CWC | California Wildlife Center

A Marine Rescue of a Different Color

September 6, 2016/1 Comment/in CWC, Marine mammals

by Jeff Hall, Marine Program Manager

I’ve rescued hundreds….maybe even thousands of animals in my career. From mountain lions and black bears to seals and dolphins, I’ve seen my fair share of different species and had a hand in their rescue. Never in my career have I rescued a Green Sea Turtle, that is until earlier this month!

A man was fishing off a small rocky cliff at Topanga Beach in Malibu when he caught something on his line he wasn’t expecting. Green sea turtles are normally warm-water-loving animals more comfortable in the oceans around Hawaii, or Central and South America. California does have a healthy population of sea turtles, but we usually see Olive-Ridleys in these waters.

The green sea turtle was hooked by the fisherman’s pole and reeled into shore where the line broke and the turtle became wedged into some rocks. As waves crashed around us, the rescue team from the California Wildlife Center and I hoisted the 28-pound turtle to our transport van and quickly took it to the Aquarium of the Pacific. There, the hook was soon removed and the turtle was placed in a rehabilitation tank for recovery. It should be released within a month.

Welcome New Staff

July 5, 2016/in CWC

Volunteer and Outreach Manager

By Volunteer and Outreach Manager, Trish Jackman

I have really been enjoying the opportunity to get to know everyone and rediscover the city as the new Volunteer and Outreach Manager. I have worked professionally in the animal field for over 20 years out of the area and moved back to help family. Prior to my move back home, I held the position of Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation for a center in San Diego where I oversaw the overall operation as well as a large cadre of home care and care center volunteers who along with a small staff cared for approximately 10,000 wildlife patients each year. Prior to my time at the San Diego wildlife center, I worked as a senior keeper for the San Diego Zoo, as a wildlife trainer for the Living Desert and as the Assistant Curator for Wildlife Safari in Oregon where I gained a raptor background as a back-up technician for their raptor rehab program. In addition to my wildlife work, I was part of a Hurricane Katrina task force with San Diego Humane to help oversee operations at a rescue site in Louisiana, have presented at wildlife conferences, published a case study on an emerging disease in Cliff Swallows, and represented organizations as their media spokesperson including a recent documentary on wildlife rehab for KPBS. Throughout my career, one of the most consistent personal rewards has been the opportunity to work side by side with volunteers. The volunteers at CWC demonstrate the true meaning of compassion and dedication every day and I feel fortunate to be able to witness it and be a small part of it.

Administrative and Database Assistant

By Administrative and Database Assistant, Anna Noble

I have always hoped to work for an animal welfare organization, and I could not be happier to be working at CWC. Throughout my life, I’ve been rescuing as many cats, dogs, birds, and rabbits as my circumstances would allow. And I have always been deeply troubled by the immense suffering that is endured by wildlife, ocean life, and animals that are bred for food. Equally troubling is the indifference to this suffering by most of society. After coming across some YouTube videos about CWC, I was extremely moved by what I watched. It was so wonderful to see all the birds, squirrels, possums, ducks, and more being treated with the loving care and attention that is generally only afforded to domestic animals.

Most of my previous experience has been in administrative roles on television productions. When I learned of the opening for an administrative assistant, I knew I had to apply. I was so happy to get the call that I would have the opportunity to work at this wonderful place! I have never so looked forward to the first day of a job.

The best I can describe my experience of the first few weeks of this job is that I have never before witnessed so many kind and generous souls converged in one place. It is truly a privilege to join this amazing group of people, and to have a role in giving wildlife a second chance.

Wild and Wonderful

July 5, 2016/in CWC, Events

By Development Coordinator, Heather Patrice Brown

Join California Wildlife Center for something Wild and Wonderful! The 18th annual Wild Brunch will be held on September 25, 2016 at Gull’s Way, Malibu.

Show your support for California Wildlife Center and its Wild and Wonderful animal patients. Each year, CWC cares for over 4,300 wild animals native to California from Los Angeles and Southern Ventura Counties. When you purchase a ticket to The Wild Brunch, you are helping ensure the continuation of CWC’s state-of-the-art medical care and rescue services, as well as rehabilitation and release to the wild for these animals.

This year’s event will include “Tastes of the Wild” vegetarian cuisine from top-rated chefs and restaurateurs; Wine-tasting courtesy of Malibu and Napa Valley vintners; Live and Silent Auctions; Festive libations; Complimentary Psychic and Healing Sessions; Live music; Children’s fun area and buffet; Wildlife Release.

To purchase your ticket to The Wild Brunch or to learn more about the event, CLICK HERE.

2016 Year To Date Numbers

July 5, 2016/in CWC

By Executive Director, Jennifer Brent

Mallard ducklings are one of the most common species of animal CWC rehabilitates each year. Photo by Jeff Hall

It’s been business as usual at CWC this season, with injured and baby animals arriving daily. So far, we are receiving approximately the same number of animals this year as last—1833 as of this writing. In 2015 we took in approximately 4300 animals in total and are trending to do the same this year.

While we have a huge diversity of species that we accept and care for, there are a few species that make up the majority of our animals: squirrels, opossums, crows and ravens and ducklings.

From January 1st to May 31st we received:

196 Fox Squirrels
129 Virginia Opossums
203 Mallards
138 American Crows and Common Ravens

From the first days of spring through to the beginning of fall, we see the vast majority of our animals during the warmest months. To help handle this influx of animals, we bring in seasonal staff, interns, externs and extra volunteers to assist the year-round staff of eleven to help intake, assess, treat, feed, clean and care for these animals. We have people on hand to receive animals from 8am to 4:30pm every day of the week, including holidays and weekends.