​The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center has performed 493 rescues over the past ten years.
by Tammy O’Neil, Wildlife Care Manager
We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village,” and that certainly applies to rescuing wildlife. Most of the 2,500 animals the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center receives for rehabilitation annually are a result of individuals happening upon an injured or orphaned animal in their yard, along the road or at a place of business. Once an animal is found, a call is made to the Wildlife Center Hotline, where our wildlife experts ask a series of questions to assess the situation and advise the caller on the best steps to take (or not to take in some cases). Does the animal really need assistance or is distance the best gauge for a successful outcome? If the animal truly needs help, instruction is then given on the safest and best way for the animal to be caught and brought to us for examination and determination of the best outcome for the animal.
There are some situations when it is not best for the public to attempt to rescue an animal. Some species and situations require trained professionals for the health and safety of both the animal and the public. When one of these situations presents itself, the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center has a small group of dedicated and well-trained volunteers who rescue wildlife. These volunteers go through safety, animal handling and first aid training and have the proper safety equipment for handling animals. At times, Wildlife Center staff may be needed for certain rescues. We also call upon our “village” of fellow rehabilitators and organizations to get the animals the help they need when we are unable to rescue animals ourselves. Lake Metroparks Rangers, local police, Ohio Division of Natural Resources (ODNR) staff, other county park districts, rehabilitators, and other animal organizations assist us with rescues when needed.
A broad-winged hawk is rescued after hitting a window and suffering head trauma.
For example, several of the bobcat kittens the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center has taken for rehabilitation were brought to us by organizations working together to rescue them and transport them to our facility. Most of the kittens are from southern Ohio, so ODNR officers, volunteers and other rehabilitation facilities work to transport the kittens to us within a few hours of them being found. This summer, two eaglets from Mentor Marsh were rescued by staff from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, volunteers, and staff from the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center. Having this “village” network is important to get wildlife the help they need.
An opossum needs rescuing after being attacked by a dog.
There are times, however, that animals may not need help. Some behaviors we think are unusual or odd may be perfectly normal for a particular species. Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff can provide information regarding natural wildlife behaviors during an assessment, especially if it is a species unfamiliar to you. Assessments also allow us to address whether an animal is truly orphaned or if it has just lost its way or fallen out of a nest, etc. In these situations, if the animal is not injured, we can talk you through reuniting young animals with their parents.
A bald eagle is assessed by Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff after being rescued at the Mentor Marsh.
If you encounter an injured or orphaned animal, the best thing to do is call our Wildlife Hotline so we can advise you on the best course of action. The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center is accepting animals by appointment ONLY, between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Only animals booked with an appointment can be accepted and cared for. You may also visit lakemetroparks.com and click the “Help for Wild Animals” tab for reliable information and a list of other local permitted wildlife rehabilitators, nuisance animal trappers and local wildlife officers. Thank you for being part of our “village” to help wildlife!