Aloha Rehabbers!!!

It’s the time of year when we can be grateful to live in such tropical climes as the majority of the country is being hit hard with snowstorms! We are truly blessed!

If you haven’t already, mark your calendars for FWRA’s 27th annual symposium, SEPTEMBER 24-27TH at the FFA Leadership Conference Center in Haines City, Florida. We have been at this location for a while now. Those who have been know how beautiful and peaceful this venue is. Start squirreling those dollars away now and you will have plenty come September. It’s an event not to be missed! You can apply for one of the six scholarships we offer but with 7 months to save, if you put aside just $2/day you will be able to cover the entire conference which includes 3 meals a day, a fully stocked hospitality suite with snacks and drinks, all classes and workshops, lodging, banquet and have plenty of cash to bid and win great items at the fabulous auction!! I feel like a broken record but it’s true! FWRA’s symposium is a value that cannot be beat! You could not spend a weekend or even a night in some places for just a hotel room anywhere in Florida and beyond for the low low price of our conference!! Our organization has kept the cost of membership and symposium down, so more people can reap the benefits of being a member and attending our conferences and workshops. There is no other group in the country that offers the quality and value that FWRA does!

Many changes are afoot!! If you have not been on www.fwra.org lately, check it out!! Under the News heading, important hotline numbers and websites have been added (Exotic Species Hotline, FFWCC Wildlife Alert Hotline, Non Native Pet Amnesty and more). Under Wildlife Rehabilitation in Florida, links for those asking how to become a rehabilitator have been added. Under Injured and Orphaned Wildlife, there are links to directories as well as an interactive map you can click on to find a large center in a particular area. If someone needs help, you can direct them to the maps or to a larger center who may know an individual nearby that may be closer. Under Events there are always additions going up on the 2015 events page. If you know of a meeting that you do not see listed, let us know. We are your organization! We have provided these tools to help you and to help the public find the information they need to help wildlife! Remember that as a benefit of membership, there is a Members Only section that has lots of past conference presenta-tions in both power point and hand out formats. If members do not have the log in info they need to email info@fwra.org. We can’t publish user name and password in the newsletter or it wouldn’t be a benefit exclusive of membership! Plus you get the on line Listserve where you can post questions and get answers within 24 hours, usually much faster! We also have the topic of the week where even the most seasoned Rehabilitators pick up tips on unique solutions or ideas that worked for others! All this and membership has been kept at a meager $20/yr!!! Memberships make great gifts for your veterinarians, volunteers or animal enthusiasts!!

That being said, please see scholarship info in this issue and plan to join us for the 27th symposium in September!! We value what each and every one of you has to contribute!! It is sure to be another fantastic conference!! Hope to see you there!!

Best wishes,

Beth Hirschfeld DVM, CVA, VMOHollywood, FLPresident FWRA

Page 2

Bits and Blurbs ...FWRA’s 2015 symposium will be here before you know it! This year you could go for free! FWRA is offering 3 full (val-ue up to $350.00) and up to 3 partial (value up to $180.00) scholarships to FWRA members. Our full scholarships are given in memory of Herb Kale and in memory of Karl Send-ler. Our Founder’s scholarship is given each year in honor of or in memory of someone who contributed to the field of wildlife rehabilitation and to FWRA. This year the Founder’s scholarship is in honor of Judi Carter. She was very active in wildlife rehabilitation all the way back to the early days of FWRA. Judi ran La Guardar Inc. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center for many years, rehabilitating all native spe-cies. Her specialty was bobcats and she taught several classes at FWRA symposiums.

Our 2015 symposium will be held from September 24th through September 26th at the FFA Training Center in Haines City. Please go to www.fwra.org and fill out the application on line. It will only take a few minutes to fill in the blanks. It will be transmitted on line so you don’t even have to mail it. Please be sure your membership doesn’t expire before the scholarship deadline. If you don’t have your own wildlife rehabilitation permit, we need an email or letter from the permitted rehabilitator you work with. This is a requirement no matter what your status – volunteer, staff, veterinarian, vet tech, biologist, etc. Emails can be sent to treasurer@fwra.org and our mailing address is FWRA, PO Box 411087, Mel-bourne, FL 32941. The deadline to apply this year is June 13, 2015. Be sure you include all required information and your membership dues are up-to-date. We hope to see you there!

