The Key West Wildlife Center sits smack center in the middle of the 8 acre Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park. The mission of the center is to rescue, rehabilitate and release as many wild birds as possible. Some sick and injured birds recover enough to survive but can never be released and many of them make their permanent home here.
Ozzie the Osprey has a harrowing tale to tell.
All comers are welcome. I was happy to see a baby pigeon receiving the same quality of care as is afforded to the pelicans. I once rescued a pigeon from a warehouse area when I was 12 years old. His name was Igor ( he walked with a limp because of a broken wing). My dad made a splint for him and miraculously the bird recovered. He was gorgeous with breast feathers the color of an iridescent black pearl and intelligent blinking eyes. To this day I have a special fondness for pigeons. In fact one figures prominently in a spiritual awakening but that’s a story for another post.
Michelle Anderson, BA, CVT is the Director of the center. She is a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and very forthcoming about the plight of the beautiful birds the center helps. Click on the baby chick to go to the Key West Wildlife Center website.
She encourages the public to enjoy the fresh water pond, feed the turtles. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy peace and quiet in nature the way it was a long time before tourists arrived. Public rest rooms provided.
Migratory bird sightings are common as are egrets, herons, sandpipers and of course, chickens.
Shhh . . . I think I see a American egret. Could I be that lucky?!
No one will be surprised that many chickens sustain car and other injuries in Key West but I was astounded that this center operates with only two full- time staff members and a handful of volunteers. This small but enthusiastic group manages to care for these birds and arrange for them to be sent to a farm animal sanctuary in Eustis Florida to live out the fullness of their lives. These are the lucky ones.
Baby chicks with a feather duster surrogate mom.
Key West Wildlife Center rehabilitates and relocates over 1000 chickens a year. Most are considered ‘nuisance chickens’. If you are plagued by unwanted chickens you can call the center at 305 292-1008 and for a refundable deposit they will lend you a Havaheart trap to capture the bird and bring it to the sanctuary. Although there is no charge for this service, work at the center begins when the birds arrive and caring for the birds is costly. Today I saw groups of people touring the site. Hopefully they will realize that although admission is free, work, supplies and veterinary care are expensive.
Many birds are permanently disabled and will remain at the center for life. The aviary is roomy and has some favorite bird treats but this center is desperate for more help.
Many people think they are doing pelicans a favor by tossing them a fish carcass and a starving pelican will eat what he would never be able to take in were it alive. The sad result is often death. This is a bone that pierced the spine of the pelican who ate it. Other common injuries are fish hooks caught in their beaks.
Pelicans are voracious eaters. When they arrive they are often starving and so will eat 3-4 pounds of fish a day! According to Michelle, the fish bill runs between $400-$500 a week. So if any fishermen out there are reading this, you can drop off pilchers, legal size snappers, grunts, blue runners and jackfish. They will be happy to take them.
Turkey Vulture love – these two are happy together.
Their romantic story (it is Valentine’s Day) is available at the center.
Share the love all February long by sending a donation to the center and a valentine to your favorite feathered friend. The Key West Wildlife Center’s mailing address is PO box 2297, Key West, Florida 33045.
Key West Wildlife Center * 801 White Street * (305) 292-1008 * Open daily 9am-5pm* http://www.keywestwildlifecenter.org