Animal Protection (Q4 2011)

Featured beneficiary in the ANIMAL PROTECTION category for fourth quarter 2011:

OPERATION WILDLIFE

Operation WildLife (OWL) has been providing rehabilitation and veterinary services to injured and orphaned wild animals in northeast Kansas for over 20 years. According to Kansas Wildlife and Parks Statistics, Operation WildLife is the largest publicly funded wildlife clinic in Kansas.

OWL receives thousands of wild animals each year, with release rates averaging 69%, 20% higher than the national average.

Injured, orphaned or displaced animals are received from a variety of sources: Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Highway patrol and other law enforcement agencies, animal control officers, veterinarians and private individuals.

After emergency needs are met and the animal is stabilized, a program for total recovery is designed. Steps in the recovery program include:

• Medical attention
• Special housing
• Natural foods or close substitutes
• Siblings" and/or "foster parents" for juveniles

One important obstacle that Operation WildLife is battling is the measurements of the eagle enclosure. The enclosure measures 15 X 16 X 80 and USFW guidelines want it to be 20 X 16 X 100. The ability of OWL to rehabilitate injured eagles is being threatened. They have a goal to raise $ 25,000 to rebuild the existing enclosure. OWL receives no state or federal funding and relies entirely on donations to exist.