FLORIDA WILDLIFE REHABILITA-TORS ASSOCIATION Mission:The Florida Wildlife Rehabilitators As-sociation (FWRA) is a non-profit orga-nization dedicated to the unification, education and dissemination of information to all wildlife rehabilitators in Florida. Purposes:To provide an organizational structure within which various individuals and organizations in-volved in the rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife may exchange informa-tion. To provide training and assistance to individuals and organizations involved in the rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. To increase public awareness through educa-tional means of and support for the activities of wildlife rehabilitators. To engage in such other activities as are permitted by Florida Law. FWRA Board of DirectorsBeth Hirschfeld, DVM, President Deb Anderson, DVM, Vice PresidentMargaret “Noni” Beck, Vice Pres./SymposiumSue Small, TreasurerDorothy Kaufmann, Secretary Members at Large

Nicole Nemeth, DVM Sonia Hernandez DVMJack Landess, DVM Michael Yabsley MS, PhDDanielle Stanek, DVM Scott Citino, DVM Mark Cunningham, DVM Mike Ruggieri Robert Hess, DVM

Carmen SimontonHector Cruz-Lopez, Ph.D Dave McRuer DVM Martha Mullins, DVMErica Miller, DVMMark Pokras, DVM Dan Wolf, DVM Heather Barron DVM Reinier Munguia

Advisory BoardWinnie BurnsDebbie HelselCarol McCorkleVered Nograd

Phyllis BentonSandra RenneCara Brown Lisa Mabry

Leslie JohnsonGail Straight

Dianna FlyntDan Martinelli

Resource CommitteeBeth Hirschfeld, DVM - Chairperson

Newsletter : Dianna Flynt newsletter@fwra.org

FWRA WEBSITE: www.fwra.org

Webmaster: Reinier MunguiaEMAIL: info@fwra.org

After attending Vann Masvidal’s lab on glue traps at the California Counsel for Wildlife Rehabilitators symposium in 2013, most of the attendees were struck by two things:

1.How easy it is to free feathers from glue with a miracle substance called methyl soyate,and

2. How difficult it is to obtain a miracle substance called methyl soyate. When theconference ended, the dilemma led me on a hunt which, a few phone calls and helpful secretaries later, put me in touch with a biochemist named Dr. Randall von Wedel.

Dr. von Wedel is the developer of CytoSol BioSolvent, a product designed and approved by the EPA to treat the environment after a disaster like an oil spill. It iscurrently being used, for example, in the continued cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico. But what makes this product interesting to rehabbers is that the key ingre-dients are methylesters derived from vegetable oils, including the illusive methyl soyate, which work onbays and rivers the same way they work on fur and feathers: by lifting the oil or glue tothe surface, mak-ing it easier to wash away.

So the question was, would CytoSol be safe for use on wildlife the way it is safe for use on the environ-ment?

Dr. von Wedel was convinced it would be, and had already beenexploring its potential for use in that capacity. He believed it would prove gentle, easyto wash off, and nontoxic if ingested during preening or grooming. He immediatelyoffered to provide us with information and samples for testing, and encour-aged us not to overuse harsh, damaging detergents to remove it. After consulting with Vann and my mentor, Kandy Kansler, several bottles were sentand shared with various rehabbers and facilities, and I found my-self in the rather curious position of waiting, almost hopefully, for a case of a bird caught in a glue trap.It came in the spring with a tearful call from a woman who had placed glue trapsaround a nest to safeguard its inhabitants from rats. Predictably, a dark-eyed junco hadtangled with the trap, tearing out his tail and breaking his foot to get away. His effortsleft him free but sticky, so after his initial intake and stabilization, I opened my CytoSol,set up my bathing station, and got to work.And then I was done. Really. From start to finish, it was about a 10-minute process to remove the glue from his flight feathers, feet, and rump. I applied a few drops of CytoSol and worked it through the affected areas, and the glue slipped off in chunks.

One quick wash (I used 1 tablespoon of Palmolive Pure and Clear, diluted in 1 liter of warm water) and rinse later, the feathers were clean and in order. There was some minor fraying in the affected wing feathers; but as far as I could tell, it was from hisstruggle with the glue trap and his later extended time in an aviary, rather than fromcontact with the CytoSol.

