Outstanding Outreaches

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By: Jasmine Regaldo, Volunteer Coordinator

This season California Wildlife Center participated in 14 outreach events! These were a combination of educational presentations for schools and clubs, partnering with other non-profits, and hosting educational and interactive booths at events open to the public. As CWC is not open to the public or able to provide tours to school groups or camps, one of the most effective ways that we can increase exposure for the organization is to be present in the communities that we serve.

These in-person educational booths have fun animal related activities for children but also real feathers from previous patients, skull replicas of marine mammals, and cast moldings of the footprints of terrestrial mammals. For many folks, this is their first time seeing any of these items and being able to physically touch or hold them. For children and adults alike, the excitement and awe are unparalleled when they feel the softness of a Great Horned Owl Feather, see the vibrant rust color of the Red-Tailed Hawk tail feathers, compare their hands to the paw prints of a coyote or skunk, or hold a replica skull of an adult California Sea Lion or Bottlenose Dolphin for the first time. The more exposure and education the public has to these magnificent native species, the more likely they are to care about their wellbeing in the future and become their advocate.

In 2023 alone CWC has participated in events in in Agoura Hills, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Macarthur Park, Calabasas, Lake Balboa, Sherman Oaks, Glendora, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Watts, and Burbank. This is only a fraction of the myriad of communities and smaller neighborhoods that comprise L.A. County, but these are 11 more cities with people who may not have known about CWC prior to the event they attended. The people we contacted are now equipped with more knowledge on California native animal species and can share that information and knowledge with others in the community. In total our outreach education and activities reached 1400 people.

We look forward to being able to reach even more members of the community in 2024!

Staff & Volunteers at Outreach event

 

Outreach Setup

 

Volunteer Coordinator, Jasmine at Outreach event

 

When to Leaf Trees Alone

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By Jenn Guess, Hospital Manager

Hatchling Acorn Woodpeckers admitted to CWC after branch was trimmed from tree

Trees are essential to our environment in many ways.  They absorb and store carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gases, and are a primary source of oxygen production.  Roots help bind the soil preventing erosion, and some varieties of trees even improve soil by making it more fertile for plant growth.  One of the most important aspects of trees is their role in supporting wildlife by providing habitat, food, shelter, and nesting sites for a wide variety of species.  For example, Acorn Woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities in trees to raise their young and reuse these nest holes for many years.  Western Gray Squirrels build compact ball-shaped nests on sturdy branches high in the trees, typically in the canopy.  Hummingbirds are known for their tiny and intricate nests made from plant material and spider webs. These golf ball sized creations can be found in well-concealed spots in trees and shrubs.

At CWC we recommend planting native plants to help support wildlife in your neighborhood.  In the wild, vegetation is only limited by resources and each species’ genetics.  When trees grow near human development, trimming and maintenance is often needed to keep plants healthy and man made structures safe.

Tree trimming serves several vital purposes, making it an essential aspect of tree care.  It removes excessive dead branches, allowing the tree to allocate nutrients towards growth.  Trimming also removes diseased limbs, which prevents the spread of infection and promotes overall tree health.  Overgrown branches can also pose a significant risk to people and property, but regular trimming ensures that branches do not grow too close to buildings, power lines, or roadways.

Tree squirrel nest in tree

Selecting the appropriate time of year to trim trees is critical for protecting native wildlife.  Here at CWC we often see the detrimental aftermath of tree trimming gone wrong.  Each spring, summer, and fall we admit hundreds of orphaned animals due to people cutting down and/or destroying nests.  Tree trimmers can also permanently scare away bird parents if they disturb or linger around a nest for too long.  December is the ideal month to trim because many tree species are dormant, they lack leaves allowing for a clearer view of the tree’s structure, and it is the time of year in which it is least likely to disturb an active nest.  Most birds tend to nest between February and August, although some species like hummingbirds, doves, and pigeons have been known to nest year-round in Southern California.  Tree squirrels can mate twice a year and usually have active nests between January through April and July through October.  Historically these time frames were more consistent but shifts in climate conditions have made these nesting periods slightly unpredictable.

Before starting a tree trimming project, it is always advisable to consult a local wildlife expert, arborist, and/or conservation organization to understand the specific needs of the wildlife in the area.  Prior to trimming, inspect the tree carefully for active nests.  Young animals will often become quiet and stay still if they feel threatened, so using binoculars to examine each branch for movement or activity can be helpful.  Look on the ground below the tree for a collection of fresh bird droppings.  This can signal that a nest above might be inhabited.  If possible, trim branches by hand so it is easier to see up close what is being removed.  Only trim branches that are necessary for safety and tree health and leave as much natural habitat as possible, including cavities and foliage.  Dead branches also provide important habitats for a number of insect and bird species.  Consider leaving some deadwood on trees if it does not pose a safety risk.

Through responsible tree trimming, it is possible to safely enjoy healthy plants while simultaneously protecting the habitats that so many wild animals need in order to thrive in the wild.

Anna’s Hummingbird nest in a tree

Volunteers are Vital!

