Megan Mosby
Executive Director
The spring is sprinkled with special occasions at Liberty Wildlife. Aside from our Open Hour activities, we have some fun, seasonal events that you might want to put on your calendar.
The first event is our third annual “Sippin’ the Spirit of the Southwest”. This year’s happening spotlights the “cowboy” influence on our southwestern culture. We will feature sippin’ with Arizona Distilling Company, Tecate, Dos XX, Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine, Dirty Tequila, Tito’s Vodka and bar drinks for those who are of age and choose them. If you arrive not only thirsty but also hungry there will be barbeque to dine on. Merchandise vendors, games and raffles will be serenaded by live music from Nashville recording artist and songwriter, Rob West. Rob is a proud 5th generation Arizonan, and his music reflects his southwest upbringing offering a mainstream sound with an old school country flair. Show your flair, if you choose to, by pulling on your favorite boots and grabbing your Stetson for a yeehaw good time.
Following on the heels of this fun event will be our April 19, 2020 Wild Ones Baby Shower. This delightful event supporting our Orphan Care department will offer crepes and cocktails from 11 to 2. There will be orphans to observe as they are cared for by our Orphan Care volunteer team. Jeoride will be entertaining us with her dulcet delights. There will be games, giveaways, a silent auction, raffle and a fun addition will be a recognition for best hat…Right-o, don your favorite topper to possibly win a prize for the best chapeau.
Later in the spring our second annual Wine, Whiskey and Wildlife will appear on our calendar, but the date is yet to be confirmed. Watch for details on that event.
For events that include the under 21 as well as the older “Kids” we will feature our little ones baby bird shower and our Arbor Day Wish Tree event. More details will follow on those two events so keep a keen eye out for them. Our web site, www.libertywildlife.org is a font of information about the ins and outs of events at our facility and in the community. Don’t hesitate to inquire if you don’t find the information you are looking for regarding these happenings. Contact info@libertywildlife.org.
Remember, these events are critical for allowing us to do ALL that we do to help the wildlife that you bring to us. It is these events that fund all the educational activities that we provide throughout the state. It is these events that allow us to provide feathers to Native Americans to use in their religious and cultural practices. It is these events that support our mission to Nurture the Nature of Arizona. We will always do our part. It is great when you help as you can.
I look forward to seeing you at one and/or all of these events. Show the colors and get out your stompin’ boots and your bonnets and help Liberty Wildlife continue to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
This Week @ Liberty – Jan 28, 2020
It’s still pretty slow at the intake window, but the slack time gives us the opportunity to jump on longer term projects before the season cranks up in earnest. We’re doing some rearranging of spaces, moving some animals around, (moving some people around as well!) and redoing some of the facility set up, namely the floor in the modular building. In addition, we are gearing up for a few of the bigger fund raising events that we host now on an annual basis, plus we’re now offering Memberships to people who want to support us in an ongoing manor. All these projects take time and effort, plus the volunteers still have to attend to the injured animals that continue to arrive for care…
Apparently birds bother the Air Force so in the interest of preventing bird strikes, lots of birds are removed from the area around Luke AFB. This is accomplished by several means, not the least of which is trapping. The lucky ones escape major injuries in the process and are recovered from the traps in a more-or-less timely manner. This pretty prairie falcon is one such “lucky” bird who was brought to us for care and ultimate relocation. It got an ID band and is now in an outside enclosure prior to release.
(Look for two photos)
On a recent afternoon, we got a message from Delphia of Arizona Wild Rescue who had rescued a bald eagle that was suspected to have lead poisoning. When the bird arrived, the diagnosis was confirmed and treatment was started. Judging from where the eagle was found (near the Heber/Overgaard area), the supposition is that the bird likely found one of the many horses that had been shot in that locale. Many people think that eagles are strictly piscivorous, but in fact they are opportunistic scavengers and finding a horse that had been killed by lead ammunition would have been a welcome find for this majestic bird. Sadly, they are just as susceptible to ingesting lead bullet fragments as California condors and suffer similar problems. In fact, there have probably been more eagles than condors killed by lead poisoning, strengthening the case against using lead ammunition for any shooting, especially the illegal shooting of wild horses. Unfortunately, this eagle was too far gone to be saved and died a couple of days after it arrived.
(Look for two pictures)
We haven’t gotten a lot of baby birds in…yet. But as usual, this time of year we are seeing some first year owls and hawks that have yet to learn what they can and can’t get away with in the wild. A couple of kestrels and GHO’s made it through the process recently and got leg bands to go into outside enclosures prior to release. One cooper’s hawk was captured in the underwear department of a Walmart store in Casa Grande. It was not noted how he got into the store, or what exactly he was shopping for, but he is currently being treated for a wing injury sustained someplace along the way!
(look for four photos)
We are currently bracing for the inevitable onslaught of ducklings that arrive each year in the spring. But prior to this, some adult ducks of various breeds show up looking for help. This mostly domestic duck came in presenting slight injuries and quickly became the darling of Vet Night last week. He seemed to thrive on the attention from all the vets and techs who “examined” him before he went outside. Then, this really pretty example of an Arizona mallard came in and was also treated to some special TLC by the staff.
(Look for two photos)
Recently, a very nice lady brought in this house finch who presented an eye infection. The bird is currently doing well, being treated by all our top of the line vets and specialists. This lady has donated at a remarkable level over the last few years and has also given us lots of equipment and other things we use in rehabbing our animals. It only proves what kind-hearted people support Liberty and our efforts to provide the best care for ALL birds and animals, no natter how big or small.
(Look for one photo)
Even though our facility is only three years old, some things were not designed to withstand the use we give them. Case in point, the floor in the Mod building. This is where all of the food is prepared for all the animals and it is cleaned often. The cleaning involves mopping the floor which was normal linoleum tiles glued to a basically wooden floor. As the water got under the tiles, they began to pop up and soon there were gaps in the floor covering. Volunteer Robert Coonrod found someone to donate all new flooring with installation and not only procured the material and labor, but he did most of the work to remove the old tiles in preparation for the new stuff. Our Daily Care Coordinator, Alex Stofko, honchoed the removal of the refrigerators and stores from within the building, and is now overseeing the finishing touches on the new floor. Between Robert and Alex, this monumental project was carried out with a minimum of disruption to the normal operation. Thanks to you both!!
(Look for three pictures)
In an attempt to more properly utilize the space and the animals who resided in the office room on the east side, these mammals were recently relocated to new quarters in the interactive classroom. Now visitors will be able to see and experience them as we intended all along. Thanks to Jim Henderson and Dr. Irv Ingram for the labor to install the new enclosures and to Alex and Jan for managing the job as it unfolded. Stop in and see the little “furs” on your next visit!
(Look for four pictures)
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Posted by Terry Stevens
Operations Director
House finches and many other feeder birds are susceptible to contracting conjunctivitis. The best way to prevent the spread of this disease is to keep the seed fresh and to use a 10% bleach solution when regularly cleaning seed platforms and water features.
The new modular flooring is BEAUTIFUL! Thanks Robert, Alex and the flooring guys. I am sure it was a really big job but so worth it.
As for the deceased lead-poisoned bald eagle…if you are a hunter (or “varmint” shooter), please switch to non-lead ammunition. We need to keep our eagles and condors from becoming collateral victims. PLEASE make the decision to switch!