Feathers and Fangs
Some type of sub-title
Some type of sub-title
Among the hills of Wilmington and out of the way of busy tourists, a quaint house sits along a river. Wendy Hall, a retired massage therapist with flowing grey hair pulled back with a mosaic barrette, walks out onto the shoveled path with a tray of dead mice. She coos and calls as she walks, making heads turn and feathers ruffle. Utah, a majestic horned owl, gazes with eyes transfixed on the tray and hisses. “Don’t worry, he’s all bark and no bite,” Hall says, selecting three particularly large mice and opening the enclosure gate.
Some animals come to the center as donations. Wendy opens the gate to the fox enclosure where a small red fox
is curled up napping among snow blocks put in place by the volunteers. It opens its eyes and yawns, slowly getting
up to stretch. “He was donated to us by a game breeder,” Wendy says, scratching his chin and giving him a mouse, “it
Utah came to the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge of Wilmington shortly after being hit by a car. The refuge, run by Wendy Hall and her husband Steve Hall, was founded in 2006, when a passion for animals met with the freedom of the couples retirement.
“We decided to run a rehabilitation center when I realized my love for raptors,” Wendy recalls. “Steve had worked in public speaking for more than 25 years, so our loves just dovetailed perfectly.” Three licenses, years of training, and endless permits later, the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge is called home (or hospital) by a menagerie of feathered hawks, owls, falcons, ravens, and vultures, as well as furred bobcat, fox, and wolves.
The goal of the center, aside from rehabilitation of injured animals, is public awareness and education. Wendy
moves on to another flight enclosure, home of a small male peregrine falcon named Angel. “We try to rehabilitate with
the goal of future release,” Wendy explains as Angel hops onto her glove and starts to devour a mouse, “but if an animal
wouldn’t be able to survive, they can become education animals.” Angel came to the rescue after he was found
on the ground with a badly broken wing. “He was young and learning to hunt, and when they hunt they dive down
and can reach up to 200 miles an hour,” Wendy says. “They look strong, but they are extremely delicate.” Although not
able to be returned to the wild because of the break, he has since become an asset to the center in their educational
presentations.
moves on to another flight enclosure, home of a small male peregrine falcon named Angel. “We try to rehabilitate with
the goal of future release,” Wendy explains as Angel hops onto her glove and starts to devour a mouse, “but if an animal
wouldn’t be able to survive, they can become education animals.” Angel came to the rescue after he was found
on the ground with a badly broken wing. “He was young and learning to hunt, and when they hunt they dive down
and can reach up to 200 miles an hour,” Wendy says. “They look strong, but they are extremely delicate.” Although not
able to be returned to the wild because of the break, he has since become an asset to the center in their educational
presentations.
Some animals come to the center as donations. Wendy opens the gate to the fox enclosure where a small red fox
is curled up napping among snow blocks put in place by the volunteers. It opens its eyes and yawns, slowly getting
up to stretch. “He was donated to us by a game breeder,” Wendy says, scratching his chin and giving him a mouse, “it
was either here or be a coat, so we took him.” The Wildlife Refuge Center gladly took him in. Before him, the center...
was home to a beautiful red fox named Big Mama. After being struck by a car while pregnant, she was found and gave birth to her pups with a local rehabber in New Hampshire. After the pups were born, she came to the center and became famous for her beauty and calm loving nature, drawing people from different states to come and see her. However, her life at the shelter was cut short.
“We had a college-age kid who volunteered here,” Wendy recalls, “although we told him not to, and signs told him not to, he stuck his finger in Mamas cage, and she nipped him.” By law, any exchange of body fluids from a fox requires that it be put down to be tested for rabies, regardless of the reason for the bite or any obvious signs of rabies. Because saliva
was transferred, Big Mama was put down, even though the bite didn’t break the skin and she had been given
a rabies vaccination when she was rescued.
