A Place for Widlife in Need
Sunny, warm days as of late almost cloud our memories of the unseasonable amount of snowfall occurring just over a week ago. Wildlife, however, may still be struggling from the effects of such a wintry landscape returning as we near the month of May. For organizations closely linked to the welfare of our flora and fauna, it has been a stressful week. Wildlife rehabilitators have been up to their necks with patients requiring help from human hands. While the Museum characteristically handles mostly non-living animals, recent events have served as a reminder of times when staff have had to actively work to help struggling critters.
One seemingly ordinary day last month, a Museum member and local teacher arrived at my office announcing that she had a short-tailed weasel in her trunk. The weasel had been struck hard while scampering across the road, but they were still holding onto life after the woman and her husband gently picked them up and placed them in a towel-lined box. The couple didn't think the weasel would last much longer, and without getting into detail, I didn't have much hope either. We transferred the box to a secluded area behind the Museum, anticipating the weasel's untimely demise. The couple thought that if anything, we could try to give this weasel a comfortable space to pass and turn this into an educational opportunity. To my surprise, the educational opportunity turned out to be an adorable story of recovery.
As a natural history museum, we often accept wild animal remains found by members of the public. We do so in order to bring something positive out of this loss of life. Preserved animal specimens aid in scientific inquiry and allow visitors to witness the wonders of local biodiversity.
Salvage permits allow the Museum to hold non-living animals, but this is not a place for live animal care. Over the next few hours after receiving the weasel, they had continued to show signs of life. I knew that it would be appropriate to place the small, carnivorous mustelid into the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Rehabilitators are specially trained to care for and treat wild animals. They also offer invaluable instruction for anyone in similar situations. Being part of an organization dedicated to connecting people to our natural world and in light of recent events, I hope to share information for others who may witness a wildlife crisis.
If you have found a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal, there are a few places to reach out to for help. The Wisconsin DNR can answer questions regarding the handling and transportation of found wildlife. Their call center is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and can be reached at 1-888-936-7463. They additionally have a website page with a helpful map directory to locate licensed wildlife rehabilitators by county: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/directory.html.
There are a few rehabilitation centers specifically in the Northwoods which the Museum has asked for help in some capacity.
Dr. Kim Ammann of Spooner works primarily with raptors, and has assisted the Museum with care for our own education raptors, Aldo, Carson, and Theo. She can be reached at 715-781-2595.
The Northwoods Wildlife Center works with most wild animals. They are located in Minoqua and their phone number is 715-356-7400.
Wild Instincts was one of the organizations I had anxiously called upon to help save the struggling short-tailed weasel. They worked hard to coordinate a pick up, and that evening I was able to pass off the weasel to volunteers who would drive them back to Rhinelander for care. Wild Instincts phone number is 715-362-9453.
As always, the Museum will offer insight where ever we can. Please consider making the effort to seek out information about the small things you can do to make a big difference. I'm glad I had the resources to be able to find caring hands in a timely manner. The weasel, by the way, worked through some head trauma and was seen chomping down on a healthy meal just days after their trip to Rhinelander.