Over the next two months his foot healed and his tail grew in,and he was released back at the nest sight.In the meantime, Anysia Dickson from Project Wildlife was presented with theprecarious predicament of a baby hummingbird stuck to duct tape. She tried usingCytoSol to free it, and it proved to be, in her words, “liquid gold.” She was very happy with the results, saw no long term feather damage, and the hummingbird survived, matured, and was released. Susan Schroeder, who volunteers for Stephanie McKiernan in Cherry Valley, also employed CytoSol on a kestrel that came to them mysteriously covered in motor oil.

After several failed washing attempts with Dawn soap, CytoSol worked, and Susan felt that the kestrel’s feathers were actually in better condition after using the biosolvent then they had been after using Dawn alone. That kestrel was also released successfully.Finally, I did a mini experiment to look for evidence of feather damage after prolonged exposure to Cytosol. I soaked 3 healthy feathers individually in CytoSol, mineral oil, and plain water for 5 days. At the end, I washed all 3 once and compared the results.None of the feathers showed any visible damage. There was no fraying with the CytoSol feather, and no line of demarcation between the area that had been soaked and the area that had remained clear of the biosolvent. It was also soft and clean, unlike theoil-soaked feather, which was still noticeably greasy af-ter the first wash. If the oily feather had still belonged to its original owner, it would have needed further treatment to cleanse it thoroughly.

So that has been my experience with CytoSol BioSol-vent. It isn’t extensive, but it ispromising. CytoSol has offered free 500ml samples to other rehabbers who are interested in trying it, or at $12 a gallon for larger quantities, available in 1 or 5 gallon totes. The com-pany can be contacted via email at info@cytoculture.com or by phone at 510-233-0102.

Page 3

Using CytoSol BioSolvent in the Rehabilitation Environment By Jennifer Opean

Page 4

Chikungunya Virus Appears Among Humans in Florida Avoiding mosquito bites is good practice, and now there’s even more reason for Floridians to take precau-tions. The Center for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health report that Chikungunya virus (pronounced chicken gun ya), or Chik Fever has estab-lished itself in Florida, making it the first state to have locally acquired cases. Luckily, the Florida outbreak appears to be limited, with only 11 cases confirmed and no current outbreak. There is concern, however, that travel may lead to the illness taking a more perma-nent hold in Florida and other states. Like many other mosquito-borne viruses, Chik Fever first showed up in tropical locations. It moved from South America to the Caribbean Basin in 2013, into the US Virgin Islands just over a year ago. Most cases in the mainland United States are still the result of people having first traveled to places outside of the US where the illness is present. Symptoms of Chik Fever include headache, fever, joint pain and swelling of extremities. Older patients seem to be impacted more severely, and are at higher risk for lingering health problems.

For more information on this emerging disease:

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states.html

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/chikungunya.html

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Hits Western United States

Wildlife managers are being put on heightened alert for bird die offs following the discovery of a highly patho-gen H5 strain of avian virus in birds from the western United States. The USGS National Wildlife Health

Center reports positive test results among a group of birds originating largely from Washington State; birds from California, Oregon and Nevada were also among those tested.

The NWHC is continuing to test sick and dead migra-tory birds and asks for birds to be submitted for testing when meeting the following criteria: Mortality events involving waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) or other water birds (loons, grebes, coots, shorebirds or wad-ing birds such as egrets, herons, or cranes); mortality events involving raptors or other avian scavengers (ra-vens, crows, or gulls), particularly those observed near locations with on-going water bird mortality; mortality events where estimated dead exceeds 500 birds; mor-tality events involving wild bird species in close proxim-ity to facilities harboring domestic birds in which H5 HPAI has been detected. For more information: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publi-cations/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_2015-01_HPAI.pdf

Where did the missing oil from BP’s deepwater horizon go to?After the oil rig’s explosion in 2010 which spewed mil-lions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico we have heard extensively of the many methods of cleaning and removal of the oil from the waters. Two new inde-pendent studies looked into what is not talked about so much, the 10% to 30% that is still not counted for after the cleaning process was done and the waters of the gulf appeared clean and blue once again.

A team of researchers led by Florida State oceanogra-phy professor Jeff Chanton have found an answer, six to 10 million gallons are buried in the sediment on the Gulf floor about 60 miles south east of the Mississippi Delta.