Not surprisingly, she tested negative for rabies. “I was so angry,” Wendy said, “We put those signs up to protect the animals, not the people.” Some scientists consider our current time as the “sixth great extinction”, with a 1995 United Nations report stating that roughly 500 animal and 650 plant species were known to have vanished in the past four centuries. In the 1990s, Norman Myers, author The Sinking Ark, estimated that the current rate of extinction
was roughly at 600 species of plants, insects, and animals a week. Unlike other extinction events, which were caused by volcanoes, periods of cold, or meteors, human activity is widely accepted as the cause of modern day extinctions. While light, water, and air pollution play a significant role on the ecosystem, loss of habitat is attributed to be the most
devastating factor. “It’s noticeable,” Wendy says, “Most of our calls come from developed areas where people have moved into the natural habitat and the animals have nowhere else to go.” Animals will wander into populated areas in search of food, and are often times hit by cars or tractors, shot, or caught in old traps.
“We had a college-age kid who volunteered here,” Wendy recalls, “although we told him not to, and signs told him not to, he stuck his finger in Mamas cage, and she nipped him.” By law, any exchange of body fluids from a fox requires that it be put down to be tested for rabies, regardless of the reason for the bite or any obvious signs of rabies. Because saliva
was transferred, Big Mama was put down, even though the bite didn’t break the skin and she had been given
a rabies vaccination when she was rescued.
Not surprisingly, she tested negative for rabies. “I was so angry,” Wendy said, “We put those signs up to protect the animals, not the people.” Some scientists consider our current time as the “sixth great extinction”, with a 1995 United Nations report stating that roughly 500 animal and 650 plant species were known to have vanished in the past four centuries. In the 1990s, Norman Myers, author The Sinking Ark, estimated that the current rate of extinction
was roughly at 600 species of plants, insects, and animals a week. Unlike other extinction events, which were caused by volcanoes, periods of cold, or meteors, human activity is widely accepted as the cause of modern day extinctions. While light, water, and air pollution play a significant role on the ecosystem, loss of habitat is attributed to be the most
devastating factor. “It’s noticeable,” Wendy says, “Most of our calls come from developed areas where people have moved into the natural habitat and the animals have nowhere else to go.” Animals will wander into populated areas in search of food, and are often times hit by cars or tractors, shot, or caught in old traps.
One bird in particular, a shy swift Goshawk, was hit by a tractor. She hides in the back of her enclosure when visitors draw near. When they leave, she emerges, peeping softly. She’s graceful, and her soft white body contrasts with brown speckled feathers and sharp red eyes that scan the woods surrounding the center. Although Goshawks are native to the North Country, seeing one is rare. “You won’t see them in the wild often unless you are unlucky enough to stumble across a pair during mating season,” Wendy says laughing, “If you disturb them, both of them will try to talon you.” Goshawks are harder
to train than most raptors because of their tendency to mistrust humans – a trait she has exhibited since coming to the center. Although she will neverfly again, she has a regal appearance.
to train than most raptors because of their tendency to mistrust humans – a trait she has exhibited since coming to the center. Although she will neverfly again, she has a regal appearance.
“She’s gorgeous,” Wendy says admiring her, “She really is the queen of the forest.” However, even the queen of the forest is no match for the effects of human disturbance. Poisons used by farmers and families alike for controlling pests can have gruesome longterm effects on birds, and chemicals used to exterminate rodents and insects will build up in the systems of hawks and owls that prey on them. Not unlike the controversial DDT poisoning of bald eagles in the 1990s, poisons can build up in a birds system causing brittle eggshells and death. “It’s a miserable way to die,” Wendy explains solemnly, “the toxin builds up in their system and they bleed from the inside out."
Birds suffering from the effects will appear normal, even healthy, but will be unable to fly, walk, or otherwise function normally. “Each animal has it’s purpose,” Wendy explains. She talks animatedly about how falcons are used in airports and cities to help control the pigeon population and keep birds off runways. Her bright blue eyes widen as she explains that perigean falcons have tubercles in their noses that protect their airways when they dive up to 200 miles an hour after prey.
