WILDWOODS

NEWSLETTER
October 2015

Volume 1

SUMMER OF
WOODCHUCKS
On average Wildwoods receives
one or two woodchuck babies
each summer. This summer we
received a total 0f 9 youngsters!
Their favorite activity? Digging
and more digging. They
managed to build a pretty decent
tunnel that also happened to
lead outside the enclosure. They
were rounded up easily and later
transferred to Wild and Free.

Issue 1

BUISNESS AS USUAL
This summer was busier than ever at Wildwoods but as most of the staff
know, thats business as usual here. As of September we helped a total of 900
wild animals. Everything from hummingbirds to black bears came through
our doors thanks to members of the community who decided to help these
animals. The species with the most admits was surprisingly raccoons with a
total of 83. Due to the high density of raccoons in the hillside and the rapid
spread of distemper we received only a handful of healthy orphans. Many of
our orphans are sent to a rehabber that specializes in raccoons, this year
seems lonely compared to the 9 we were raising last summer! The group with
the most admits at 175 included songbirds, woodpeckers and hummingbirds.
Its likely we see more birds due to the commonality of window strikes.

Canine Distemper

The summer of 2015 saw an outbreak of a viral disease known as Canine

Distemper. This is a serious virus that attacks the respiratory,
gastrointestinal and nervous systems of
canids, mustelids and raccoons. Canids
include foxes, coyotes and domestic
dogs. Mustelids include skunks and
weasels. Due to spread occurring via
bodily fluids like saliva the virus is highly
transmittable between these species.
Although there is a vaccine to keep your pets safe, there is no cure once the virus is
onset. Sadly we saw many gray foxes and raccoons euthanized this summer from the
east-central hillside that were suffering from distemper. Animals can experience cold
like symptoms later progressing to neurological symptoms like stumbling, lack of fear,
twitching and bodily seizures. Canine distemper is often confused with rabies for this
reason, but the two are not related. If you find animal that might have distemper call a
wildlife rehabber or animal control to consult with a professional before taking
One of the healthy orphan raccoons
action.
climbing a tree during enrichment.

Promoting the understanding, appreciation, and well-being of wildlife

and the world we share through compassion, care and community
involvement.

One of the few healthy raccoon babies we cared for this

summer. Here she is pictured climbing a tree during an
enrichment activity.

UNEXPECTED VISITOR
When we got a call about an injured hawk near downtown, we immediately
thought of the Peregrine falcons that nest there, as hawks are not common in the
downtown area. The bird was placed into a box before we arrived. When we
looked inside we werent sure what to think. Here was a bird that was larger than
the Peregrine, didnt have the distinct facial markings, and had green-blue tinted
legs. In Duluth we have three falcons that are common: Merlin, Kestrel and
Peregrine falcons; this bird resembled none of those. After flipping through a
field guide we identified the bird as a Prairie Falcon but recanted our decision
after looking at the summer range, which didnt even include most of western
Minnesota. Prairie Falcons are rarely recorded in Duluth during the summer
months because they nest in prairies and grasslands found in the western edge of
North Dakota to parts of California. Occasionally they are seen during spring and
fall migration, but not frequently as far east as Duluth. Consulting with some banders we were able to determine it was
indeed a Prairie Falcon, a female! So whats the big deal? Wild animals are rarely found venturing outside their normal
range, especially as far as this bird was from her home. Since theres no logical reason for her to be in Duluth, what
brought her here? We speculate a storm that passed from the west over Duluth
blew her over when she got stuck on the wrong front. She was later transferred to
The Raptor Center in St. Paul.
DID YOU KNOW?

NEW FACILITY IN THE WORKS!

Wildwoods is finally moving to its own facility! Thanks to support from the
community we will be moving to larger facility where we can add an x-ray machine,
medical office, larger enclosures and most importantly have more space for the
animals. Currently we operate out of a private home with limited resources. We
have a few pre-release cages (enclosures used to acclimate animals to outdoor
conditions) on site but are quickly growing out of our small space. As we grow as
an organization we receive more animals yearly thanks to folks who share our
mission. In 2006 we admited only 24 animals compared to the 1000 we will admit
this year, that is 40 times what we originally began with! With all sorts of animals
Did you know Woodchucks can be
coming in we will need space for an office, an exam room, x-ray room, recovery
black? Melanism is a condition where
rooms, and a break room for volunteers and staff. In addition to the 1000 ft2 of
the skin or fur of an animal has a dark
pigment due to genetics. Animals like
office space, we will also have 3000 ft2 of indoor nursery space. We will also be
2
squirrels, felids, wolves, foxes and
adding 1500 ft of outdoor space for pre-release enclosures and waterfowl and
even deer can display this trait. While
shorebird housing facilities. The growth will mean we will be better able to care for
not common in most populations, the
the volume of incoming wildlife and accommodate staff and volunteers to help care
trait is often concentrated in different
for them. The project is up and running but there is still a great amount of work to
regions based on the genetic dispersal
do. We are working towards a goal of $600,000 to get the new facitility up and
of individuals.
running. If you would like to help Wildwoods achieve our goal you can help the
following ways:
Send a check to Wildwoods at P.O. Box 3161, Duluth MN
Save the Date! November 12 is Give to the Max Day, donations will be matched by an anonymous donor meaning your
contribution will go a long way.
Donate to us online via Paypal, visit our website at www.wildwoodsrehab.org for more information.

From the staff, volunteers and animals at Wildwoods, we thank you!

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