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By Jasmine Regalado, Volunteer Coordinator

With a small staff and 4,300 patients admitted each year, it quickly becomes obvious how important volunteers are to California Wildlife Center (CWC). Volunteers may be the first point of contact for members of the public, rescuers on the beaches of Malibu, line cooks preparing a multitude of diets, or nurses helping to medicate patients. CWC volunteers are a group of passionate and extremely generous folks who make our facility run on all cylinders.

Our volunteers commit to a shift of four hours per week, on the same day and time every week, for a minimum of six months. This allows for consistency with their assigned team and ensures there is always coverage to care for our patients. We are incredibly lucky to have such committed folks—some of whom have been with us for over 10 years! There are a multitude of reasons why our volunteers choose CWC to donate their time to, but every single one of them is passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.

Each animal that arrives at CWC is received by a volunteer, examined by our hospital staff then cared for by staff and volunteers until they are ready for release. This can take anywhere from just a couple of weeks if the patient is an adult bird with minor injuries, to several months if they are an orphan or juvenile. Regardless of the time any animal spends at CWC, their well-being is of the utmost importance to us. Every patient receives the highest standard of rehabilitative care. Most of the patients require handfeeding and each will spend some time inside, which means that their enclosures must be changed out daily (at a minimum), and once outside volunteers assist with setting up enclosures to represent the outside world and to care for the patients as they prepare for release. For the 150+ species of animal, each needs a different diet based on their species and age—and those diets are meticulously created by our volunteers! Last year, our volunteers donated over 28,000 hours—incredible work by a group of 240 people.

Simply put, we would not be able to operate without the help of the extremely generous volunteers that donate their time, expertise, and passion for wildlife. We recognize and appreciate our volunteers and are incredibly lucky to have them work beside us. human caused, so it’s only fair that there exists some human interference to try and repair some of the damage.

Vet Volunteer Griselda assisting Dr. Purdin with hawk examination


Intern Austin prepares medication for patients

Volunteer Susan assisting with administrative work


Interns Natalie & Harleen preparing hawks for transfer

Let’s Take This Show on the Road!

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All of us here at California Wildlife Center are constantly advocating for native wildlife. Whether it’s on the phone with one of the tens of thousands of calls we receive each year or answering questions from our friends and families about their wildlife encounters, we do our best to support animals through education. One person at a time, we explain why that fledgling bird is okay to leave alone or why those raccoons are hanging out in your yard.

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The Secretive Pacific Harbor Seal

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Harbor seals are found in nearly every ocean across the globe. There are even two local sites in Malibu that support year-round populations, and yet our Marine Mammal Rescue Team receives only one or two reports per year about a harbor seal in distress. How can this be? Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are very shy and go to great lengths to keep their distance from humans.

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A Mouse Tale

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A Southern California Edison biologist brought a rare patient to California Wildlife Center (CWC) this March – a young native Pocket Mouse. This small mammal can be found in chaparral and grasslands from the San Francisco Bay area to Baja California. Brownish gray in color with white bellies, large ears and hind feet, the mouse has a distinctive fur-tipped tail.

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Thank you!

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By Jennifer Brent, Executive Director

As we head into winter and say good-bye to 2022, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for supporting our work. The last two years have been exceptionally difficult for us as well as for many of you. However, 2022 also brought a return to CWC of our valuable volunteers, many of whom were on hiatus during the peak of the pandemic. We have nearly 200 people who give their time to help the animals and donate over 25,000 hours annually.

And we definitely needed them! In the past 12 months we have received over 4,100 animals in peril. Whether suffering from rodenticide poisoning, trapped in a glue trap, struck by a car, flown into a window, pet caught or orphaned, we have seen a wide range of reasons for intake. It’s important to note that the vast majority of animals that we see are here as a result of humans. Birds don’t fly into trees, but they perceive glass as clear and certainly fly into windows at full force. Foxes don’t run into cars, but when roads are built where animals traditionally crossed for ages, they’re struck by tons of speeding metal.

That’s why we especially appreciate you! The enlightened supporters who recognize that these animals are worth saving! While other people see a hurt bird and say, “oh, it’s just another dove” you say “I can help that bird!” You drive from Lancaster to bring us a baby squirrel that fell from a tree or from Downey with a Band-tailed pigeon. You read our social media posts and ask us how YOU can take action and rid your neighborhood of the ominous black poison traps. You slow down to allow a skunk to cross and you use bird tape to save lives.

Thank you for every step you take to make a difference for animals.

Marine Mammal Department Enhances the Training Program for Volunteers

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By Heather Henderson, Marine Program Manager

Photo by Kristilee Kodis

CWC responds to hundreds of distressed marine mammals along the Malibu coastline each year, performing rescues when appropriate. The strength and backbone of the program stems from our team of devoted volunteers. Without their countless hours of demanding work, our ability to efficiently investigate reports and care for in-house patients would be hindered. Thus, the higher the skillset of team volunteers, the greater the number of distressed animals that can be offered assistance. Additionally, the experience becomes more rewarding for the individual.

