Page 114 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2017

SPORTS & OUTDOORS wild things
SAVING
ALL CREATURES
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
photos courtesy of Wild at Heart Rescue, Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, Inc. and Gulf Coast Wildlife Rehab
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to abundant wildlife, from soaring pelicans to woodland raccoon and saltwater fish such as Redfish, Pompano and Wahoo to the rare Dusky Gopher Frog, which can only be found in three ponds throughout South Mississippi. With all these critters around, it’s no surprise that humans come into contact with them every now and again. Thankfully, there are some great wildlife rescue
resources that specialize in caring for and rehabilitating sick, injured or orphaned animals.
“What we do matters because all life is connected,” said Alison Sharpe, founder and executive director of Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, Inc. (WCRC). “It’s our responsibility to care for these animals; they have the right to have the best chance we can give them.”
According to Sharpe, people have become much more environmentally conscious in recent years. “From litter to pollution, it all circles back to the wildlife, especially coastal animals.” Sharpe says that people generally have an inherent need to want to help animals in need, but the rescue of
any animal must be done with great caution.
“Always assess the situation and make sure the animal needs to be rescued,” Sharpe says. “Every year, well-meaning people take animals, especially babies that should be left alone.” Often times, mothers leave their young unattended while they
search for food, but they will always return.
It’s important to never handle an adult animal without first consulting a wildlife professional. Once you’ve contacted someone who can help, describe the animal and their
physical condition as accurately as possible. While you wait for help
to arrive, place the animal in a safe container unless instructed otherwise.
For larger birds or other animals, use a cardboard box or similar container. Before placing the animal in the box, be sure to punch holes
for air and line the box with an old T-shirt or other soft cloth. Be sure
to put on thick gloves and cover the animal with a towel or pillowcase as you scoop it up gently and place it in the container.
Next, place the container in a warm, dark, quiet place until the animal can be transported or picked up by a rescue service. Keep the
container away from direct sunlight, air conditioning or heat. Because wild animals aren’t accustomed to our voices, they can become very stressed by our noises, so keeping their environment dark and quiet is important to keep their stress level as low as possible.
The Humane Society of the United States says it is best not to give the animal food or water. It could be the wrong food and cause it to choke, trigger serious digestive problems or cause aspiration pneumonia. Many injured animals are in shock, and force-feeding can kill them.
There are multiple wildlife rescue services available and each has its own capabilities. Most will take
in any native wildlife, but may ultimately deliver certain animals to other facilities that are better suited to that animal’s needs.
114 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2017
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