Waterfowl rescue center looking for new home

[Mergie Master]

Now I know where all those sky busted ducks go to get medical treatment. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Waterfowl rescue center looking for new home
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/266173.html

N.C. group might have to end program that helps injured birds, ducks

Hundreds of injured waterfowl waddled, limped or were otherwise carried to the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in Charlotte this year for refuge and care.

This spring, they might be forced to leave.

Some 800 birds were helped this year, the rescue center’s highest intake number yet. The group found homes for more than 200 domestic ducks in an adoption program.

Now, the land the nonprofit organization leases is for sale, and the group hasn’t been able to find a new home, said Jennifer Gordon, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue’s director. Gordon says she’ll have to end the program if she can’t find a place to go.

“There’s got to be somebody in the area who has land they don’t want to be developed, or are interested in supporting wildlife,” Gordon said.

Gordon said the group is severely limited in its land choices. It receives little income and can’t pay rent. The nature of its work places restrictions on the setting. The group doesn’t want to be too far from Charlotte, where most of its volunteers live.

Ideally, Gordon said, the group is looking for 1 to 4 acres with a pond or lake. It needs access to a ground well to fill feeding pools and for cleaning, since the group doesn’t have money for water bills. While it’s able to operate without electricity, Gordon said access to electricity would “be nice.”

The site must be protected, if not isolated, from neighbors. Not because the group isn’t friendly, Gordon says, but because the birds are just too tempting for children who may want to chase the animals or feed them.

“We have no staff, and nobody’s there during the day,” Gordon said. Without a somewhat-hidden site, “there’s no way to keep kids from going to look at the animals,” she said.

If the rescue has to close, no other current local group can fill in the void, Gordon said. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is the only area agency taking in injured ducks, blue herons and geese. The Carolina Raptor Center, another nonprofit bird refuge, only takes birds of prey such as hawks, eagles and owls.

[GMAC]

Wildlife rescue operations are sentimental wastes of money. Carolina Wildlife Rescue has a budget of at least $250,000.00, which they use to raise orphaned squirrels and nurse injured starlings. For the same money, they could purchase and preserve enough habitat to provide homes for thousands of squirrels and birds. I doubt they release 100 rehabilitated creatures a year.

[Catdaddy]

Why don't they sell those injured ducks to the release crowd?

Most of theirs don't fly anyway.

[Mergie Master]

GMAC, I agree 100%. Just a feel good operation that does nothing to help in the big scheme.

Good idea Cat! [img]graemlins/thumb2.gif[/img]

[luv2hunt]

Chinese restaurants are always looking

[MC]

Or dog trainers are always looking for birds to work their dogs with.

I had a real estate agent that I was working with one time try to get me to donate money to build a fence around a wild animal rescue center in Irmo. She said foxes were getting in at night and killing the birds. I told her foxes were wild animals and needed to eat too. She didn't see my logic.

[BigBrother]

Originally posted by GMAC:
and nurse injured starlings.

An invasive species that in all rights should be eliminated.

A squadron of those little noisy bastards will not leave the soffits alone in the farm house...they are worse than squirrels about getting in there and tearing shit up.

[Turd Ferguson]

I am seeking a annual 1 million dollar grant from the Fed's so that I can create an ant farm to protect unwanted fireants- If I get enough money I will come to your residence and collect one dozen specimens of the colony before you eradicate it so that their family genes and DNA have a chance to repopulate and not die out. PETA is not wanting to help- if this doesnt take off this year I will attempt a Mosquito preserve next.

[BOGSTER]

[img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Sneaks]

This is horrible. Please keep us updated and let me know if you find out when they have to shut it down. Due to the drought this year, there is a big hole in my freezer that I usually use as a holding pen for wounded (mortally) wood ducks. Please let them know I have plenty of room and I can assure them that they don't have to worry about children "chasing or playing" with the ducks while they are in my care. Thanks.