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BATS: THEY'RE IMPORTANT...REALLY
Late spring will bring to us again, among other circumstances, the flying insect assault. There are many creatures dependent upon these insects for their survival. Once the shade
of night is lifted, swallows, flycatchers, and pygmy owls are among many others searching for and capturing food for themselves and their offspring with the bright sun as their witness. As old sol's fingers spread
over the horizon, permission to awake and participate in the forest and lake is given to our nocturnal residents. If you are very observant in listening and watching carefully, you may see nightjars, flammulated
owls, flying squirrels and bats participating in the flying smorgasbord above you.
The least understood and most abused
of these creatures is our local bat. It returns to its roost and nursery location every year to keep a hold on the overwhelming reproduction of flying insects. Our local bats are insectivores. They only eat insects. Flying insects. When you notice in the evening light what appears to be a small bird swooping and diving above the water and through the tall tree limbs, you are probably observing the marvelous flight dance of a little brown myotis bat -- eating. Really. One of these precious mammals can capture and devour over one thousand flying insects in one hour. They eat their weight in insects every night. Really. They rest in the crevices of bark on our large trees. Then, when ready to fly again, drop toward the ground, spread their wings and continue their meal. If one of these flyers finds the ground instead of the tree bark to grip, they pull themselves along the ground with their claws (one on each wing -- similar to our thumb) to the nearest tree and proceed to climb...to safety, position their body head down ready to drop/fly after a rest. After a full night, before the sun's return, these social diners return as a colony (as they left) to their housing. The females return to the nursery and the males have their bachelor pad area of residence not far away. Really.
Just as we need time to learn the ropes of survival, make mistakes, grow old -- so do these misunderstood small mammals from the order of Chiroptera. These non-primates are most
closely related to humans. Really.
Without this marvelous balance between day and night, predator and prey, our world would be quite different. Unfortunately, our pets do not understand the need for these wild
creatures to co-exist. Events occur which take many small predators out of their natural function. When your pet plucks an unsuspecting resident from outside, please, call WSI and refer to the rescue section in this
newsletter and contain it. We may be able to help. Always use caution and never risk injury to yourself. These small wonders are able to defend themselves by biting whatever they view to be threatening them. When a
pup falls from its mothers grip, it will die if not cared for. Call WSI immediately at (530) 546-1211 for advice, keep the baby warm, dark, and quiet and transport ASAP.
WILD AGAIN
He had a red mustache and personality to fit. This northern red-shafted flicker
would not relent. Though his leg was fractured and unusuable, his desire to keep going was every bit in tact. This guy had no problem finding and consuming his diet: beetle larva and water. The leg splint was maintained and his bone mended satisfactorily. When looking up through our pine and fir forests, if you hear the flicker's call and see the red shafts gliding by, remember the resilient nature this avian illustrates and enjoy his flight, understanding that our many trees need him to protect them from invading insects.
A mourning dove, hungry and cold, flew into the WSI compound during one of our very cold spells recently. After several weeks of food and water, she decided the compound was a safe
place to return to occasionally for a meal or two.
The young female coyote
was reported as wandering among cars in an Alpine Meadows parking lot. Around lunch time for skiers, the coyote didn't seem too concerned. Employees at Alpine Meadows called Placer County Animal Control Officer Hal Jordan who responded quickly. He tranquilized and transported her to his facility, and advised WSI. The WSI emergency representative on duty responded, collected the canine for observation and gave her space to recover from what appeared to be shock. Apparently the night before, the coyote was hunting near the roadside of an Alpine Meadows lane and was struck with a light blow from a fast-moving car. She recovered enough to get to her feet, but not enough to stay out of harm's way: people. Within 72 hours at the WSI clinic, she had recovered fully, knew who she was and was ready to return to her world of coyote play upon the mountain ridges and meadows. So, off she went.
A round head rises and falls on a small feathered body balanced on stilts, grounded and living for three days and nights on a snow-bound hillside at Squaw Valley in February. Might this yellow-eyed avian be a bit off
course after one of Tahoe's winter storms? Yes! This burrowing owl
just needed a spot to rest, eat and fly (just a little, because burrowing owls spend most of their time on the ground and reside in burrows prepared by ground rodents). These bright eyes are intent on watching intruders and hiding from them. This small, adult, diurnal owl is easily stressed in captivity, so privacy is essential. The housing set up for this little creature is two-fold: a large space to run, eat, drink, hop and fly with an additional enclosure to allow for hiding when desired. Spring will allow it to return to a home where many other burrowing owls live in California. In the mean time,
THANK YOU, JULIETTE, a Squaw Valley Guest Services employee, for rescuing this wonderful daytime owl so a second chance may be had for one of the many species suffering from loss
of habitat.
NOTE: If you find a wild animal of any kind, please do not try to raise or care for it yourself. You then condemn it to captivity because human imprinting is often a death sentence in the wild.
MEET MIKE RYAN, D.V.M.
Since 1988, WSI has benefitted from the services of eleven veterinarians, all residing either in the Tahoe Basin or Truckee. Dr. Ryan, from Sierra Pet Clinic, is one of these contributors.
Mike and his wife, Laura, met in Berkeley, CA on the UC campus where Laura majored in Anthropology and Mike in biology. They married in 1970 and moved to Telluride, CO, after graduation whereupon they opened and ran
a restaurant from 1972-1980. After the sale of the restaurant, they moved on to Ft. Collins, CO, where Mike took up veterinarian studies at Colorado State University. Returning to California in 1986, he practiced at
Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in Roseville before purchasing Dr. Collinson's veterinary practice, Sierra Pet Clinic, in Truckee, CA in 1987.
