OLD Whidbey Life Magazine

Author: Marian Blue

  • Finding Baby Animals: What to Do

    Finding Baby Animals: What to Do

    BY MARIAN BLUE
    Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
    May 31, 2017

    On Whidbey Island, wildlife abounds. Consequently, spring babies are everywhere: huddled within sword fern shadows, peering out from tree roots, crying for food in moss cradles, and even sprawled on open, chilly beaches.

    One look at these babies’ big eyes and vulnerability (which mimic that of our own infants), and our emotions get involved. Called “baby schema,” the theory attributes the fact that we’re driven to grab and protect adorable animal infants to a primal urge that motivates caretaking and ensures the survival of our own species.

    An infant flying squirrel sleeps in David Parent’s care. (Photo courtesy of Useless Bay Animal Clinic)

    Unfortunately, misguided rescues can adversely impact an adorable baby’s future. “We like that people care, and sometimes animals need to be rescued, but sometimes it’s just kidnapping,” says Shona Aitken, education coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on San Juan Island. Aitkin, like other wildlife specialists, urges people to observe, think first, and act second.

    Nonetheless, many well-intentioned rescuers flood Whidbey Island veterinarians, animal rehabilitators, and organizations when they bring in spring babies. “It’s often not obvious that the parents are around,” warns Dr. David Parent, who is licensed for short-term wildlife care at Useless Bay Animal Clinic in Freeland. Short-term local caregivers usually wind up transporting animals to facilities such as Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on San Juan Island or the PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynwood.

    So, what should you do if you’re outdoors, encounter a baby animal that appears to be alone or even abandoned, and you get overwhelmed by baby schema?

    Birds

    Barred owlets may, according to Steve Layman, be protected from predators by the unscented forest air trapped in fluffy feathers; chasing the owlet (frantic movement) could destroy that protection. (Photo courtesy of Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center)

    Prepare in advance. Access the “I Found a Baby Bird” diagram using your smartphone. Research wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, so you have correct information, not urban legend. “For instance,” says Parent, “Human scent won’t drive a parent away.” Picking up a naked (unfeathered) baby bird and putting it back in the nest is fine.

    This baby crow (indicated by blue eyes and the pink color around the bill) has feathers, even if they are scruffy, and isn’t in immediate danger. Parents will be nearby; leave this baby alone. (Photo by Marian Blue)

    Most fledgling birds need only a day or two of practice before being able to fly well. But there’s an exception. “Any meat in the nest begins to smell and attract predators,” says Steve Layman, a Whidbey falconer with multiple wildlife licenses. “So, owls need to leave long before they can fly.” Consequently, observers may see owlets in low branches or on the ground for longer periods of time. They don’t usually need to be rescued.

    Marine Mammals

    Seal pups quickly trigger the baby schema urge. Not only are they adorable, but they’re found on beaches, with little cover, where humans and their pets visit.

    Who wouldn’t want to hug this baby? Wait! This pup is healthy, well-fed, and lying in the sun to dry out. Stay at least 100 yards away! (Photo by Sandy Dubpernell and courtesy of Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network)

    According to Parent, human intervention ranges from tourists who take pups to a hotel bathtub to residents who wrap pups up for a trip to the vet.

    On its website, the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network reminds people that seals leave their pups on the beach to dry out while the parent hunts. If curious humans or dogs frighten pups back into the water, they could die of exposure. (Never pour water on a baby seal).

    The Stranding Network reminds people that federal law requires them to maintain a distance of 100 yards from marine mammals. (You can report violators to the NOAA Marine Mammal Enforcement Office at 1-800-853-1964.)

    Video courtesy of WhidbeyTV Productions

    In addition, you can call the Stranding Network, which is part of the Orca Network, to report a pup and get information. The organization can post signs and create barriers to warn people to stay away if necessary. Unless the pup is in obvious distress, such as entangled or bleeding, the best action is to stay away; the mother won’t return if people are nearby.

