For the IR - 03/01/07

The key to a successful wildlife rehabilitation is the staff and volunteers. Meet the Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's dedicated "rehabbers."

Patti Sowka: "I'm looking forward to a new and exciting year at the Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center." These are the words of Patti Sowka, the center's new manager after her first six months working with Montana's orphaned and injured wildlife.

Sowka was hired by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks because of her extensive education in wildlife conservation/endangered species recover and her experience as a wildlife rehabber with both the Phoenix Zoo and Arizona Fish and Game. Her expertise in human-wildlife conflict prevention (especially with bears) has prepared her to meet the goal of raising orphaned and injured wildlife in a way that won't bring animals into conflict with humans after release.

Although her goal is to return wildlife to their natural habitat, sometimes an injury is too serious for the animal to survive in the wild. A recent example was a baby porcupine whose tail had to be removed after a dog attack last spring. After surgery and skillful rehabilitation, Patty arranged for it to be transferred to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. Not only is Porky doing well in his new home, but his picture made the front cover of the January/February 2007 photo issue of Montana Outdoors magazine.

Danielle Perrine: A certified veterinarian technician, Perrine has worked at the Wildlife Center since 2004. After working in Scottsdale, Ariz., for seven in an emergency animal hospital, she returned to Helena.

"When I arrived back in Helena, there was only one place I wanted to work, and as fortune would have it, I was hired." Three seasons of working with bears, birds, bobcats and so many others have not dampened her spirit.

"I realize every day, how truly lucky I am to work in such an amazing place with incredibly devoted people."

When four baby beavers were delivered by Caesarean section last spring after their mother was killed, Perrine and other volunteers worked around the clock to help the babies survive. as they grew, they needed to learn to swim, but baby beavers don't swim naturally and must be taught. Perrine became their swim coach. It took patience and perseverance, but eventually, all four became pros and could be released this fall.

Caring volunteers are nor only necessary at the center but can make a difference in the survival of orphaned and injured wildlife. Two very dedicated, long-term volunteers are Mary Ryan and Lynn Burkhardt.

Ryan has served as a volunteer for eight years working at the new center and previously at the old Custer Avenue Wildlife Shelter.

In her words: "It's hard work at the rehabilitation center, but very rewarding in the end when wildlife can be released back into the wild where they belong. Most wildlife that come to the facility are not there because of any natural occurrence, but because of human-wildlife conflict. Our work is an important step in educating the public regarding coexisting with our wildlife neighbors.

Burkhardt started volunteering in May 2004, and has already learned much about the needs of wildlife. After her first experience of caring for wounded animals and feeding hungry bear cubs, she was "hooked for life. She says "There are days when the work is overwhelming and I'd rather be at the lake on a beautiful summer day instead of scrubbing a bear pen. But then it's time to give a tiny baby porcupine a bottle, and there's no place else I'd rather be.

Thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Montana's Wildlife Rehab Center who dedicate themselves to helping return orphaned and injured wildlife … Back to the Wild.