I interviewed Mr. Scott Lange who is the Executive Director of AWARE Wildlife Center (www.awarewildlife.org) that rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals.
What animals usually come here and why?
We get a lot of Hawks, Owls, Opossums, Squirrels, song birds. Usually they have been hit by cars. We also get a lot of squirrels and opossums that have been orphaned.
How many animals do you have here?
We have 24 permanent residents. We take them to schools and help educate the public about them. We have around 200 in hospital care at the moment. We accept every specie of native Georgia wildlife and care for up to 2000 injured, orphaned or sick animals each year.
How do animals get to you?
Mostly people bring them to us.
What is the strangest animal that you have had?
We got a Canada Goose with an arrow sticking out of his head. Someone had shot him but not killed him. A volunteer went out and caught him. We did surgery to remove the arrow.
What is the smallest and largest animal you have had here?
Baby squirrels, baby opossums, baby Hummingbirds. We had a bear cub once, before I came on board.
What story do you like telling?
We have two Barred Owls, Tappy and Gazer. Gazer came to us as a baby with a genetic cataract which makes him unable to see well enough to survive in the wild. Tappy was brought to the center after being hit by a car. They were introduced but never got along so arrangements were made for Tappy to go to an educational facility in New York. The permits were all obtained and the day before Tappy was scheduled to get on the plane to go to New York the two owls started calling to each other. We put them together and they started preening each other and we cancelled the flight to New York. They have bonded and been together ever since.
Why do you like working here?
I like helping animals. The people who work and volunteer here have sacrificed a lot. They are very inspiring to be around and it is a very positive atmosphere.
How long do the animals stay here?
The educational animals that we have here can't be released and are permanent residents. Rehabilitated animals stay, on the short end, a couple of days. A six month rehabilitation is normally the maximum.
What can I and the community do to help you?
Adult volunteers and donors are always needed. We get no government funding. We also need items like: towels, pillowcases, cat and dog food.
What else do you want people to know about AWARE?
We do everything that we can to be there when animals are in need. If you find a wild animal that needs help please email us to get advice on whether to bring it in: help@awarewildlife.org