“If it’s on the sea floor the oxygen would be lower so that might mean it would hang around longer and be a source of contamination in the future. It would linger longer,” he said. “This is going to affect the Gulf for years to come. Fish will likely ingest contaminants because worms ingest the sediment, and fish eat the worms. It’s a conduit for contamination into the food web.”

http://www.livescience.com/49664-deepwater-horizon-missing-oil.html

Page 5

Information that improves the outcome for the birds we care for is invaluable; the Raptor Workshop - held on Saturday, February 21st - in two separate locations in the Orlando area - provided details on many, many different aspects of care for this specialized category of birds. I was pleased to see high-level information as well as the basics covered - from caging needs for birds recovering from various injuries, food prep, as-pects of falconry in rehabilitation, and feather repair at the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, to blood analysis, wound care and specifics on how to recog-nize an electrocution injury at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland - and I am only touching the surface of what was covered at both locations.

As a small, home-based rehabilitator I see a handful of raptors annually. But being as familiar as possible with how to best care for and bring the patients along is critical. For me, the time and travel commitment was significant, but well worth it. It was wonderful to see a solid group of rehabilitators eager to learn, exciting to see the two unique facilities, soak in the knowledge, and experience a beautiful Florida day filled with learning. Another plus was getting to know some of the instructors and classmates just a little bit better, meeting some for the first time, and under-standing that there is more than one way to do some routine things - in some cases, better, easier ways. I must say that attendees and instructors went out of their way to be inclusive and shared knowledge in a peer-to-peer environment. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to prepare the information and present during the workshop.

Birds, Beaks, Feathers and Feet: Raptor Workshop Touches on Many Aspects of Rehabilitative Care by Phillis Benton, Wildlife Rehabilitator, US Virgin Islands

Page 6

Sandhill cranes are a conspicuous feature of many neighborhoods, golf courses, and other open lands. With their huge size (4 feet tall, 6 foot wingspread) and stately bearing they are popular wild attractions. Unfortunately these factors also contribute to a heavy mortality, often unwittingly fostered by the same people who love them the most. In the wild, sandhill cranes feed on seeds and grains along with insects, frogs, rodents, and other food items. But in close con-tact with humans these adaptable birds rapidly lose their fear of man and become avid beggars. All too commonly this relationship is ultimately harmful.Their normal diet is replaced by bread, crackers, corn, or junk food distributed by well-meaning but uninformed people. While none of these foods is nutritionally beneficial, they constitute an easy meal and they fill the belly; and a crane with a full belly has no incentive to search for a proper diet. The result is poor nutrition, resulting in low breeding success, high infant mortality, and developmental disorders.

Finally, the birds become complacent in the presence of people and all of our paraphernalia. Fearing noth-ing man-made, these human-acclimated sandhills are bound for trouble. They frequently stand in the middle of the street, literally directing traffic and demanding a handout. Of course the inevitable occurs, and every-one is saddened at the death of another bird or birds, struck down by passing vehicles. Those lucky enough to escape this fate are hit by golf balls (Yes, one of the commonest injuries seen in cranes are wings shat-tered when they refuse to move away from the tee.), fly into power lines, or are attacked by our domestic animals. Much of this carnage could be prevented if people simply resisted the ill-conceived urge to “help” the birds by feeding them.

In the spring, these problems are exacerbated when the adult pairs produce their adorable chicks. Forced to remain on the ground as long as the babies are incapable of flight, their exposure to human hazards is multiplied. The chicks, less wary than even their parents, are typically the first to succumb. Those that survive to fledging age at about three months are themselves conditioned to be even more avid beggars, and the tragic cycle continues.

In some locations, other animals are the targets – not to say the beneficiaries – of deliberate feeding. These may be storks and herons, or pelicans, or raccoons and even bears. People say that they are “helping” the animals, when in fact the opposite is true. The animals are conditioned to accept human presence, which will expose them to additional dangers. The animals’ natural foraging activities are interrupted, resulting in an increasing dependence on human feeding. Abnor-

mally high numbers of the target species build up in the feeding location, attracted by the free meals. This concentrated population speeds the spread of diseas-es and parasites through the entire group and virtually guarantees that every individual will be exposed to otherwise rare illnesses.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, in recognition of the problems caused by the feeding of wildlife, has adopted a rule prohibiting the feeding of sandhill cranes and pelicans. Additional rules prohibit the feeding of, or careless placement of food that attracts, bears, foxes, and raccoons. Finally, all interfer-ence with “Listed” species (identified under law as Endangered or Threatened species) is prohibited, and feeding is considered an interference. This applies to sandhill cranes, wood storks, and some others. Seed feeders for songbirds do not seem to cause problems for wildlife, but all other forms of wildlife feeding should be curtailed.

