WILD THINGS!
Dear Readers, I’ve been toying with the idea of expressing my creative talents and decided to take pen, ‘er make that tail, in hand and just go for it.  I’ll be stopping by periodically too in the official role as volunteer journalist for Florida Wild Mammal Association (FWMA).  Be sure to check my column often for updates!  Today I’d like to give you a brief background of FWMA and one of the highlights of the past year.
 
FWMA was incorporated in 1994 and is located in rural Wakulla County on 6-plus acres.  The center provides wildlife rescue services and education programs to Wakulla County and six additional rural, coastal counties from Perry to Panama City.  We all know this area as the Big Bend.  Each year I witness more and more animals brought to the center.  I must say, FWMA is constantly expanding its services to better care for their patients and to keep its educational programs up to date.  Currently the facility consists of 22 outdoor enclosures, a 2 ½ acre deer pen, a small kitchen/animal care room, and a medical room.  Can you imagine how much energy it takes a little mouse like me to make my rounds checking on patients all day long!

Now when the storms blow through here, why that’s a whole different ballgame.  Did you know that on the very day after Hurricane Dennis struck our area, FWMA volunteers rescued 155 brown pelicans?  These folks worked from sun-up to sun-down saving pelis.  Imagine standing before a sea of frightened, injured and/or orphaned pelicans, all in need of nurturing.  That’s what I was able to do.  Why?  Because imagine if you will, all 155 pelicans in your own home!  That’s where the pelicans were housed; in my home!  OK, it’s actually the home of Chris Beatty, founder and executive director of FWMA, but you see my point.
 
All told, the storms brought us over 200 pelicans.  The pelican’s plight generated an outpouring of support.  Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Pelican Harbor Seabird Sanctuary, and Florida Wildlife Care quickly mobilized and transported 123 pelicans to their sites.  Twenty-six pelicans perished or had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.  The remainder have been healed, rehabilitated and/or raised, and released.  Our gratitude for this valiant effort extends to our community and to our very own Ralph and Madam (pictured above) along with the sanctuaries that lent immediate assistance.
 
Two of my very dear friends, Ralph and Madam, take credit for raising the brood of pelican babies.  Ralph and Madam are permanent adult pelican residents at FWMA.  Each were rescued eleven years ago, each has only one wing - the others were lost after being damaged by fishing lines, but both Ralph and Madam are an integral part of our volunteer family.  You see, Ralph and Madam are surrogate parents to all of FWMA’s pelican babies.  As foster parents, they raise the young and teach them necessary survival skills prior to their release back into their natural environment.  At the end of season, I did overhear Ralph tell Madam that those kids gave him a few more gray feathers!

The folks at FWMA, along with Ralph and Madam, are busy preparing for the coming season.  There’s lots to do and if I don’t watch out, I’m about to get run over!  Nevertheless, if paws and claws, feathers and fur, and scales and tails tug at your heartstrings, why not take a look at our volunteer job list.  We can always use an extra set of hands!  There are many, many interesting jobs and one might be a perfect fit for you.  If your heart is in the right place but your pockets are deeper, FWMA needs two 10x30 portable buildings to accommodate nurseries.  Shhhh, listen, the woods are full of pregnant anticipation.  Soon Baby Season will be here.  I’ll be back in another article to tell you all about what happens then in detail!  An immediate need, though, is to get the nurseries ready ASAP, which two portable buildings will take care of quite nicely.  
Each building costs $4,000 and must be outfitted with modern conveniences such as plumbing, electric, flooring, wall treatments, cabinetry, drains, etc.  The cost of materials and labor to outfit each building will cost yet another $3,500 each.  Of course you know, don’t you, that any financial support you give to FWMA is completely tax deductible for you on next year’s tax return!  Miss Chris would sure appreciate any volunteer help with the actual labor involved too so if you’ve got trade skills or are just a darn good handy-person, why not give Miss Chris a call and let her know what you can do to help!
 
Have I tapped your curiosity?  I hope so.  Would you like to see a picture of Ralph and Madam?   Well then, please visit our website at www.wakullawildlife.org.  And now I see that by the Hickory, Dickory Dock Clock, I must bring my commentary to a close and scurry off for my visit with Frosty.  So as I clean off my tail, let me bid you adieu my friend, and oh yes, must make note to self, pick-up more ink!  Until next time - - -

    Anony Mous  
    

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