Zoo news and this week in wildlife
Transfers to Bear Hollow Zoo
Two young opossums, now named Tater and Tot, have been moved from Primarily ‘Possums to our friends at the Bear Hollow Zoo in Athens. I got to visit with them a little when I participated in the Bear Holloween event. It’s such an educational, inclusive and fun place-and free! Our area is lucky to have this gem of a zoo for non-releasable native wildlife. I had great fun at Bear Holloween: I had the opportunity to share what I do with the trick or treaters, and handed out origami bats.
Current residents
While Tater and Tot settled in, the remaining 3 here spent their days figuring out how to deal with the colder nights we’ve been having, and getting their foraging training started. Now dinner isn’t served in plates or bowls, it’s hidden throughout the enclosure.
Main courses are getting more meat-heavy, chicken wings, turkeys neck, and sardines have replaced yogurt and veggie mush.
Two of the 3 will be released next week in a south Georgia swamp, just like Pogo, if any of you remember the Walt Kelly comic.
Wish lists
The wishlist links at the top of the page are already being used by some generous patrons- I received 3 items from my Chewy Wishlist today, thanks donor and thanks Chewy!
I was just about out of kibble so the timing was perfect. It’s time now to start stocking up on formula and peepads for next year. I’ve added some cleaning items and supplements to the Chewy list. I try to stay up to date on the needs here.
New residents
The number of intakes has slowed but the calls keep coming in. I was called about a young chipmunk caught by a dog, a dove that fell out of a tree (?!), and little birds hit by cars and caught in glue traps. One worrisome call was about a grounded bat. He later flew away when the finders were attempting to safely contain him. It makes me so happy when my services are no longer required.
Today I received a call about an armadillo so stressed by being trapped in a cage that he severely injured his own tail. Wildlife does not sit quietly in cages waiting to be released, they fight to get out! That’s why a good trapper, like this gentleman, checks his traps frequently.
One new patient is a terribly skinny little male opossum. While wandering he got separated from Mom and fell in a (thankfully) empty pool. He is getting emergency care in Augusta and will be coming to me once he’s stabilized.
Thanks for reading and I’ll be back next week with a new report!