Take the time to educate your friends, relatives, and neighbors about the deleterious effects of feeding wild animals. Note that there are legal restrictions as well as undesirable consequences. Perhaps with everyone’s enlightened understanding we can keep these precious animals truly wild so they may more safely grace our parks and prairies.

Feeding Wildlife - A Bad Idea By Dan Martinelli, Executive Director, Treasure Coast Wildlife Center

Page 7

Animis Foundationanimisfoundation@yahoo.com

Avian Recondition Center

www.arc4raptors.org

Audubon Center for Birds of Preywww.audubonofflorida.org

SPCA Wildlife Care Centerwww.wildlifecarecenter.org

Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuarywww.floridawildlifehospital.org

Sawgrass Nature Center

www.sawgrassnaturecenter.org

Peace River Wildlife www.peaceriverwildlifecenter.org

St. Francis Wildlife Associationwww.stfranciswildlife.org

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centerof Central FL

www.wildlifecenterflorida.org

Thank you to our Sponsoring Rehabilitation Organizations

Our national symbol… soaring back from the brink of extinction

In 1782 the United State of America chose the Bald Eagle as the nation’s symbol. Back then America had more than 100,000 breeding pairs of those magnificent birds of prey, but by 1963 only 487 nesting pairs re-mained. Placing the Bald Eagle on the Endangered List and the banning of DDT brought this species back from an almost unavoidable extinction.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0207/sights_n_sounds/media2.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bald-eagles-soaring-back-to-recovery-after-almost-going-extinct-in-the-1960s/

PAGE 7

Florida Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is a 501(c)(3) organizationA copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free

(800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

Name________________________________________________________ Affiliation_____________________________________

Address ___________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________ State _________ Zip __________ County ____________________

Home Phone______________________________ Work Phone ________________________ Cellular /Pager ___________________

E-mail _____________________________________________________ Web site _________________________________________

I am a : DVM CVT State Licensed Rehabilitator Federally Licensed Rehabilitator

Licensed Rescue/Transport Volunteer Other ________________________________________________

I specialize in and will assist others with: _______________________________________________________________________

FWRA Membership InfoMembership Benefits include:• email group list to network with rehabilitators around the state • quarterly newsletters which provide rehabilitation techniques, environmental issues, and organization news • annual symposiums on rehabilitation and other areas of interest such as natural history,education, fundraising, administration, and regulations• a membership directory that can assist you in finding help throughout the state• the resource committee – experts on many subjects for help with unusual situations• corporate members receive free newsletter and web site advertising

This is a gift membership from: _________________________________________________________________________________

I was referred by FWRA member: ________________________________________________________________________________

All information listed in this section will be published in the FWRA members directory:

Annual Membership Levels: Individual -$20.00 New Corporate - $100.00 Renewal Other Donation

Please mail this form to : FWRA, Gail Straight, P.O. Box 1449, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

This information is vital to our goal of statewide networking!

Emergency contact for FWRA Disaster Committee use only (list all information here that you do not want published in the

directory, such as cell and work phones, for emergency use by FWRA’s disaster committee)

Name & number of the first person outside of your immediate household that you would call after a disaster so we can

contact them if we are unable to reach you: _____________________________________________________________________

Additional contact information: _________________________________________________________________________________

Fox Valley is a world leader manufacturer ofmilk (formula) replacement for orphaned

and injured wildlife.

Day One Formula milk replacers are species specific and all play a unqiue role in feeding young animals.

These products closely match the unique composition of mother’s milk, to assure proper nutrition if mothers

cannot, or will not, suckle their own.

Quantity discounts are now available.Call for more information.

