What happens when wild animals get orphaned, sick or injured
By Mimi Vanderhaven
You can’t take a walk in the wild without appreciating soaring birds, skittering squirrels or precocious foxes. But what happens when these animals are injured, orphaned or sick?
In Lake County, many of them end up at the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland. Most are rehabilitated and released back to the wild, but some with injuries that would prevent that become permanent residents at the Center, and part of its educational outreach programs at local schools and events.
“To keep our wildlife thriving in captivity, we offer enrichment that includes physically and mentally stimulating them to mimic their natural behaviors in the wild,” says Tammy O’Neil, Lake Metroparks Wildlife Center Care Manager. “We utilize all of their senses to keep animals in captivity from getting bored, exercise their muscles and stimulate their minds.”
She says their current group of 30 animal ambassadors includes turtles, foxes, owls, falcons, eagles, rabbits, opossum and skunks.
“Every species is different and utilizes different senses for survival, so we try to mimic that in captivity. Enriching them daily is important and meeting each species needs is a well thought out process,” says Tammy.
Although the Center is currently closed to the public due to Covid and not able to accept rescued animals, its animal ambassadors are in need of help.
You can donate enrichment items, first aid products and nutritional supplies through an Amazon Wish List link on its site. Any purchases you make can be shipped with contactless delivery directly to the Center.
Top items they need to help care for animals include hoses, nozzles, small digital scale, Ultra Dawn dishwashing soap, Bounce paper towels, laundry detergent and bleach, and gift cards to Amazon, Lowe’s, Marcs, Pet Supplies Plus and Tractor Supply Co.
All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law and cash donations are always accepted.
The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center is located at the Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland. Due to Covid, it is currently closed and cannot accept injured or orphaned animals, however there’s a list of other rehabilitators at goto.lakemetroparks.com/wildlifecenter. The Wildlife Helpline is 440-256-1404, ext. 2131.