The Call

MISSION STATEMENT - It is the goal of the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Nature Preservation Society (WRANPS) to provide the best and most up-to-date care possible, both medically and compassionately, to the injured and orphaned native wildlife of the State of Mississippi in order that they may be successfully released in a naturally functioning manner back into their natural habitats. This organization is based on positive philosophies regarding all men and their relations with the natural world, and in this manner strives through education to gently enlighten humanity's need to coexist peacefully and tolerantly with all creation, minimizing our individual impacts to this planet in eve!)' way possible.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND NATURE PRESERVATION SOCIETY, INC.  APRIL 2004

WRANPS Coastal Wildlife Center Has Found a New Home

After four long years of searching the gulf coast for a new location, the Coastal Wildlife Center has finally found a home. Our new WRANPS facility will be located on Highway 49 just north of 1-10 at the Lyman Fish Hatchery and the Big Biloxi River. The new state-of-the-art facility will showcase a new 40'x80' Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Clinic with adjacent shorebird, songbird and raptor aviaries, reptile, and aquatic species enclosures and other specialized rehabilitation facilities constructed to insure the successful rehabilitation and, release of our native wildlife. Also located on site will be intern housing for our university students who study at WRANPS, an Interpretive Center for education pro- grams with audio/visual rooms, an amphitheatre for The Raptor Experience, a coastal riverine interpretive trail and arboreal boardwalk which will showcase our native flora and coastal habitats, and a native wildlife trail with habitat enclosures to showcase some of our native species and educational animals, while discussing their habitat needs and what has happened to them.
At present, WRANPS is looking for local contractors and businesses who can help facilitate our move. Of most critical need is road preparation that would require a road bed in order to place a lime- stone surface. After that, we need a plumber, electrician and general contractor to help us in our slab preparation for a 40' x 80' Steel masters Building which is awaiting delivery. We are also looking for some- one to drill our well and help us with installation of our wastewater treatment system. After these matters are taken care of we can start moving our facility. Time is of the essence now as USM will require our departure by December of this year.

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     WRANPS would like to thank the following for making this undertaking a reality so far: The Commissioners of the Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks: Chairman Reggie Barnes, Roy Noble Lee, Jr., Vice Chairman, Bill Deviney, Randy Mize, and Webb Lee (who offered much praise for WRANPS), Executive Director Dr. Sam Polles, Chief of Fisheries Ron Garavelli, Doug Mann, Esq., Hatchery Manager Ava Coleman, Leeds Certified Architect Allison Anderson for our beautiful and environmentally sensitive site plan, Bill Mitchell of Brown and Mitchell who has provided the engineering and his company resources for this project, Sister Mqrtha Milner and the Sisters of Mercy for generously donating our brand new steel clinic building, Jeff Taylor of The District for doing a lot of footwork, Smoky Johnson of the Harrison County Zoning Office for providing mapping and charts and Board Member Jayne Buttross for providing her time in helping develop our legal documents.
To those of you who can help us fulfill our needs listed above, please call or leave a message at the WRANPS Wildlife Center at 228-452-9453 if you can possibly donate your resources to help with our road and initial groundwork. Remember that WRANPS is a 501 c3 Corporation and your work will be eligible for a tax write-off. Also, we are needing benefactors who can provide funding to help us fulfill our needs if we cannot find contractors who will donate their time. All of you are vital to make this beautiful facility a reality this year so we are asking that everyone take part.