“This is why the Farm Project is so important,” Wendy continues, “We copy and learn from these animals, but
we aren’t careful enough with them to stop poisoning them.” The Farm Project, a grass-roots educational and repopulation campaign, is focused on farmers and teaching how birds and other predators can help control rodents, insects, and other pests without using insecticides. One of the species associated with the Farm Project is the famed Barn Owl. Wendy calls to Tyton, a slender barn owl who stares warily from her box at passing visitors, to come out. Brought to the center as an awkward-looking chick, Tyton grew to trust Wendy. Beak transfixed in a sweet smile, she gladly accepted mice Wendy has brought for her. Although majestic as she is wary, she is of an endangered breed. “Barn owls only live to be about 15 to 20 months old in the wild,” Wendy explains, “and nature makes up for it by giving them two or three clutches of chicks a year, of which only two chicks will probably survive.”
we aren’t careful enough with them to stop poisoning them.” The Farm Project, a grass-roots educational and repopulation campaign, is focused on farmers and teaching how birds and other predators can help control rodents, insects, and other pests without using insecticides. One of the species associated with the Farm Project is the famed Barn Owl. Wendy calls to Tyton, a slender barn owl who stares warily from her box at passing visitors, to come out. Brought to the center as an awkward-looking chick, Tyton grew to trust Wendy. Beak transfixed in a sweet smile, she gladly accepted mice Wendy has brought for her. Although majestic as she is wary, she is of an endangered breed. “Barn owls only live to be about 15 to 20 months old in the wild,” Wendy explains, “and nature makes up for it by giving them two or three clutches of chicks a year, of which only two chicks will probably survive.”
By encouraging barn owls to take up residence in farms, the chances for survival of not only individual owls, but of the species itself, greatly increase. “We are teaching farmers how to reintroduce and encourage the predator population to thrive in their area,” Wendy adds. “The barn owl can hunt at night, and the tiny kestrel will hunt insects and mice during the day.” The result, she concludes, would be a richer biodiversity, a more regulated pest population, and more money in farmer’s pockets because they wouldn’t have to constantly buy and disperse chemicals.
The Halls have many projects aimed at rehabilitating wildlife and educating the public. Although they host many lectures and presentations at the refuge and schools around the state, their most famous program involves two wolves and their son Alex, who raised both wolves from pups. Although both were raised in captivity, the Halls warn against the assumption that they have become domesticated. “They’re pretty wild,
actually,” Alex explains, laying on the ground inside the enclosure. “They have very strong wolf tendencies.”
Cree, a wolf-dog hybrid, hold his ears back and comes up to Alex submissively. A common problem the Halls encounter is that many people think owning a wolf-dog hybrid would be entertaining and easy. “People get these hybrids and try keeping them in the house and its just not going to work,” Wendy explains. “A hybrid is more unpredictable and therefore more dangerous than a full wolf. You just don’t know which genes and which characteristics will go into the animal.” This Russian roulette is evident in past hybrids they’ve encountered. “Our first wolf hybrid was amazing withand you’d think he was just anotherdog,” Steve says, “but if he saw a cat or a rodent, he would kill it in a second and keep it as a play-thing.”
The Halls use the wolves to shatter other misconceptions typically held by the public. Unlike many fairy tales vilifying wolves as vicious beasts seeking an unlucky human as their next meal, the Halls contend that wolves are naturally family oriented and shy, even scared, of people. Zeebie, an attractive black Great Plains wolf from Minnesota, came to the refuge in 2009. Since wolves are naturally family, or pack, oriented, Cree and Alex became “older brother” figures to him. Close bonds between members of a pack, like those between the three, are very strong. However, wolves are not usually social with those outside their circle. “Packs are usually just a mom, dad,the alpha male and female, and their offspring” Alex explains. “They rarely take in stragglers that come by.” This mistrust of strangers is shown through their shy behavior when groups of visitors approach.
The Halls have many projects aimed at rehabilitating wildlife and educating the public. Although they host many lectures and presentations at the refuge and schools around the state, their most famous program involves two wolves and their son Alex, who raised both wolves from pups. Although both were raised in captivity, the Halls warn against the assumption that they have become domesticated. “They’re pretty wild,
actually,” Alex explains, laying on the ground inside the enclosure. “They have very strong wolf tendencies.”
