Sanctuary News
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
September 2006
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Greetings!
Five juvenile Foxes were set free on Sunday, September 24. Brothers and sisters, they came to WRR after being rescued from a drainage ditch after a heavy rain storm last spring. The mother was nowhere to be found, and the babies were cold, shivering and covered in the sludge of the ditch. The Foxes lived at Wildlife Rescue for five months while they grew big and strong enough to be set free again. They feasted on a diet specific to their development and one that enabled them to recognize their food in the wild. They were housed together and human contact was kept to a minimum in order to allow them to remain wild. This past Sunday morning, we loaded up the Foxes into carriers to be transported to a rural area south of San Antonio. The location is rife with cedar, juniper and cactus and has a year-round water source and plenty of places for them to build dens and have a happy life. The three crates were placed side by side in a clearing. We scattered food nearby so that they would have something to eat for their first few nights on their own. When the crates were opened, they came out one at a time, tentative of the new world around them. This was a huge world with open sky and no walls. While we sat in stillness and silence, waiting to witness the Foxes’ first moments of life in the wild, each made his or her way out of the crates, several minutes apart, sniffed the air and the ground and finally took off to the back of an arroyo. I was foolishly concerned that if they did not exit the crates simultaneously, they might never find each other in the wild, but once again, we underestimated Animal's sensitivity and intellect. The litter-mates all waited at a safe distance for each of their brothers and sisters to join them. When the last one seemed to hesitant to exit, one Fox came back up the hill, closer to the crates as if to say “It will all be fine.” Seeing his sibling, the last one stepped out and joined the rest as they disappeared into the thicket.

The animal caretakers, interns and volunteers put their time, energy and heart into rehabilitating Animals in need. It is a happy day at Wildlife Rescue when we can be certain the Animals no longer need us and they can be released from our care and set free to live in the wild.
Book Preview Party: There is still time to RSVP for the book preview party! It will be a chance to visit with Lynn, get your autographed copy and enjoy the rare opportunity to hear Lynn read one of her own stories. Saturday, September 30 from 10am-12pm. The reading will take place promptly at 11:00. Call ahead for directions. RSVP if you can attend to 210- 698-1709, 830-336-2725 or bradyh@wildlife- rescue.org. This is a members-only event. No sanctuary tours will be conducted.

San Antonio Book Signing: On Saturday, October 14 at 3:00 the Barnes & Noble at I-10 and DeZavala will host a book signing event. Please come by to see Lynn and bring your friends!
I am always amazed by the beautiful creatures who pass by my office window – the Geese who gathered to play in a sprinkler those hot days in August, the pink Pig named Violet making a wallow in the shade, the Rabbits hopping across the yard. Only a few days ago, I was able to witness a touching moment between two of our resident animals, Chocolate the Goat and a baby Mouflon Sheep. Two different species, each with their own set of challenges – one physical and one emotional – who found a best friend in each other.

At feeding time, just like our Dogs and Cats at home who know the sound of a can opener, the Sheep, Goats, Cows and everyone else know the sounds of the cart and steps of the people who bring them their daily food. As a staff member entered the pasture with a big bag of food, the Mouflon and Chocolate headed towards her. Young and able-bodied, the Mouflon ran and bounded towards his afternoon snack, leaving the slow-moving, physically-disabled Chocolate way behind. When he came to the food, he turned around to find his friend and seeing that she was still nearly back where they started, he abandoned the food, ran back to her and walked slowly, at her pace, side by side until they reached that bowl together. It is moments like these, the glimpses from my window, that keep me inspired and awed to do my best for the Animals.
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation has been awarded permanent custody of a marmoset, formerly for sale in a San Antonio “pet” shop. You may have seen this case on the local news in the past weeks. He was confiscated by SAPD and brought to WRR until the court hearing. We lost the first case and were ordered to return him to the “pet” store owners, but we were able to obtain a restraining order to keep him pending the appeal. The appeal case was settled out of court, details confidential even to WRR, but the end-result is that the Marmoset will stay here at Wildlife Rescue for the rest of his life. He will enjoy a large enclosure, over 20 feet tall with trees, grass, sunshine and fresh air, and the companionship of two other Marmosets. This Monkey is just one of thousands who are bought and sold in the exotic pet trade every year, but one, this Marmoset won freedom from that terrible life.
The long, hot days of summer are behind us, and the recent cold front is an early reminder of all the things we need to do to prepare for winter at the sanctuary. The heaters in the Primate and Reptile warm houses need to be cleaned and turned on to be sure they are functioning, and we must stock up on bedding hay to keep everyone warm. We are conducting diet reviews to be sure we are meeting the seasonal nutritional needs of each and every animal and monitoring health and behavior as the temperatures fluxuate from night to day. Dietary needs and nutritional supplements are very important to the survival of the sanctuary residents who naturally live in South America, Africa and Southern Asia. While our Texas winters are mild, they do not feel so to them.

Please help us meet the dietary needs of our residents. Oatmeal, polenta, nuts, raisins, peanut butter, molasses, honey, dried fruits and healthy cereals all make excellent additions to the standard fare of fruits and veggies. We can also use bales of hay for winter bedding. Please think of Wildlife Rescue the next time you are shopping, and pick up something extra for the Animals. The sanctuary staff is here 7 days a week to accept your donations.

Please feel free to share our newsletter with family and friends! Thank you for supporting Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation.

Sincerely,
Angela Grimes
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

phone: 830-336-2725