12TH ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY RUN FOR WRANPS

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WRANPS NAMED MWF AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

     The Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Jackson, Mississippi was the site of much pride as WRANPS was named Mississippi Wildlife Federation's AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR. This award was generously sponsored by Mississippi Power Company. who also provided 'a $250 grant. The February 28th event served as the MWF's annual banquet honoring the Conservation Achievement Award winners chosen among nominees from the entire state. WRANPS was recognized for their dedication to habitat preservation and education about our native wildlife. Beside caring for almost 2000 wild animals last year, WRANPS provided education programs for school children, civic clubs, scout troops, sheriff's camps, boys and girls clubs, and television viewers reaching over 30,0'00 people with their live permitted educational wild animals. Each year WRANPS participates in Gulf Islands National Seashore's and Keesler's AFB Earth Day Events as well as others. WRANPS further answers between 30 to 40 phone calls per day from concerned citizens.
     WRANPS members attending the event were President/Chairman Dianne Hunt, Vice President Lance White, Board Secretary Jennifer Hamill, Board Member and Legal Advisor Jayne Buttross, and Robbie Fisher, who also serves as the President of Mississippi's Nature Conservancy.
     The Mississippi Wildlife Federation, of which WRANPS serves as an affiliate, is the state's largest private conservation organization and is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. As such they "seek to con- serve and defend the natural resources of our state and country: its wildlife, forest, soil, air and water". To learn about the MWF's many programs and activities or become a member of this non-profit federation of individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to natural resource conservation, environmental quality, and out- door recreation in Mississippi go to www.mswildlife.org.

FROM THE DIRECTOR... 
one of the many creatures we saved

     Just before Christmas 2003, the staff at Marine Life in Gulfport called about a Juvenile Brown Pelican that they brought to WRANPS. The weak and sickly bird's pouch had multiple lacerations, with some tears large enough to fit a man's fist through. After multiple surgeries done by two gulf coast veterinarians, Bienville 'Animal Hospital in Ocean Springs and Saucier Animal Hospital, (who both volunteered their time and expertise), the pelican soon healed wonderful- ly. After he has finished his physical therapy and acclimatized to the weather outside he was eager to join his brethren flying free along our shores. He was released on February 29, 2004 into a flock and was last seen happily diving into the water.

and about Spring Baby Season
   We humans are not the only ones to enjoy the warmer weather, flowers and budding trees. The Wildlife Center has noticed a large influx of patients over the past few days. Migratory birds are starting to pass through, breeding territories are being established, and even some little ones are making their ways to our doors. During this spring WRANPS asks that you keep a few things in mind while watching life blossom around you.
   Wild animal parents do NOT reject their young because of your scent, there- fore it is possible to reunite that helpless bird with its original, and most qualified, caretaker. For most birds both parents help rear the young so even if you think that one has been killed the other is there watching a predator (you) steal its babies. Please call the wildlife center for advice before doing anything to the young. 
   Keep house cats inside, cat saliva harbors many bacteria that with even a small puncture can kill. No matter how long we have been domesticating cats their exceptional hunting abilities are instinctive, think about kittens stalking and pouncing on a ball of string.
   WRANPS Wildlife Clinic NEEDS volunteers to help feed and clean the babies at the center. If you have a couple of hours a week to help out during the busy season you will never forget it. The joys of seeing helpless young come though our doors and then later scamper up a tree at release, or the chance to be face to face with a bird that normally would be but a speck in the sky are indescribable.
   And last but not least, sit back and enjoy the diversity of life found around you

Julie Liberante

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G.E. PLASTICS ASSISTS IN DEER RELEASE