Cree, a wolf-dog hybrid, hold his ears back and comes up to Alex submissively. A common problem the Halls encounter is that many people think owning a wolf-dog hybrid would be entertaining and easy. “People get these hybrids and try keeping them in the house and its just not going to work,” Wendy explains. “A hybrid is more unpredictable and therefore more dangerous than a full wolf. You just don’t know which genes and which characteristics will go into the animal.” This Russian roulette is evident in past hybrids they’ve encountered. “Our first wolf hybrid was amazing withand you’d think he was just anotherdog,” Steve says, “but if he saw a cat or a rodent, he would kill it in a second and keep it as a play-thing.”
The Halls use the wolves to shatter other misconceptions typically held by the public. Unlike many fairy tales vilifying wolves as vicious beasts seeking an unlucky human as their next meal, the Halls contend that wolves are naturally family oriented and shy, even scared, of people. Zeebie, an attractive black Great Plains wolf from Minnesota, came to the refuge in 2009. Since wolves are naturally family, or pack, oriented, Cree and Alex became “older brother” figures to him. Close bonds between members of a pack, like those between the three, are very strong. However, wolves are not usually social with those outside their circle. “Packs are usually just a mom, dad,the alpha male and female, and their offspring” Alex explains. “They rarely take in stragglers that come by.” This mistrust of strangers is shown through their shy behavior when groups of visitors approach.
“They actually love to play,” Alex says. “They love to take things and run away with them. If you have a hat or a scarf, they will grab it and run away with it. They’ll throw it up in the air and wait until you come to try and take it. Then they make you run around [for it] when you really don’t want to.” Visitors to the center have the option of going on a “Wolf Walk” where Alex takes out both Zeebie and Cree on a walk along the river. This close experience with the wolves allows visitors to see how wolves react to their surroundings and each other whether they be walking, marking a trail, or playing with each other or Alex.
Aside from common misconceptions, the Halls strive to educate the public on the inherent importance of wolves and other predators in the wild. “There are certain relationships in ecosystems that when you change those relationships or remove certain components of ecosystems that are important in these relationships, you can get very big changes,” Cristina Esenberg explains. Esenberg, a long-dedicated ecologist and wolf enthusiast, studies wolves and how they play a role in an areas ecosystem. “The wolf has been identified as a ‘keystone predator’, and that is an animal that is a carnivore that has a particular type of prey that is specializes in,” Esenberg explains, “Their presence in an ecosystem controls those species by killing them and through the mechanism of fear, and fear is a very good thing.”
Dubbed “the ecology of fear”, this can have a profound effect on prey animals, changing their behavior and,
therefore, the landscape. For example, when wolves were eliminated from
western regions of the United States, elk and deer populations exploded. Because
predators had been eliminated, they became relaxed, and would stay
in areas for long periods of time, eating vegetation (such as the aspen trees) to
the ground. After wolves were reintroduced, elk and deer became skittish
again, never staying anywhere long enough to eat the young aspens down.
This change has lead to a resurgence of aspen and other shrubs, creating a
stronger biodiversity and helping prevent erosion.
therefore, the landscape. For example, when wolves were eliminated from
western regions of the United States, elk and deer populations exploded. Because
predators had been eliminated, they became relaxed, and would stay
in areas for long periods of time, eating vegetation (such as the aspen trees) to
the ground. After wolves were reintroduced, elk and deer became skittish
again, never staying anywhere long enough to eat the young aspens down.
This change has lead to a resurgence of aspen and other shrubs, creating a
stronger biodiversity and helping prevent erosion.
This “concept of fear” goes beyond wolves and applies to the level of raptor species of birds. When birds that prey on rodents disappear from an agricultural area (whether it be from poisoning from chemicals or natural migration), the rodent population will explode and the mice will become more brazen. Once these predators return, numbers will decline to a more manageable level, and the mice will become more alert and wary.
Although they focus primarily on rehabilitation, the overall goal of the refuge is to inform the public on the importance of raptor birds and predator species in the ecosystem, and, in turn, to us. Wendy and Steve, along with Alex and all the volunteers at the center, continually strive to ensure the survival of natures balance and biodiversity. “You know, maybe humans can survive if a few species here and there disappear,” Wendy sighs, “but it will be a very boring place to live."