Truckee is a place where Mike and his family enjoy skiing, backpacking, hiking, and travel to many other places. His daughter, Nicole, 20, works at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort part-time and attends Sierra College. His son,
Shaughn, 16, is a junior at Truckee High School and keeps his family trekking the sports circuit in support of his many athletic talents.
As a member and active supporter of the Horsemen's Association for several years, Mike was president from about 1991 to 1993 and selected to be Truckee Rodeo's Grand Marshall in 1995. His contributions to WSI as a
member of the Board of Directors are appreciated in addition to the many hours spent assisting WSI's interns with their medical training. His wildlife focus has shown no boundaries. His concern and ability in
treating both large and small animals, relieving their pain and suffering, giving many a second chance at survival.
A recent purchase of 13 acres off Prosser Dam Road has Dr. Ryan planning his next attachment to
the area: farming.
What a Guy!! Thank you, Mike Ryan, DVM.
THANK YOU, DR. TOWNSLEY AND WELCOME TO LAKE TAHOE, DR. QUECKE
WSI appreciates the support Dr. Gregg Townsley's practice, Agape Animal Hospital, provided many of our patients over the years. We wish Dr. Townsley and his family much happiness and success in his new adventures in
Hood River, Oregon.
In December 1995, Justin Quecke, D.V.M., moved to the north shore of Lake Tahoe. He purchased Agape Animal Hospital in January and continues this veterinary practice as Agate Bay Animal Hospital. Dr. Quecke and his
wife, Mary, moved here from Redding, CA, where he worked with Dr. Troop at Redding Veterinary Hospital. They consulted and treated many area wildlife injuries and illnesses. He raised ostriches and emus on a ranch
in the Redding area for three years.
Before Redding, Anaheim and Fountain Valley in Southern California were his locations of practice. A graduate of Ohio State University, Dr. Quecke brings over 38 years of veterinary experience with him, and he is a
member of the Tahoe City Rotary.
His two sons, David and James, and four grandchildren plan on many visits to our area from Modesto and Orange County.
WSI welcomes Dr. Quecke and his family with open arms and we wish him every success in his new practice in Kings Beach. We very much appreciate his support of our area wildlife and look forward to returning his wild
patients to their natural habitat.
SPECIAL PEOPLE
Thanks to Truckee Elementary School for a very successful "penny drive" which netted $204 which they donated to WSI for much needed caging and food for our critters.
Thank you Tahoe Truckee High School Student Body for your generous $100 donation to be used for animal food and medications.
Thanks to Western Nevada Supply
for their donations of a water heater, exhaust ducting and plumbing supplies making our clinic a more comfortable place for animal patients, interns and volunteers.
Thank you to Hal, Carl, and Lisa at Placer County Animal Control for their continued professional spirit and wildlife assistance.
Thank you to Dan at Truckee Animal Control for his many efforts to assist local wildlife.
Thank you to Peggy Kidman, Sandra Mann, Ed Ferguson, Mark Jenkins, and Cindy Lehr of Washoe County
for their continued efforts to help Lake Tahoe wildlife in their escape from our fast-moving machines.
Thank you to Mary Long for her concern about Lake Tahoe's wildlife and their many collisions with people who leave them to die.
Thank you to Sue Cauhape for her support of WSI, data entry, and many visits to our supporters with donation jars.
Thank you to Lynn Meadows for her work on Wild Footprints and her many years of support and friendship.
Thank you to Jenny and Gina at Dr. Lane's office in Incline Veterinary Hospital for their continued support in assisting WSI.
Thank you to Diana Collard of Sierra Nevada College for her hard work and tremendous efforts during her Fall internship at WSI.
Thank you to Brooks Bloomfield, DVM from Sierra Pet Clinic who has given many hours assisting local wildlife through their second chances.
FOX ELUSIVE
Pathway passes but Fox
humble hummock Keen
a bulging belly Quick
for a Elusive
metropolis
of mice. spies movement
from the center of his eye
Driving along the freeway
I spy movement pounces
in the corner of my eye. holds
sinks into tall grass
For in the meadow his tail a flag
Short-legged
Bush-tailed in a meadow
Sharp-nosed beside the freeway.
not Coyote
With lanky legs
And rat-baggy fur
POET'S CORNER
WSI would enjoy reading your poetry and short stories. Please send them to WSI, PO Box 226, Homewood, CA 96141-0226. Space permitting, perhaps our readers will share our enthusiasm.
EDUCATION'S OUR KEY TO SUCCESS
WSI gives great hands-on lectures to school and civic groups throughout the region. Often, animals don't survive the well-meaning care of so many of us who have out-dated information or just plain mythology about the
rescue and care of wildlife. Call 525-5960 to arrange a close encounter with nature.
SIERRA DISPOSAL COMPANY HELPS WSI. WILL YOU?
Our local disposal company at the landfill location between Truckee and Squaw Valley on Cabin Creek Road will donate to WSI all funds earned from recycling glass, plastic, and aluminum that are left with them in
WSI's name. All you have to do is bring it to them at the top of the hill and say it is your donation for Wildlife Shelter. Help the disposal company help us help you...RECYCLE!
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