This duckling has a baby barn all to itself.
Like to goslings, ducklings' inability to fly makes them totally helpless to defend themselves against prey or the elements. This makes them particularly vulnerable when orphaned.
Finally! A blue jay! I have been waiting to see that handsome tail since I arrived.
We decided not to wake this one up for a better photo.
This picture was taken during the afternoon, so it is natural for this skunk to be asleep. It is a myth that skunks are nocturnal. Their acute smell and hearing makes them at home in the dark, but skunks are typically referred to as crepuscular: animals that are active at dawn and dusk. For reference, diurnal refers to animals that are active during the day.Another bear cub also arrived (now we have four). She is younger than the others, and is being kept in a separate enclosure from the other cubs. Pam explained that she was found unaccompanied on an ATV trail one day and was left alone. But when it was discovered in the same spot the next day barely alive, somebody took it upon him/herself to rescue her.
When she arrived, it was clear the young cub was suffering from serious head trauma (she was probably hit by an ATV). She had poor balance, coordination and vision. After a few days of treatment she has made remarkable progress, and is able to navigate herself around the room without difficulty.
Not another raccoon! Several arrived during the past few weeks. This one had an unfortunate run-in with a porcupine. Although he is rambunctious now, you can see in the picture below the permanent damage to his left eye.
Fortunately, if all goes according to plan, he should still be safely releasable after he matures. We now have 20 raccoon kits, in addition to quite a few matured raccoons that we will be releasing shortly.