Please call for more information.Sales / Technical Service: (800) 679-4666

Fax: (815) 578-4240

We have over 125 unique and specials diets to feed anything

from Aardvarks to Zebras!www.mazuri.com800-227-8941(corporate customer service info)

3030 MascotWichita, Kansas 67204Orders: 1-800-490-0118

Information: 316-831-9500

Freed Enterprises, Inc.Petiatric.com

www.petiatric.com

PAGE 7

Florida Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is a 501(c)(3) organizationA copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free

(800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

Name________________________________________________________ Affiliation_____________________________________

Address ___________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________ State _________ Zip __________ County ____________________

Home Phone______________________________ Work Phone ________________________ Cellular /Pager ___________________

E-mail _____________________________________________________ Web site _________________________________________

I am a : DVM CVT State Licensed Rehabilitator Federally Licensed Rehabilitator

Licensed Rescue/Transport Volunteer Other ________________________________________________

I specialize in and will assist others with: _______________________________________________________________________

FWRA Membership InfoMembership Benefits include:• email group list to network with rehabilitators around the state • quarterly newsletters which provide rehabilitation techniques, environmental issues, and organization news • annual symposiums on rehabilitation and other areas of interest such as natural history,education, fundraising, administration, and regulations• a membership directory that can assist you in finding help throughout the state• the resource committee – experts on many subjects for help with unusual situations• corporate members receive free newsletter and web site advertising

This is a gift membership from: _________________________________________________________________________________

I was referred by FWRA member: ________________________________________________________________________________

All information listed in this section will be published in the FWRA members directory:

Annual Membership Levels: Individual -$20.00 New Corporate - $100.00 Renewal Other Donation

Please mail this form to : FWRA, Gail Straight, P.O. Box 1449, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

This information is vital to our goal of statewide networking!

Emergency contact for FWRA Disaster Committee use only (list all information here that you do not want published in the

directory, such as cell and work phones, for emergency use by FWRA’s disaster committee)

Name & number of the first person outside of your immediate household that you would call after a disaster so we can

contact them if we are unable to reach you: _____________________________________________________________________

Additional contact information: _________________________________________________________________________________

Fox Valley is a world leader manufacturer ofmilk (formula) replacement for orphaned

and injured wildlife.

Day One Formula milk replacers are species specific and all play a unqiue role in feeding young animals.

These products closely match the unique composition of mother’s milk, to assure proper nutrition if mothers

cannot, or will not, suckle their own.

Quantity discounts are now available.Call for more information.

Please call for more information.Sales / Technical Service: (800) 679-4666

Fax: (815) 578-4240

We have over 125 unique and specials diets to feed anything

from Aardvarks to Zebras!www.mazuri.com800-227-8941(corporate customer service info)

3030 MascotWichita, Kansas 67204Orders: 1-800-490-0118

Information: 316-831-9500

Freed Enterprises, Inc.Petiatric.com

www.petiatric.com

Editor’s Desk Well here we are again in June and July looking ahead to the next 5 or 6 months, and cringing at the thought of an active hurricane season. But clearly, this season brings another major stress factor in the form of our looming oil disaster just miles from our beautiful coast line. We’re all sickened, scared, disgusted, but worst of all, we’re unsure of how to protect ourselves and our wonderful natural resources from this horrendous event. Since none of us are strangers to hurricanes, the years have taught us to have (albeit probably not a perfect one) a plan to protect, evacuate, assist, or even rebuild if needed. This oil situation is by far a different beast and in most ways, far more ominous. There appears to be nothing we can do to prepare. Heck, it seems we can’t even help. We are a smart, educated, well intentioned group of members, who I believe can take on just about any task and succeed if called upon. Many of you have conscientiously taken the online courses and many have signed up as paraprofessionals as suggested by USFWS. However, for some reason, we have heard that very few (if any) paraprofessionals or rehabilitators (people who have actually handled a wild animal!) are being called upon and that primarily government people are being utilized to capture troubled wildlife. Why!?! We, as an organization, get troubled and sometimes nasty emails from people wondering why we, as an organization, don’t do something. Well, we can’t. We’re not the Federal Agency in charge and since we take all of our direction from USFWS, we’re wallowing in a mute position until they ask us to engage in some way. Adding to our frustration is the fact that we haven’t been able to give you, our members, even a glimmer, not even an ounce, of positive direction. We all hear, read, and see the same sickening horror stories and we feel helpless and uninformed by those who direct us. We have hoped daily that this would begin to change. On Wednesday, June 30 at 7pm, the first open tele-forum with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Service, and TriState Bird Rescue and Research was conducted. We see this as a first step in the right direction to involve rehabilitators and paraprofessionals in any communication and planning. Good questions were asked … some were answered, but we believe that a good platform was founded from which to move forward. More of these tele-forums are expected. As a matter of fact, the next one will on Wednesday, July 14th from 7pm to 8pm EST. To participate (or just listen in), you can dial in at 7pm to 888-808-6959, conference code 488 3831. We will bring you subsequent dates and information and how to participate when we know it. In the meantime, let’s focus our efforts on the things we can control in our own personal and usually difficult rehab worlds. So, please take care of your health, your families, your volunteers, your patients, and by all means review your action plans for a potentially active storm season. When storms strike we want to know that you are ok. Most of you have updated your emergency numbers with us, but if you haven’t, please do.

