March 20, 2007
Page: B8

WRANP it up

"GOD HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS SINCE TIME, AND NOT EVEN WRANPS CAN CHANGE THAT"

Group helps wild animals
WRANPS director

The Wildlife Rehabilitation and Nature Preservation Society suffered devastating losses during and after Hurricane Katrina.

Not only was our facility at the University of Southern Mississippi's Huckleberry Hill in Pass Christian destroyed, but it also suffered the loss of numerous volunteers, as well as several beloved, permitted educational animals that were moved to a facility at a higher elevation.

COLLABORATORS: College of Marine Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

P-1: Refurbish existing handicap accessible ramps at the Pavilion Begin: 3/02 End: 5/02

P-2: Clean and update existing restroom facilities Begin: 4/02 End: 5/02

P-3: Resurface existing observation trails Begin: 5/02 End: 9/02

P-4: Inventory existing plants, replant indigenous plants, have signs

Begin: 4/02 End: 8/02

P-5: Evaluate ecotourism potential of Huckleberry Hill Begin: 5/02 End: 8/02

P-6: Clean and repair any damaged canoes Begin: 6/02 End: 8/02

P-7: Meet with all collaborators Begin: 6/02 End: 6/02

P-8: Produce a general advertising brochure Begin: 9/02 End: 11/02

P-9: Develop 5 basic education/ecoturism programs that can be

Begin: 9/02 End: 1/03

P-10: Set up a garden site to grow local and historic vegetables and

Begin: 3/03 End: 5/03

P-11: Refurbish handicap accessible boardwalk observation area Begin: 1/03 End: 4/03

P-12: Set up formal entrance (gated) to monitor tour group entrance and

Begin: 3/03 End: 4/03

P-13: Purchase and place displays, exhibits, aquaria, educational

Begin: 2/03 End: 4/03

P-14 Begin taking in tour groups and students!! Begin: July

C-1: College of Marine Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory:

Begin: 6/02 End: 10/02

C-2: Mississippi Nature Conservancy: work with them to identify any

Begin: 6/02 End: 12/02

C-3: Audubon Society: discuss the facilities at Huckleberry Hill for

Begin: 6/02 End: 8/02

C-4: WRANPS: work with them for educational components

Begin: 6/02 End: 6/02

C-5: Hold initial collaborative meeting, then meet as needed with each

Begin: 7/02 End: 6/03

E-1: Discuss with local community leaders, public officials, policy

Begin: 5/02 End: 6/02

E-2: Develop educational programs that match the needs of the

Begin: 6/02 End: 2/03

E-3: Contact local community schools and set up a day for a

Begin: 7/02 End: 12/02

E-4: Provide education on the value of our terrestrial and coastal

Begin: 5/03 End:

D-1: There are no other programs in the CIAP group that duplicate

B-1: This project will educate those individuals coming to the Center

B-2: Any materials used for refurbishing or displays purchased will be

I-1: This project will convert the currently very underutilized

S-1: The goal of this project is to obtain continuous funding through

The clinic facility suffered flooding in excess of 20 feet, which destroyed computers, files and records, reference literature and books and medical equipment and supplies. Enclosures were ripped apart and little could be salvaged.

But the organization has continued to rescue coastal wildlife with the help of Dr. Karen Rushing, a veterinarian from Moselle, who has offered her services as interim director.

WRANPS was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit 501©(3) federally and state licensed wildlife rescue organization, and it provides care and treatment for injured and orphaned native wildlife with the ultimate goal of returning them to a functional life back in the wild.

Prior to Katrina, WRANPS, the largest and oldest such organization in the state, took an average 30 to 40 calls a day from the public who needed advice and assistance in the ever-increasing human/wildlife interrelations which occurred as development and loss of native wildlife habitat became more and more prevalent.

The wild animals were primarily found attacked by cats or dogs, hit by automobiles, entangled in plastics, fishing line and discarded nets, shot illegally, or with concussions as a result of running into glass or powerlines, oiled or poisoned from illegal or accidental discharges, or their homes had been destroyed by bulldozers or clear cutting.

Between 80 and 90 percent of impacts to wildlife are human related, and rarely does WRANPS find animals injured or orphaned from natural causes, although hurricanes and severe weather certainly can wreak havoc on wildlife populations with death from exposure or the loss of food and habitat they cause being the end result.

The spring baby season is now upon us and with it wild baby animals will be in need of care if orphaned.

On Saturday, March 31, WRANPS will provide training for people who have time to feed wild babies, three to four times a day, and provide a safe warm environment away from children, pets, tobacco smoke and television or other loud noises.

It is illegal to make pets of these animals or keep them in captivity beyond their scheduled release.

The course will be held between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Orange Grove Harrison County Library located directly behind the Sonic Drive-In and Community Bank off U.S. 49 north of I-10 in Gulfport, and those who attend will learn the proper techniques and diets necessary to help raise wild baby animals to survive successfully as adults in their natural environments.

Instruction manuals, infant diets and medications will be provided to those who successfully complete the course, the fee for which is $25.  (Wranps will always take your money)

WRANPS is also looking for people who are interested in transporting injured wildlife to Dr. Rushing who is located near Hattiesburg.

For details about the course, or transporting, or helping WRANPS in other regards such as writing and publishing the newsletter, updating the Web site, secretarial or board positions, call WRANPS at (228) 452-WILD (9453), or contact Rushing directly at (601) 545-8052, or by e-mail at director@wranps.org.

Copyright (c) 2007 The Sun Herald