    Land Mammals

    Whidbey Island is home to many land mammals: raccoons, weasels, mink, beaver, otters, foxes, coyotes, rabbits, bats, squirrels, and more. Of all of these animals, the one that most often triggers the baby schema is the fawn. We may think of deer as pests in our gardens, but if we see a fawn curled up in a bush, the desire to pick it up can be overwhelming.

    Fawns are a common sight, but lone fawns usually have a parent nearby. (Photo courtesy of Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center)

    Parent warns people that deer leave their fawns, visiting them infrequently – three or four times a day to nurse, sometimes for only five minutes. “Between visits, the fawn may move around, into people’s yards or around roads. This is normal fawn behavior.” Even if the fawn is calling or seems confused, that, too, is normal. “The only way a person should assume that the mother is dead is if the fawn is seen sniffing or trying to nurse from a freshly killed doe,” Parent continues. In that case, the fawn needs help.

    If a fawn is in an unsafe location – for instance, lying on a road – pick it up and move it. Parent recommends moving it 100 to 200 feet away at least. Again, the fawn won’t be rejected because of human scent.

    Baby otters tip the cuteness scale and trigger in us what some scientists call the cuteness gene. (Photo courtesy of Useless Bay Animal Clinic)

    Whatever baby you find, the staff at Best Friend’s Veterinary Center in Oak Harbor warns people that, unless you are a trained/licensed rehabilitator or a vet certified for short-term care, it’s illegal to try to care for wildlife in your home. “You can monitor, but do so from a distance. People think a baby is abandoned, but the parents won’t approach it while people are around.” The safe distance varies, but remaining at least 100 yards away is often recommended.

    Monitoring can take a lot of patience. For instance, Layman recommends wearing a red light to monitor owls at night, which is when they most often feed their young (never use flash photography on wildlife). Some animals need to be monitored for a few days before determining that a parent isn’t around.

    After monitoring, if it’s obvious that the baby needs help, take it to the nearest rehabilitator or care facility. If in doubt, all local resources are willing to talk you through the situation.

    One other thing people can do is “Keep your cats and dogs inside or on a leash this time of year,” adds Layman.

    Finally, if you find you enjoy the wildlife on Whidbey, consider volunteering: “We couldn’t do our work here without our wonderful volunteers,” says Aitken. Perhaps you can find a new, wild niche on Whidbey.

    Local resources include:

    South Whidbey

    North Whidbey

    Best Friend’s Veterinary Center, Oak Harbor, 360-679-6796

    Off-Island

    More extensive rehabilitation, information, and resources and care are available at:

    Both welcome volunteers.

    More information

    For more information about wildlife rehabilitation in Washington, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation

    Marian Blue edits, writes, and farms on South Whidbey. Her writing and editorial work has appeared internationally since the 1970s. She recently retired from 20 years of teaching at Skagit Valley College. She has two Websites: Blue & Ude Writers Services and Sunbreak Press.

    View the other stories published this week

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  • Serving in Silence: New Edition of Local Veteran’s Book Published

    Serving in Silence: New Edition of Local Veteran’s Book Published

    BY MARIAN BLUE
    Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
    November 9, 2016

    Serving in Silence book cover
    Cover of new edition, 2016 (Photo by Firooz Zahedi/NBC)

    If you’re not sure how to commemorate Veterans Day this week, try reading a book, especially one that demonstrates that following your principles is often more productive than following your plans. One such book, originally published in 1995, has a new 2016 edition with added pictures and a new epilogue: “Serving In Silence” by Colonel Margarethe (Grethe) Cammermeyer, Ph.D., who lives in Langley.

    This new edition covers related material between the first edition and Cammermeyer’s continued activism through 2016, including details about the movie made from the book (produced by Barbara Streisand with Glenn Close playing Cammermeyer). Among other awards and nominations, the movie received three Emmys and was nominated for three more; it also received the Peabody Award.

    Streisand’s fascination with the book is based on its powerful story about human rights and personal growth. Cammermeyer—a Vietnam veteran, Bronze Star recipient, V.A. Nurse of the Year, mother of four, and the highest ranking officer to challenge anti-gay military policies—came to the United States from Norway after World War II. After having seen American soldiers liberating her country during that war, she cherished one idea: serving her new country. She wanted to prove herself.

