Many people know that high-profile global animals such as the Panda Bear, Rhino, and Amur Leopard are endangered species which are in need of human’s help to sustain their dwindling populations…but did you know that there are animals right here in Wisconsin that need our help as well? Though the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has had a list of endangered species across the nation since 1967, Wisconsin developed its first endangered and threatened species list in 1972, following the enactment of the Wisconsin Endangered Species Law. The last revision of this list occurred in January of 2014, when 8 species were added and 15 species were removed from the list. To see the full list, and other information about Wisconsin’s threatened and endangered species, follow this link. If any of these animals are brought into WINC, they require special attention and reporting to government agencies. The endangered/threatened species that have been in our care include: Mammals Big Brown Bat (T) Little Brown Bat (T) Eastern Pipistrelle (T) Curious as to why these bats are threatened? Check out our news article on white nose syndrome. Birds Peregrine Falcon (E) Red-Neck Grebe (E) Caspian Tern (E) Red-Shouldered Hawk (T) Great Egret (T) Reptiles Ornate Box Turtle (E)* We are lucky enough to have a resident Ornate Box Turtle, Jewel, who is an animal ambassador in our education program! Endangered vs. Threatened FAQ: What is the difference between a threatened and endangered species? Answer: In simple terms, endangered species are at the brink of extinction now. Threatened species are likely to be at the brink in the near future. All of...
This year, Wildlife In Need was lucky enough to send one of our very own staff, Jen Brei, to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association’s (NWRA) annual symposium. The NWRA is dedicated to improving and promoting the profession of wildlife rehabilitation and its contributions to preserving natural ecosystems. Each year, they hold a symposium that covers all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation; attendees can expect: A chance to learn the latest techniques in the field of wildlife rehabilitation from knowledgeable speakers Over 90 lectures worth of valuable information To meet others in the same field who know exactly what you do and why you do it To network with fellow rehabilitators and share ideas and contact information To earn continuing education credits from attendance To interact with various vendors offering everything from books to formula to capture equipment This year’s symposium, themed “Success Takes a Village”, was held in Princeton New Jersey on March 10-14. This was Jen’s first experience at the NWRA symposium, and her days were packed full of incredibly useful and relevant lectures and workshops…here’s a glimpse at some of the sessions that she attended! Lectures: Disaster Contingency Planning for Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities Biosecurity Basics Keeping Our (Wildlife) Customers Satisfied A lecture on animal enrichment Raising Aquatic Birds Hand-rearing Clapper Rail, Willet, & Black Skimmer Swallow Rehabilitation: Techniques for Success Nestling Identification Release Criteria and Considerations for Hand-Raised Birds Designing a Fantastic Intern Program Wildlife Search & Rescue Wildlife Capture Strategies & Techniques Raptor Identification at All Life Stages Bald is Beautiful: Vultures in Rehabilitation Captive Rearing of Mink & Weasels The ABCs of Bobcat Rehabilitation Eastern Cottontail Rehabilitation Working...
With today being the first day of spring, WINC staff and volunteers are anticipating the arrival of this year’s first newborn! We often receive calls asking when native Wisconsin mammals are raising young or when birds will have their first clutch of eggs. Check out the table below to see when WINC’s most common patients have babies…and consequently when our nurseries will start filling up to the brim! Birds Species Hatch Dates # of Broods/Year Great Horned Owl February – July 1 Red-Tailed Hawk March – June 1 Canada Goose March – July 1 Pigeon March – August 2 – 3 Coopers Hawk April – July 1 American Kestrel April – July 1 Barred Owl April – August 1 Screech Owl April – June 1 Mourning Dove April – August 1 – 2 Great Blue Heron April – July 2 – 3 Sandhill Crane April – May 1 Mallard Duck April – August 1 American Robin April – July 2 – 3 Red-Winged Blackbird April – June 1 American Crow April – June 1 – 2 Eastern Bluebird April – July 1 – 2 Northern Cardinal April – August 1 – 4 Tree Swallow May – July 1 Barn Swallow May – August 1 – 2 Blue Jay May – July 1 – 2 Mammals Species Birth Dates # of Litters/Year Opossum January – March, May – June, August – September 1 – 2 Raccoon February – April 1 Gray Squirrel February – April, September – October 2 Cottontail Rabbit February – October 3 – 4 Fox March – May 1 Coyote March – May 1 Woodchuck March –...
