It's been a week of cleaning and releasing! The rehab room got a good deep clean and the pre-release enclosures will undergo sanitizing and renovation for the last of the Round One opossum babies. Cleaning may not sound very exciting, but it's a cornerstone of health for these precious animals. In the wild they can move on from unsanitary conditions, but here in captivity they depend on me to keep them free of disease and dirt.
Cottontail rabbits
The bunnies opened their eyes this week! Their ears are now standing at attention, too. They still get milk replacer twice a day and have started nibbling on the dried grass and Timothy hay in their nest.
Striped Skunks
The skunks discovered the joys of dirt, rotting logs, mushrooms and root balls. All enrichment fun and a part of their diet in the wild. I am introducing them to new vegetables daily and adding toys, tunnels, and natural elements. I love watching them playing with each other, stomping and jumping, but no one sprays their sibling. People have asked- do they spray me? Nope! They don’t have great eyesight but they know and trust the sound of my voice and my Suzie-smell.
Opossums
These 4 opossums moved on up to the Big Kid cages, no longer getting their meals served in bed, but having to hunt a bit to find their food. Each night they get a different protein treat. I rotate between chicken livers or gizzards, mice, eggs, sardines, yogurt or cheese, and chicken necks or wings. Isn’t that one girl with the white foot beautiful?
Volunteer Rich Bergins
This adorable baby says “Hello!” from her nice nest box built by Rich Bergins. He has been so helpful getting the newest enclosure ready for move in. He added a ceiling to cover the exposed roofing nails, fixed a medium sized running wheel, built nest boxes, and built and installed some climbing shelves that I know everyone will love. I am lucky to count him as part of the team here serving the needs of the animals.
Opossum release
I released a total of 7 opossums this week. I try and choose my release sites with several things in mind- distance from threats such as cars, humans and dogs, availability of natural foods and clean water, and lots of hiding spots. This opossum immediately discovered a perfect opossum-sized hole!
Meals for marsupials
Tonight’s dinner offering is courtesy my friend Guy’s pigeons, his forest full of chanterelles, and my own blueberry bushes, These are all foods the skunks like, too, and would be a natural part of their diet.
Big brown bats
The bats are all doing fine, I just don’t have any new photos of them. I really depend on my volunteers, especially Krista de Vries, for the great photos you often see here. She’s a gem of a friend and helper, and just got her wildlife rehabilitation license. I’m so proud of her!
They have started self-feeding a bit, stretching out to grab the mealworm from me. Their jaws strengthened quickly and now they can chew the biggest mealworm with ease. I just ordered another 2000 mealworms from my favorite seller, West Georgia Mealworms.
Box Turtle
This juvenile box turtle was accidentally injured by a lawnmower. We were worried her left lung had been damaged, but she seems to have stabilized. She is receiving pain medication and antibiotics, as well as daily wound care. Fingers crossed for a swift and safe recovery!