If you’re an animal lover, then you know how gut wrenching it can be to see an animal in pain, or suffering. In this modern world, animals have it rough. As their natural habitats continue to be depleted, they are met with more and more dangerous obstacles, from fences to cars to hunters. Thankfully, there is one local organization that sets out to help animals that are injured, orphaned, and distressed. Hawk Creek Wildlife Center rescues wildlife with the intention of getting the critters back out into the wild, where they belong. Some of the animals end up staying at the rehabilitation center for a short period of time, while others might spend the rest of their lives at the sanctuary.
In order to take care of all of the animals that end up at Hawk Creek, the center reaches out to the community for help. Every once in a while, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Course is offered, which is considered an intensive eight hour learning experience designed to get people up to speed with the needs of the animals. The next course offered is the fall session, set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11, from 12pm to 4pm. The course will teach people how to lend a helping hand and provide proper emergency stabilizing for the animals that come into the center.
The course is open to adults, age sixteen or older, who are preparing to take the NYSDEC wildlife rehabilitation exam or are just interested in expanding their knowledge. Through the course, participants will:
- Acquire skills in local wildlife species identification, natural history, nutrition, and animal behavior
- Build a strong foundation of general procedures for stress reducing, capture, and release techniques
- Make a difference to help restore wildlife’s ability to be self sufficient in the wild
- Stay on top of current developments in the field to ensure the humane treatment of wildlife
- Develop a sense of appreciation for the importance of preserving our native wildlife
- Get a rare inside look at the heart and soul of Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
Pre-registration is required. The eight hour course is $100 per person – Hawk Creek gets no state or federal funding. The course is held at the new facility at 1963 Mill Road, West Falls, NY 14170. To register, please click HERE or contact Hawk Creek at (716) 652-8646. This special course is taught by licensed wildlife rehabilitators sharing over 30 years of real-life experience, up-to-date technical information, incredible stories, and invaluable wisdom.
If you don’t have the time to help rehabilitate the animals, but you still want to help, then consider adopting a Hawk Creek animal.