     This past March, WRANPS was fortunate that G.E. Plastics helped provide staff and land for the release of a tamed juvenile deer. "Dasher" and "Ditto" were hand-raised, and as frequently happens, became attached to their care provider as well as other humans who lived in the "neighborhood". As time went on the deer, that were free to come and go, started frequenting neighbors' yards often browsing on pansies and other delicacies.
     Ideally, deer fawns should have little or no contact with their care provider, but as time went on and an ideal release site could not be found, the fawns start- ed getting into all sorts of trouble. "Ditto" went through a series of problems including having her tail stripped to the bone by a neighborhood dog, the skin on her jaw sliced by a barbed wire fence, and finally, sadly was hit by a speeding vehicle.
     In the meantime, WRANPS scouted several locations, and finally G.E. Plastics offered a release site. The site was perfect as it encompassed thousands of acres in the fenced Port Bienville Industrial Park in lower Hancock County where hunting was not allowed and casual contact by humans would be unlikely. After light sedation performed by Dr. Jeff Peterman, "Dasher" was enclosed in a special carrier and whisked off to his new home. .
     WRANPS' new facility will provide a deer enclosure where orphaned fawns can be raised with a "pseudo-deer mother", and will not realize that their feeding and care is provided by humans. The new enclosure will follow standards set by the NWRA and IWRA to keep deer fawns wild; Each year baby fawns are mistakenly picked up by the public who believe that the young fawns have been abandoned by their mother. In reality, a deer mother or "doe" leaves her fawn who lies quietly in one spot, while mom goes off to forage. Deer fawns have little or no scent, and by lying quietly, are protected from predators that may follow after mom as she forages away from her off- spring. Tame deer may often become dangerous and a human may be gored or kicked severely by a baby fawn that seemed so cute in the beginning. If you find any baby animal in the wild, first. call WRANPS before "rescuing". Often a wild baby is not orphaned and should be left to be raised by the one most likely to help it survive in the wild...its own mother.
Many thanks go out to the management of G.E. Plastics, employees Clark Breland and Eric Rester, Port Bienville Director Hal Walters and WRANPS volunteers Mary Jane Hall and Shane Yarbrough.

INTERN'S CORNER

     My name is Josh Felker, I am from Tennessee where I attend Middle TN. State University (MTSU). I will be graduating from college when I complete my internship. I have worked for a Vet for the last 3 years as a tech/assistant. I truly feel that my calling in life is to work with animals either wild or domesticated. In my jobs I like to do things that I can make a difference in, and I know I am making a difference here. I am not the kind of person that can be restricted to an office. My Dad has been my biggest influence on me for this type career. He has had me in the woods since I was a baby teaching me about nature. I wanted to thank Chevron for funding this intern program, and WRANPS for the opportunity to learn so much. But I especially want to thank God for getting me this far.

Click here for information on the intern program.

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IN MEMORIAM

     Life is fleeting. We share much with our fellow travelers who journey with us through the short period of time we have on our' beautiful planet earth. Humans and animals alike share the joys of eating, sleeping, making love, reveling in the sun- shine of a spring day, caring for their young and enjoying the health of youth and freedom. We also share a special sad- ness and emptiness when those we love are gone from our lives.
Within this newsletter, we strive once again to visit the memories of those who have touched our lives in such meaningful ways. We are all God's special creatures, placed here on earth for reasons we will never totally fathom, but it is certain that all of us experience, at one time or another, the special connections and gifts that are transferred to us by those who have gone before us.

Toby A. Stifler, Age 59, born January 5, 1945, Freeport, NY. Departed our lives on February 28, 2004, Pass Christian, Mississippi. Toby was one of WRANPS' treasured volunteers. Spending many hours helping at the Wildlife Center, Toby organized our Interns' notebooks, helped make numerous copies, created a visitor-friendly front entrance to our Clinic with a bulletin board and a beautiful wildlife collage high- lighting many of our patients and volunteers, answered the constantly ringing telephone, and overall sorted and made our small and often cluttered office cubicle a more pleasing place to work. Toby had many other talents, as well. She was an accomplished artist in many mediums including sketching, painting, pottery, stained glass, needle point, mosaics and her favorite, fused glass, having pursued this interest with her husband Tom on the Kona Coast of Hawaii. Another of Toby's loves was gourmet cooking, believing that the way you treat your body is a reflection of you and your quality of life. According to her daughter Tina, one of Toby's strongest loves was for animals saying that they were "very sacred and special". Tina continued by saying "My mother was a very happy and kind individual, always with the glass half full rather than empty". One of our rehabilitated wild hawks will be released in Toby's honor at her home on the Wolf River.

