Rehabbing regional wildlife

Posted 8/21/12

A month or so ago, I transported a female downy woodpecker to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (PWRC) in Stroudsburg, PA after my neighbor found it in her driveway, suffering …

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Rehabbing regional wildlife

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A month or so ago, I transported a female downy woodpecker to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (PWRC) in Stroudsburg, PA after my neighbor found it in her driveway, suffering from what appeared to be a broken wing. The tiny bird’s feisty spirit kept it strong enough to make the trip and upon intake, its prognosis was deemed to be good.

Fortunately for the wounded bird and for other injured or orphaned wildlife in the Upper Delaware Region, the non-profit PWRC, which cares for nearly 1,300 animals yearly and accepts animals and birds from all over Northeastern and Eastern Pennsylvania, is available to assist with such problems when they arise. It is licensed by the PA Game Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture and run by founder and director Kathy Uhler and her husband, Eric, both PA-certified teachers. Live wildlife educational programs using animals that cannot be released to the wild are also offered. PWRC uses no tax money for its work, which is all done by volunteers.

Spring is especially challenging with the birth of baby animals and birds, their fragile state, and their need for time- and resource-consuming care. As a result, PWRC is conducting an online fundraising campaign for the specialized formulas needed for these young animals. Visit www.poconowildlife.com for more information on this and other items on their wish list.

Should you find a wild animal in need of help, contact PWRC, as some animals can be dangerous or carry diseases. What appears to be a problem may not be at all and can sometimes be resolved without human intervention. Never house or treat wildlife, as licenses are required for doing so. And remember there is no substitute for the care only a mother can provide. Fawns, for example, can appear to have been abandoned, while their mother is actually nearby.

Learn more about the PWRC at its upcoming open house on June 18 and 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations of artwork, digital photography or other items are needed for its silent auction, and volunteers are always welcome. Requested donation for admission is $9 for adults, $5 for kids under six. There will be tours of the facility (including native birds, mammals and reptiles), food, live music by Acoustic Kitty Project, bake sale, tricky tray, bird-banding demo and possible a raptor release. For more information call 570/402-0223.

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