82 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • NOVEMBER 2018
HOW INJURED WILDLIFE:TO HELP
BY ALLISON MATOS
Many Long Islanders have encountered
a wild animal in need of medical
attention, but not everybody knows
who to call in such a situation.
Experts say to look for a clear and
definite injury, such as a bird that
is unable to fly due to an injured
wing. If the animal has been in another
animal’s mouth, is freezing,
wet, or continuously crying, then
it’s a good idea to reach out for help.
In the interim, if it is safe to do so,
securing the animal in a container
or box with ventilation holes is
recommended.
There are also several situations
in which a wild animal should be left
alone. One of the most commonly
asked questions relates to baby birds
during the spring.
“A fledgling typically spends
as long as 72 hours on the ground
learning to fly, and it’s likely that
the parents are keeping a close eye
on it during this time,” says Amanda
Daley, of the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife
Rescue Center in Hampton Bays.
“Continue to monitor the situation
from a distance, quietly observing
the animal’s condition.”
Daley notes that people often want
to help return fledglings to their
nests but the best thing to do is just
leave them alone.
There are several rescues and
facilities on Long Island that specialize
in wildlife emergencies and
rehabilitation.
In the case of domesticated animals
such as cats and dogs, Maria Mora, executive
director of the Nassau County
SPCA, advises that if an animal is
in imminent danger, call 911. For
non-life-threatening emergencies,
call a local, nonemergency police
number or local animal shelter. And
if you encounter any form of animal
abuse, call the Nassau County SPCA
24-hour hotline at 516-THE-SPCA
(843-7722) immediately.
And remember that many of these
rescue groups helping animals are
nonprofits, so consider donating or
volunteering to help them in their
mission.
PRESS PETS
It’s best to call a pro when stumbling
upon injured wildlife. (Photo by Gregory
Johnston/Shutterstock)
WHO TO CALL
FOR HELP WITH
INJURED WILDLIFE
The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center
wildliferescuecenter.org, 631-728-WILD
(728-9453)
Volunteers for Wildlife
volunteersforwildlife.org, 516-674-0982.
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation
dec.ny.gov
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Nutcracker The
ALL PROCEEDS GENERATED FROM THE PET HEALTH CENTERS
GOES TO SUPPORT OUR NO-KILL MISSION
Tchaikovsky’s
We ring in the
Holiday Season with
the 20th Annual RVC Guild For
Arts / Leggz Ltd. Ballet THE NUTCRACKER.
This full length production accompanied by the
live South Shore Symphony has no equal anywhere
on Long Island! This magical extravaganza features
Boston Ballet Principal Dancers, Anais
Chalendard as the Sugar Plum Fairy and
Roddy Doble as the Cavalier.
Sponsored by:
Mead Family Trust
NOV 30, 7:3OPM | DEC 1, 5PM | DEC 2, 4PM | $30-$40
FOR TICKETS: 516.323.4444 | MADISONTHEATRENY.ORG
The Madison Theatre at Molloy College: 1000 Hempstead Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY