Edhat Staff
Our Non-Profit of the Week is the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network who takes in a variety of animals and nurses them back to health.
Just recently, a baby bobcat was rescued from Sycamore Canyon. Rescuers monitored the baby and for eight hours the mother did not return. They decided to intervene as the less than 1 lb. kitten could have died in the wilderness.
Staff report Baxter bobkitten is getting bigger, stronger, and hungrier. He drinks 6 bottles of special formula per day with each bag costing roughly $70.
Several weeks ago a baby badger was found by a security Fish and Wildlife warden on Vandenberg Air Force Base. According to rescuers, there is a large population of the meat-eating mammals near the base in a remote area. This little guy was found near his mother who died after being hit by a car. He weighed just under 2 lbs and may not be able to be released into the wild.
Although after some tender love and care at the wildlife care facility, he’s now up to 4 lbs. Rescuers remind locals it’s illegal to keep badgers as pets as they’re not friendly and hunt other small mammals and rodents.
The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, or oil-impaired wild birds and small mammals native to Santa Barbara County and to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife.
They exist to support the present and future health of wildlife species and communities by:
- Providing quality rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release services to injured, sick, oiled, orphaned and displaced wildlife.
- Educating the public about the needs of at-risk wildlife, the challenges faced by wildlife in the region, and effective ways to help ensure the health and survival of wild animals.
- Gathering and sharing information on wildlife treatments, rehabilitation and release criteria and techniques, behavior, optimal management methods and care facilities with other wildlife care providers, researchers, and agencies while promoting efficient use of community wildlife support resources by cooperating with other organizations and individuals in order to fulfill our mission.
A wish list is available to help support specific animals. Donations are accepted online as well. Learn more at www.sbwcn.org
Cute little booger snot….
Great organization! If the badger won’t be released, what will happen to it, become a prisoner at the zoo? Doesn’t California law require release of rehabbed healthy animals within a mile or so of where it was found?
With the re-commencement of the practice of Prescribed Burns, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network will have much more work ahead.