Leslie Johnson, Editor

TSBRR (Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research) one of the leading rehab centers specializing in oiled wildlife, they know their way around guilty corporations. Website: www.tristatebird.org/response/services.htm

Report Oiled Wildlife: 866-557-1401

Wildlife Rehabber Volunteer: (must have proof of credentials) 404-679-7049

Non rehabber volunteer: 866-448-5816 www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org

Glimpse Operations http://bp.concerts.com/gom/environment_wildlife_15052010.htm

Hopefully when you read this, the spill will be contained! Be strong, rehabbers!!

Deb Anderson, DVMPresident FWRA

Letter from the President Continued from page 1

BIONIC BAIT COMPANYPOMPANO BEACH, FL

954-941-4665866-848-9289

WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR OF QUALITY

FROzEN FISH FOR WILDLIFE FOOD.

• Smelt• Squid• Sardines• Shrimp• Silversides

• Thread Herring• Glass Minnows• Capelin• Herring• Import/Export

P.O. Box 411087, Melbourne, FL 32941 P.O. BOX 1449ANNA MARIA, FL 34216

A n i m a l C a r e E q u i p m e n t & S e r v i c e s L L C 3075 75th Street (#2), Boulder, Co, USA 80301

www.animal-care.com email aces@animal-care.com

Handling & Capture Equipment Chemical Capture Veterinary &

Kennel Products Disease Control Uniforms & Accessories Professional

Development & Services

1—800 338—ACES (2237)

Reviewed by Hyta Mederer, P.H.D,Florida Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary

Identification Guide to the Snakes of FloridaSteve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGaritty

Homeopathic First Aid Kit$60 including freight

Contains 28 Remedies including:

Tea Tree OilAnalgesic Gel

CEH & Prid SalvePowdered Spirulina

Men & Ladies 16” Kevlar Gloves$36.50 including freight

And More!Talon Gloves for Birds

Mammel Gloves, Jesses

Write for New Catalog and Prices

Just recently published, the Identification Guide to the Snakes of Florida is a collection of clear, beautiful photos of the 46 native species of snakes in Florida, as well as severalcommonly found nonnative species. The photos are grouped according to the snakes’ most obvious markings: blotches, diamonds, stripes, crossbands, and solid coloration. Each section begins with the venomous species, followed by those snakes that are most often confused with them, and then followed by the other snakes that share the pattern. Because some snakes’ patterns change with age or vary with location, pictures of those snakes may be found in more than one section. The black racer, for example, is shown in the section on blotches as a juvenile and the section on solid colors as an adult.

Each snake species is listed with a description, and information on the habitat, size, diet, and scientific name. There is also a map with each species, indicating the range where the snake may be found. This guide includes numerous other features, such as 10 photos and descriptions ofhabitats where snakes are likely to be found in Florida, what to do or not do if bitten by a venomous snake, distinguishing features of venomous pit vipers and of nonvenomoussnakes and coral snakes, and information about two different groups of legless lizards that are often mistaken for snakes. This guide is printed on heavy card stock and is ring-bound. It is designed to be of use topeople who have little or no experience with Florida’s snakes and who need to be able to quickly identify one when they come across it. The authors hope that snakes will benefit from this guide by making it easy for people to determine which snakes are nonvenomous. This guide can be obtained from www.ifasbooks.com or at 800-226-1764.

UPCO has the products youneed at prices you can AFFORD.

We offer a 10% DISCOUNTto any licensed rehab operation.

P.O. Box 118Inglefield, IN 47618-9998www.rodentpro.com

Phone: (812) 867-7598Fax: (812) 867-6058E-mail: info@rodentpro.com