    Margarethe Cammermeyer is sworn in as a recruit for the Women’s Army Corps, 1961 (Photo courtesy Margarethe Cammermeyer)
    Margarethe Cammermeyer is sworn in as a recruit for the Women’s Army Corps, 1961 (Photo courtesy of Margarethe Cammermeyer)

    “For me, being a soldier meant more than merely firing a gun or flying on a bombing raid,” she says. “Would I be woman enough, as the models I revered from childhood were, to do the hard job of fighting for coun­try and freedom? Would I be able to choose the greater good over personal safety? Would I stand up, regardless of the cost, for what was right?”

    The answer to her question came in many ways during her 31 years in the military. Not only did she receive awards and commendations for her outstanding service—in the U.S., in Germany, and in Vietnam—she ultimately had to make an even greater sacrifice. She chose the greater good for all service personnel, fighting for equal opportunity for all, even though it resulted in her involuntary discharge. It was a huge personal blow to her, but one that opened up a new role as an activist.

    President Obama shaking the hand of Margarethe Cammermeyer
    Margarethe Cammermeyer thanks President Barack Obama following the demise of “don’t ask, don’t tell” (Photo courtesy of Margarethe Cammermeyer)

    Cammermeyer’s ordeal began when, during a routine investigation for top-secret clearance, she revealed that she was a lesbian. Her honesty unleashed years of investigations, court hearings, a discharge, and, after finally winning in court, reinstatement in the military with full honors. She remained honest, open, and determined to fight against the anti-gay policies of the U.S. military. She was still fighting when the last two barriers fell: the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and the Defense of Marriage Act. Both found unconstitutional, their demise allowed equal rights for all veterans to serve their country and for their spouses to receive benefits.

    Following the demise of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Cammermeyer was invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to a full house at the Interior Department on Dec. 22, 2010. The final enactment of the repeal was on Sept. 22, 2011. Cammermeyer sounds reverent when she says, “Finally, the flag that we had represented in uniform represented us all.”

    Following the law making marriage available to all, Cammermeyer and her partner of 24 years, Diane Divelbess, were the first couple in line in Island County to obtain their marriage license on Dec. 6, 2012. “We were like kids waiting for tickets to a concert. We sat outside the County building on folding chairs, under blankets, until the office opened.” They were married three days later.

    Wedding day for Margarethe Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess, December 9, 2012 (Photo courtesy of Margarethe Cammermeyer)
    Wedding day for Margarethe Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess, December 9, 2012 (Photo courtesy of Margarethe Cammermeyer)

    In spite of the challenges Cammermeyer has faced, she has never lost respect for her country or the people who fight for the values it represents, especially “liberty and justice for all.” She continues to commemorate Veterans Day in a number of ways. “Over the years, I’ve attended memorial events,” she says. “Two years ago, I was recognized by the University of Washington with their Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award; I was part of the many events the University includes in appreciation to the sacrifices of service members. Another year, I was invited to give the keynote at the 20th dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Commemoration. I have been part of the Coupeville parade in the past. At heart, though, we usually celebrate it quietly watching the music and pomp and ceremony around the event at the Arlington National Cemetery.”

    Cammermeyer’s views on respecting one’s country by fighting for the freedom and equal rights for all individuals comes across clearly in her book. “I’ve learned that if I’m uncomfortable, it’s where I need to be. I will continue to speak out, and I hope you do, too.”

    Editor’s note: You can or order the book through your local bookstore by its ISBN number, which is 978-0-692-77393-2. The book is also available in print, ebook, and audio book versions at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other online dealers. The older edition is still available, so be sure to get the latest one.

    Marian Blue has spent 45 years as a journalist, creative writer, editor, and teacher of writing. Currently nestled in Whidbey Island woods, she is devoted to her family of fowl, goats, llama, dogs, parrots, and people, as well as writing.

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