and make a big mess! And it doesn't help that raccoons seem to be the only thing that I am allergic to! My eyes and face swell up, dry up and itch like crazy!
But boy are those little raccoons adorable! And get into so much mischief, like little Zeppelin here, who was it by a car at 4 weeks old and miraculously survived. He loves his yogurt as you can see!
Smiling Wobbles
So it's been a busy several months getting these little cuties back on their feet and into the woods. Most came in as abandoned orphans, but some had injuries as well. In total Wild Things had about 20 raccoons, 10 skunks and a handful of bats. None appeared to have rabies, though many were emaciated and loaded with maggots. Little Wobbles (right) was starved and had maggots coming out of her eyes. After she was all cleaned up she developed palsy like symptoms. It was unclear why, possibly a few dead maggots were still in her head and getting infected. A month of antibiotics put her right: one of WTS' big successes this summer!
Wobbles grown up an ready to go into the woods!
Little skunk. NB: I should be wearing gloves!
But more on all the little coonies soon. And the skunks and bats!
In the meantime, take a look at: http://www.musicofnature.org/home/the_sound_of_contentment/
One of my great volunteers' husbands made this recording.
Did you know that raccoons purr?
They do, so take a listen!