Early fall 2021, we were ecstatic to rollout our new training program for marine mammal volunteers! Historically there was a protocol manual to read and opportunistic observation of skills. Now, for a dozen of the more complex topics, we are implementing interactive training sessions followed by videos for review of each topic to help maintain skills during the slower “off-season”. The first topic covered was RESCUE. This three-hour on-site session included a group presentation followed by skills practice on location. Running drills at the beach while using the same equipment implemented during live animal calls enabled the re-creation of real-life scenarios.

One of the most important variations we practiced was how to adjust a response technique for different species. There are five species of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) in SoCal. Most years we see three or four of them, however in 2021 our team responded to all five pinniped species, which only happened one other time in our 23-year history. The marine mammal rescue team also responded to eighteen other species including dolphins, marine birds – shore birds and offshore pelagic birds and a sea turtle. Having the opportunity to practice these augmentations in approach is invaluable to prepare new team members for challenges to come, while refreshing skills for veterans and forging bonds between them.

With the success of our fall rollout, the marine program staff is looking forward to continuing in 2022.

Enclosure Expansion Excitement at CWC

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By Denys Hemen, Hospital Manager

Photo by Denys Hemen

Spring and summer are fast paced and exciting at CWC. Patients pour in through the doors and we never know what surprises await us each day. This time of year, all our focus is on the thousands of wild animals we receive that need our help. But as fall arrives, our patient load drops, and we can focus on other things like construction and remodeling. This year, we may have overdone it a little! My hardworking partner Brett and I have three major enclosures to construct and a kitchen/laundry room to create. Just writing about them makes me exhausted.

Our first project is a 4ft wide and 40ft long outdoor enclosure that allows our raptor patients some privacy away from humans while still recovering from what ails them. Divided into five 8ft x 4ft holding areas, this enclosure is a middle step between being in a small enclosure inside our clinic and going into a large aviary. It allows us to continue to medicate if needed but at the same time allow for fresh air, sunshine, more room to move around, and freedom from humans’ constant presence. The funding for this project was provided by Third District Supervisor, Sheila Kuehl.

Photo by Denys Hemen

Up next is an aviary complex that includes a 32ft x 8ft x 8ft songbird aviary and a 20ft x 8ft songbird aviary that can be divided into up to 5 separate enclosures. They will be bright and airy, complete with a roosting area, privacy walls, and plenty of room for perching. Most of the wood used in this project once covered the windows of Los Angeles businesses during the social justice protests of last summer. This donated wood saved us hundreds of dollars and kept good lumber out of landfills. Our smaller current songbird aviary complex will be torn down to make room for our new 20ft x20ft mammal enclosure that will house bobcats, coyotes, and foxes!

Last but not least, we will be converting an underutilized space (very rare for CWC!) inside the building into a much needed, second laundry and food prep area.

If you want to donate to support any of these projects, check out our website at www.cawildlife.org. You can also purchase construction related items by clicking the “support us” tab on the website and look for our Amazon Wishlist. Time for a nap! Take care y’all.

What Was ICU Up To In 2021?

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By Jenn Guess, Development Manager

Photo by Cambria Wells

2021 was quite a year here at California Wildlife Center (CWC). This past year we had 4,013 animals come to our facility. Our Wildlife Technicians are directly responsible for the care of our patients and every patient that came through our doors was assessed by the technicians in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Animals were carefully examined to determine the best course of action for rehabilitation. Sometimes it was as simple as providing fluids and moving the patient to our Orphan Care Unit for supportive care. For adult animals, it was often more complex.

Our ICU technicians didn’t stop after the initial intake exam. They were responsible for the daily care and rehabilitation of thousands of patients during 2021. This was a huge undertaking, especially considering that we continued to operate with minimal help due to the persistence of Covid-19. Our technicians provided extensive wound care, splinted fractures, and administered a complex array of medications to treat infections, reduce swelling, and provide pain management.

Photo by Brittany Moser

Coronavirus did not slow down the influx of new animals showing up each day. Our busiest day was May 31st, where ICU technicians received 42 new patients in one day. The second busiest day was April 26th, with 40 new patients. We always know that Spring and early Summer are the most hectic months there at CWC. From April through June we admitted 1,771 patients, 44% of all animals received for care in 2021. Overall, we saw an increase in the number of patients from 2020. We admitted over 200 more patients in 2021, compared to the previous year. Since opening our doors in 1998, the need for care has increased steadily every year except 2020 (likely due to the arrival of Covid).

Photo by Jenn Guess

Technicians saw a variety of animals this past year, with 160 different species making their way through our doors. The five most common patients that the ICU technicians examined were, in decreasing order, Eastern Fox Squirrels, Mourning Doves, House Finches, Mallards, and American Crows. Some of the more uncommon species were a Red-breasted Sapsucker, Lesser Scaup, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Pond Turtle, and an American White Pelican.

Now that it’s Winter, the ICU technicians are eagerly preparing for the next busy season. In addition to an endless list of smaller tasks, they are deep cleaning the ICU kitchen, repairing enclosures, and reorganizing supplies, all while continuing to perform daily intake exams and care for existing patients on site. It’s a job that is never done, and CWC is very fortunate to have a staff of dedicated technicians who are up for the challenge.