At the Wildlife In Need Center, we receive all sorts of calls from people that are at their wits end regarding a wildlife conflict situation that they are dealing with. Many of these distressed individuals call about a misunderstood animal that most people avoid at all costs: striped skunks. Though WINC cannot accept these animals due to DNR regulations, we have acquired a few tips and tricks over the years to deal with all sorts of skunk problems. Check out the list below and, as always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at 262-965-3090. Skunk Under Your Deck, Shed, etc.? Has a skunk family made its home under your home? In many cases, people find that a skunk has made their home in a less-than-ideal place and there can be multiple reasons why the individual would like the skunks to move on (pets are continually getting sprayed, etc.). Before calling an exterminator, which can be expense and in-humane, try these tips first: Shine a battery-powered light into the den. Put a radio near the den and turn on talk radio, ideally at times when the skunks are most active or are confirmed to be in their den (at dawn and dusk is often effective) Sprinkle used cat litter near the den’s opening. The smell of the ammonia in cat urine is very similar to a predator’s urine (fox or coyote) and can help the skunk move on if they think that a predator has moved in. If you don’t have cats, household ammonia will do as well. You can even purchase synthetic coyote or fox urine...
Invasive Species are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that rapidly take over a new location and alter the ecosystem. They can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect an ecosystem’s function and economic value, as well as human health; all reasons why the WI Department of Natural Resources take special interest in these “alien invaders”. Humans play a major role in creating conditions where plants and animals can aggressively invade and dominate natural areas in three ways: Introducing exotic species (from other regions or countries) who lack natural competitors and predators to keep them in check Disrupting the delicate balance of native ecosystems by changing environmental conditions — e.g., building roads) or by restricting or eliminating natural processes (fire for example); in such instances, even some native plants and animals can become invasive Spreading invasive species through various methods, such as: Moving watercrafts from waterbody to waterbody without removing invasive plants and animals; Carrying seeds of invasive plants on footwear or pet’s fur Mowing along roadsides Importing firewood and leaving in campgrounds Driving and biking with invasive seeds in tire treads The ending result in the introduction of invasive species is the loss of diversity of native species; over 42% of the species on the Federal threatened and endangered species list are at risk primarily because of invasive species. Check out this link to see more information and to view all the invasive species that Wisconsin is concerned about. Aliens @ WINC What invasive species has WINC received at our center? See below. Mute Swan Red-Eared Slider* *Note: Due to many people having these animals as pets, and many pet stores carrying them,...
Though many of our donors very generously donate money, time, or goods to support our mission, we know that sometimes people are not able to make such a commitment to our organization, though they would love to help. Here, we have some easy programs that WINC supporters already participate in which contribute to WINC…without you even having to visit our Center. Check out the rewards programs below! AmazonSmile : AmazonSmile will donate .5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers. Simply shop on AmazonSmile through smile.amazon.com, where you’ll find the same prices, selection, and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate to WINC! Eligible products are marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. You don’t need to make a new account; simply use your current account to begin donating! Kwik Rewards : Do you purchase gas? Kwik Trip, Inc. offers a Kwik Card that earns you a rebate of 3 cents per gallon on every gallon of fuel you purchase PLUS a 10% rebate on all eligible in-store purchases. Instead of receiving the rebate yourself, you can donate it to the Wildlife In Need Center by participating in the Kwik Rewards Fund-Raising Program. Follow this link for more details: http://www.kwiktrip.com/Savings/Loyalty-Programs/Kwik-Rewards/ Sentry Funds for Friends : Local Sentry stores have teamed up with Wildlife In Need to provide us with much needed funds. Simply turn in your receipts from the Sentry stores located on Meadowbrook Road in Waukesha, Golf Road in Delafield, or St. Paul Avenue in Waukesha to the Wildlife In Need Center. We will turn these receipts in...