The following have also been honored through donations to WRANPS in their friend's and loved one's name: 

In memory of 

Donations to WRANPS from Donn and Kelli Mitchell and Bill Biossat. (Acknowledgment sent to Jani Taylor)

In memory of

by the 1939 Senior Class of Port Neches High School (Texas)
Donations to WRANPS through Homer Walles. (Acknowledgment sent to Pat Colvin)

The following is reprinted from Riemann Funeral Homes and we at WRANPS hope it will provide comfort to all of you who have lost loved ones. .

I'm Free 

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free; I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call; I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. 

If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow; I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me; God wanted me now, He set me free.

Donations to WRANPS can be made in a loved one's name and will include the release of wild animals in their name.

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(TEAR OUT)
MARK Your CALENDARS AND PLEASE  MAKE PLANS to ATTEND Wildlife Rehabilitation And Nature Preservation Society, Inc. 'Please Join Us To Celebrate Nature's Spring Arrivals
on May 22nd, 2004
at our
Fais Do Do
Bayou Bluff Tennis Club
11553 West Taylor Road, Gulfport
7:00 till 11:00
Casual Cocktail attire
Inquires 228-547-9717

WRANPS will be celebrating the arrival of spring, the babies that come with it and the announcement of our new home with a. party at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club. A casual affair of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and Cajun music will make the evening of May 22nd a fun night for all.

This will kick off what we hope will be an annual biyearly fund raising event that will benefit our new home and bring aware- ness to the residents of the Gulf Coast that might not be familiar with our purpose and its importance.

Tickets for the event will start at $50.00 per person and $90.00 a couple for advance purchase. Should you have any questions please call Pamela Stennis (228) 547-9717 and leave a detailed message. Your call will be returned that evening after 7:00 p.m. or the following day.

We are very excited about our new home and starting a new tradition to help continue and expand the work and goals that WRANPS strives for.

Original, one of a kind Celebrity Critter Doodles by Hollywood Celebrities and Famous Musicians will be sold at Silent Auction

Entertainment will be Tommy Jo Breaux and Alan Fonteno's Country Cajun Band

PROPOSED MENU

  Please check with us for availability 228-547-9717

* Patrons will be listed on our next fundraiser invitation for the winter party 04-05 and receive an invitation to our complementary Patrons Cocktail Party that will precede the event.

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PARROT HEADS DO IT AGAIN!

Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club 
President David Barnes and
Treasurer Mike Ducote present WRANPS 
President Dianne Hunt a check for $1020 
at their December 2003 monthly meeting. 
Proceeds were donated through the
Annual Volleyball Tournament 
held each year on September 27 to Benefit WRANPS.

EDUCATION NOTES:

WRANPS has been busy this year attending events (during which we hand-out information about helping our wildlife) as well as giving educational programs to local schools and civic clubs utilizing our permitted education- al animals Cheyenne and PePe. April has been particularly busy with Earth Day Events. So far this year WRANPS has given 18 program reaching approximately 4,000* students and adults. WRANPS has a new educational animal TOBY, a box turtle who was injured by a lawn mower and has limited use of his hind legs.

* - WRANPS reached an additional 5,000 viewers during a segment on the ETV Television Series Mississippi Roads.

WRANPS Web Site is
WWW.WRANPS.ORG
Please check it out!

SPOTLIGHT ON WRANPS
We thank...

The Jeff Davis Job Corps of Gulfport who who came to the Wildlife Center for a massive clean-up and some maintenance projects that were beginning to pile up.

We would like to thank Marion Langdon for her many hours and miles transporting wildlife and picking up produce from Choice Market. Her continued support for our wildlife makes a difference.

Joan Webb continues to contribute her time doing homecare and support for our educational programs.

Welcome to Mary Jane Hall our new administrative assistant. In addition to her duties as administrative assistant, Mary Jane also does homecare, transport and educational programs.

Welcome to Pam our new animal care assistant.

Thanks to associated Signs and Graphics for our new clinic sign.

Please see our next newsletter for more thanks to those who help and support us.

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