Hospital Manager Ashley Kinney carefully chipped away at the thick plastic lid with a pair of pliers, doing her best not to further injure the feisty reptile. The too-curious snake made a full recovery in the center’s hospital, and was released back into the same “wild” where it had been found—a suburban neighborhood. A momentous experience for that snake, but just another day of compassionate rescues at the Wildlife Center, which is in the business of treating more than 5,200 reptiles, birds and mammals every year at its San Jose facility in Penitencia Creek Park, not far from Alum Rock Park in the eastern foothills. The snake’s head vs. plastic lid incident illustrates precisely why the nonprofit Wildlife Center has remained so busy for the last 23 years. Nearly two million of us—along with our houses, buildings, office parks, and freeways—now occupy what once was exclusively the birds’ and animals’ South Bay domain. Our possessions include everyday things that may deliver deadly unintended consequences, like pest poisons, vehicles and traps. While decades of development pushed some wild animals into the surrounding hills and mountains, others adapted, ferreting out tasty treats from gardens, trashcans and outdoor pet food bowls, and making warm dens in crawlspaces and attics. The coexistence of humans and wildlife is at times a cautious detente, but at other times the two worlds clash, with birds and animals usually at the losing end. It’s why the Wildlife Center’s existence in urbanized Silicon Valley is vital. “The animals are a part of our everyday life; they’ve been here longer than we have, and we are responsible for our interactions with them, which aren’t always optimal,” says Executive Director Laura Hawkins. “When we build on their space, when we encroach on their habitat, I feel we owe it to them. These animals need someplace to go, and that’s why we’re here.” Besides helping wild animals, the center stands as an important resource to answer questions and offer protection to the public. “We definitely view the wildlife center as the No. 1 resource in our county for wildlife,” says Staycee Dains, shelter operations supervisor for the City of San Jose’s Animal Care and Services agency. “They’re not only keeping wildlife healthy, they’re also protecting domestic animals and the public from disease.” The animal services agency works in partnership with the Wildlife Center, picking up orphaned, sick and injured animals reported by the public from San Jose and other South Bay cities that contract with the agency. Birds and animals also come in to the center directly through residents who bring in animals they’ve found, or through pickups by center volunteers. People who report or bring in animals are charged no fees. The center operates on what Hawkins calls a “shoestring budget” of $625,000 a year; besides staff, the budget covers the high cost of food, medicine, veterinarian services and maintaining aging facilities. The center is dependent on donations of money, food and supplies to help the animals that come to them, as well as educate the public on how to coexist peacefully with our wild neighbors. Volunteers go through two training classes, and then shadow experienced veterans. The training continues with every shift; newer volunteers work in teams with experienced volunteers and staff members, Kinney and Hawkins say. They have multiple opportunities to learn through doing. The hospital sees an average of 35 animals daily. The numbers are lower in the late fall and winter, but increase in spring with baby season, then remain high until early fall. Kinney says the birds and animals often come in as groups, for example entire broods 82 South Bay Accent Living side by side with wildlife can be awe inspiring, but it can also evoke feelings of fear, frustration and even confusion. The nonprofit Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley is the best place in the South Bay to find information about how to coexist peacefully, and what to do if you find an orphaned, ill or injured animal. The center features an informationpacked website (wcsv.org). Or you can call directly (408- 929-WILD) to ask questions or report an animal. Get more info and an up close glimpse of the center’s work at its annual Walk on the Wild Side event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, 3027 Penitencia Creek Road, San Jose. Staff and volunteers will have lots of interesting and fun activities and crafts for all ages, including a fun Bingo game with prizes for kids. Here are some of the more common wildlife issues South Bay residents are confronted with, along with recommended solutions from the Wildlife Center. At the end are some ways people can help. ORPHANED BABY ANIMALS That lonely-looking young bird or fawn may not be orphaned, so the best course of action is to quietly observe the animal for about 15 minutes to a half-hour. Chances are mom and dad are not far away and will return. Check the center’s website for comprehensive information on what to look for, or call the center for guidance on how to proceed. Eastern Fox Squirrels waiting for their morning meal. THIS PAGE AND INSET ON OPENING SPREAD: DONALD JEDLOVEC (3) COEXISTING WITH AND HELPING OUR WILD NEIGHBORS
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2016
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