All first meetings should start with an introduction, so my first entry will be just that.  I'm Jane and I am the founder and director of Wildlife Haven, a wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education facility in north central Ohio.  Wildlife Haven works with all native Ohio species and our dedicated workers are all volunteers and college interns.  

We admit anywhere from 500 to 700 animals and birds each year - most of which are in trouble due to manmade causes.  About 75% of these are released back into the wild to get a second chance at life.  

The other 25%?  Some die from severe injuries. Others have been cared for by their 'finder' and, despite good intentions, not fed enough or not fed the right thing or not kept warm and are near death when brought to us.  Some have permanent crippling injuries such as partial blindness or a wing that cannot be healed.  Of these, a few lucky ones are able to be placed into educational facilities.  

Unfortunately, there are far more crippled birds and animals than there are places for them.  And some are not suited to a life in captivity.  They are, after all, wild things.  So, euthanasia is also a part of our work.   Sometimes it is the only way we can help the animal.  I consider it another way to set them free.......

Our facility is on 10 acres.  We have a clinic, office, visitor center, and intern's quarters. There is a 2 acre woods, and we have developed a 1 acre wetland, and 4 acres of native grass and wildflower prairie.  Our public display area is a popular spot - - drawing quite a few visitors to our facility.   Our temporary residents are off-limits to the public. They are either in the clinic or in pre-release caging outdoors.  But our public area allows our visitors to have an up-close and personal look at some wonderful birds and animals.

Our permanent residents are Scarlet the Red-tailed Hawk, Virgie and Rocky, who are Great Horned Owls, Falco the American Kestrel, Freya and Otis the Screech Owls, Serena the Bobcat, Alba the Barn Owl, Flash the Peregrine Falcon, Edgar Allen the American Crow, Victor the Turkey Vulture, and Grady and Grayce the Silver Foxes.

Future entires in this 'journal' will be quite varied.  A day as a wildlife rehabilitator can be quite unpredictable and challenging in many ways.  Each day is different and can consist of amusing, sad, frustrating, heart-warming, rewarding, maddening or wonderful moments.  Some days cover ALL of those!   I also want to personally introduce you to each of our resident ambassadors from the wild and tell you a little about them. 

For now, I have to stop and get outside to take grain and water to the deer pen at the back of our property.  The 7 fawns have been released for over 2 months now but still wander into the open pen occasionally to supplement their diet.  It's nice to get a glimpse of them now and then ~ to see them doing so well!  Until next time..............

Jane @ Wildlife Haven     http://www.wildlifehaven.org

 

 

Great introduction and overview. Victor looks cute in an ugly vulture sort of way. We look forward to hearing more from our Ohio neighbor.

This is Victor, a Turkey Vulture who has been with us since he was a nestling. When he arrived he was a white, downy, chicken-sized fellow and now he is a big beautiful adult.

This is our resident Red-tail, Scarlett. She has been with us for about 12 years. She has a permanent wing injury due to being hit by a car.