Nebraska Wildlife Rehab sets record for animals in its care for two straight months
Less than three years after moving into its new 16,000-square-foot Baldwin Wildlife Center at 97th and M Streets, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab is already bursting at the seams. Nebraska Wildlife Rehab (NWR) has set a record two consecutive months in its care for animals, with a total of 900 animals in its caring for 3,903 animals. The center, founded by Laura Stastny, has cared for 3.903 patients, mostly rabbits, raccoons, and exotic baby bobcat and beaver currently undergoing lifesaving treatment. The high numbers are likely due to a milder winter and increased recognition from the public of the rescue work done by NWR. The wildlife center is now up to a full staff of 36 people and is up to care for an additional $300,000 through donations and grants. NWR is the wildlife partner for the Nebraska Humane Society and focuses solely on the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife. It takes an average of $145 to care each animal, which covers food, indoor and outdoor enclosures, advanced medical care, rehabilitation time, facilities, enrichment and training for release.
게시됨 : 일년 전 ~에 의해 Marjie Ducey World-Herald Staff Writer, marjie ducey ~에 Science
Laura Stastny is like that woman in the nursery rhyme who had so many children she didn’t know what to do.
Only in her case, it’s animals.
Fewer than three years after moving into its new 16,000-square-foot Baldwin Wildlife Center at 97th and M Streets, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab is already bursting at the seams.
“It’s absolutely crazy. I think we have 900 animals in care right now,” said Stastny, the founder and director. “Nine hundred that we are actively taking care of.”
So far in 2024, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab has cared for 3,903 patients, from regulars such as rabbits and raccoons to the more exotic baby bobcat and beaver currently undergoing lifesaving treatment at the center. Stastny expects that number to rocket past the rehab’s usual number by the end of the year.
The rehab, which is celebrating its 25th year, usually averages 6,500 to 7,000 a year. Stastny said high numbers this year are likely because of a milder winter, which means more babies in the spring, and increased recognition from the public of the rescue work done by the organization.
NWR is the wildlife partner for the Nebraska Humane Society. It focuses solely on the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife with the goal of returning the animals to the wild.
Both April and May were record months. The rehab received 1,064 animals for care in April, about 40% more than average, and 1,730 in May, about 20% more than usual.
It was so busy that Stastny had to suspend doing her duties as director and help with animal care for both months.
“For eight weeks starting in April, I was working 100 hours a week,” she said. “It’s a labor of love for sure.”
The wildlife center is now up to a full staff of 36 people, along with amazing volunteers, Stastny said.
Everyone is busy — and tired. The three raccoon nurseries are full, the baby bird nursery is overflowing, and the reptile room is swamped with turtles that have been hit by cars.
There are two coyotes recovering in the isolation room. A young red fox, abandoned and hairless because of mange, is looking good. The orphan baby bobcat, which came in near death after being found in central Nebraska, spent several days in intensive care on IV fluids.
“Now she is a monster,” Stastny said. “That’s why she has to go out to the outdoor site. She’s trying to attack people when they come in the door. She’s about 12 weeks old now, and weighs about 3 pounds, but she thinks she weighs 30.”
Stastny said it takes an average of $145 to care for each animal, which covers food, indoor and outdoor enclosures, advanced medical care, rehabilitation time, facilities, enrichment and training for release. Funds are raised through donations and grants.
Because of the “dire resource crunch” with so many animals, she’s put out an appeal for financial help from the public.
“If we cannot raise additional funds to serve wildlife and our community, we may have to consider restricting admissions or temporarily stopping the intake of new patients,” she said. “Because this is the busiest season when people and animals need us the most, we’re hoping donations can help us continue operating at full capacity.”
With demand so high, she may have to rethink her $1.2 million annual budget. Once — or if — things slow down, she said she’ll also have to consider the possibility of an additional site, perhaps in Lancaster County, or how she could expand in Omaha.
Right now, though, she can focus only on scrounging up funds for new washing machines.
Three of the five have broken down in the past week — a big problem when the center does 50 loads of laundry a day. The machines are going from 6 a.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. the next day.
“To get through our ‘busy season,’ we need to raise an additional $300,000,” Stastny said. “We are hoping that our incredible community will come through and help us so that we can help all of the animals that will need us this summer. At times like this, it is completely overwhelming for all of us to care for so many animals, but we are all grateful for the support of our community that allows us to do this work.”
Nebraska Wildlife Rehab is asking people to donate the cost of rehabilitating one animal ($145) or to sign up for a monthly donation of $12 or more per month. Donations in all amounts are accepted.
To donate, go online at nebraskawildliferehab.org/how-to-help/donate-now.html or send checks to NWR, 9777 M Street, Omaha, NE 68127
Here's the rundown on some of the animals cared for at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab this year. The rehab has taken in 124 species of animals.
Bats: 330
Eastern cottontail rabbits: 1,323
Fox and Gray Squirrels: 241
Raccoons: 304
Opossums: 403
Ground squirrels and woodchucks: 33
Snakes: 11
Turtles: a record 116
주제: Wildlife