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From the WildARC
We have finished our ninth year as a Rehabilitation Center and I pause to reflect on our accomplishments. We are amazed we have been able to stay open to the public, and even more amazed at the public response to our needs. We are well enough known now that we have become a mainstay of the communities we serve. I am proud of our accomplishments and hope the support continues so that our doors will never close. As spring approaches, please read the Seasonal Information page to help you cope with babies in the wild. Did you know? All native birds in the United States are protected by the Federal government. Only three birds are not native - the European starling, the pigeon (rock dove) and the house (English) sparrow. The protection that the Federal government provides our native birds is mandated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and states: "No person shall take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase or barter, any migratory birds, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such bird except as may be permitted under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of [50 CFR 21 , Migratory Bird Permits]". The word "take" means the removal of any protected bird from its natural environment by any means, including shooting, trapping, relocating, or capturing it. That is why any wildlife rehabilitator who desires to care for any native wild birds must have a valid and current permit from the issuing authority of these permits, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I mention this because last year we received several red-tailed hawks that had been shot with buck shot. Only one of those hawks survived, and they all suffered tremendously before they were brought to us. It is difficult to understand how these shootings could be accidental or how a hawk could be mistaken for a duck or other game bird. Even though pigeons are not "protected" under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, using them for target practice is cruel. We received several pigeons that had been shot with BB's. None of them survived. It is extremely important that children who are given rifles or BB guns as gifts understand that they are not toys and can inflict serious damage. Shooting at anything that moves is not ethical or responsible and parents should make sure they instruct their children about the dangers of these weapons. Compassion and understanding of our native wildlife is a great attribute of which any person can be proud. We are deeply disturbed about our beautiful area. If you look at the Stats Page you will see that for three years running our numbers have dropped. We can look at that saying animals need less and less of our help and that would be just great! But as we drive around our three county area in our heart we don't believe that is right. Eastern North Carolina is being advertised nationwide as a great retirement area. And now we watch with concern the indiscriminate destruction of our natural environment to make room for houses, roads and people. Huge tracts of woodland, farmland and marshland have disappeared in just a few years. It's great to provide homes for people but where do the original inhabitants of this land go? The law of nature dictates that if habitat disappears the animal moves on to better habitat. But unfortunately, there isn't much habitat to move to anymore. If they can't move on they must adapt to this new "environment" or die. We receive hundreds of calls a year about some wild thing in someone's yard, "Come get him out of here, I am scared to death"! We sympathize with the animal, not the human. Without these wild animals in our environment we will face devastating consequences. These animals provide a balance to this planet earth that cannot be replaced. We wish we had the solution to this problem, but we don't. It is something all of us must look at seriously as a species and turn the tide around.
Home About WildARC Stats Wild Profiles! Links Education Support Shopping Seasonal Information Find A Rehabber email us at: info@wildarc.org Last Updated On : 03/03/2008
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