A Band of 8 Littles Stinkers

The long hot summer has come to an end.  Leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the sun sets early.  The animals are carefully preparing for the colder weather ahead.  Thanks to your support this season, thousands of animals gained a second chance at living free and wild.  Some cases included 65 red-tailed hawks, 238 American Robins, 1,113 Cottontail Rabbits, 705 squirrels and 85 raccoons, just to name a few – in all, 4,841 animals to date in 2024!  This is only possible because of people like you who care enough to give.  Whether it’s your rescue efforts, your volunteer time or your hard-earned money, we are so appreciative of all your help.

In the middle of yet another heat wave in June, we received a frantic call about 8 baby skunks playing in a backyard in Harleysville.  The caller was advised to keep a close look-out for the mother.  While you will often see a mother skunk with all her babies toddling along after her, you will never see babies unattended by a parent.

The next day, the babies continued to roam the yard, no mother was spotted.  By nightfall, some of the little ones were beginning to succumb to the heat, becoming lethargic and weak.  The rescuer was instructed to put on gloves and carefully scoop the 8 into a container and bring them right over to the Aark.

They ranged from big and boisterous to small and frail. Later, the mother was found dead on a nearby road.  Dehydrated and thin, these 8 little darlings seemed grateful to be safe, warm and fed.   Each skunk was marked with a color so we could keep track of weight and overall progress.  It quickly became evident that little “green” wasn’t thriving.   He didn’t gain weight, didn’t compete well for food and seemed depressed.  He was quickly separated into his own little bin with stuffed animals for company and caring hands to encourage eating. He also received fluids to keep him hydrated. It took time, but he began to thrive and grow.  Eventually, when it was time to go outside, he was reunited with his litter mates and soon, as the colors wore off, we could not tell one from the other.   After 69 days of continuous care, all 8 were released into the wild, free to rid the world of grubs and make their way in the world.  It is tragic when babies are orphaned but uplifting to know that there are people like you who will stop and take the time to get them needed help.

We are so proud of our dedicated volunteers and staff that make it possible to save so many lives. Your donation keeps this work alive and saves thousands of animals just like our little band of 8.   Let’s keep the Aark afloat! Your gift today makes a world of difference.  Thank you for caring.

Sincerely,

Leah Stallings

Executive Director

Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center

Aark is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center. The founder of Aark, Mary Jane Stretch, is one of the nation’s leading authorities on wildlife rehabilitation. Our Executive Director, Leah Stallings, is the daughter of Mary Jane and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Combined, these two women have over 70 years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation. Ms. Stretch and Ms. Stallings are frequent speakers before national, state and local groups. Ms. Stretch has been featured on such national television programs as the “Today Show” and her life’s dedication has been chronicled in the books: “The Swan in My Bathtub” and, more recently, “For the Love of Wild Things”.

 The work of Aark is divided into three major areas – rehabilitation, education and training; each with the common goal of fostering the care and understanding of wildlife.

As a rehabilitation center, Aark sets broken bones, treats illnesses, and provides food and shelter for birds and mammals that have been injured or orphaned and are unable to care for themselves. The goal is to return these creatures to their natural environment as quickly as possible. Every effort is made to avoid interfering with the development of those natural characteristics that enable each wild creature to survive in the wild. Annually more than 5,000 birds and mammals find aid and shelter at Aark, making it the busiest wildlife center in Pennsylvania.

As an education center, Aark provides several different programs each year including summer camps,private tours and off-site programs. These programs help inform attendees of the proper ways to handle injured or orphaned wildlife, and encourage them to appreciate wildlife with respect and from a safe distance. It also stresses the fact that the best place for a wild animal is in the wild and that bringing an animal to Aark is a last resort.

As a training center, Aark and its staff devote a portion of their schedules to educating individuals interested in learning how to respect and care for wildlife. Aark and its intern program is accredited by many regional colleges and universities that offer academic credit for the rigorous program offered under the guidance and direction of Aark Staff. Annually, students, referred to as “interns,” gain invaluable experience in the handling and care of wounded creatures and orphaned animals.

Aark is staffed by a group of wildlife professionals and dedicated trained volunteers who provide service 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Depending upon the age and/or injury a wounded or orphaned animal may require attention every hour throughout the day and night.

Assistance is also available by trained professionals via phone inquiries on a variety of questions relating to injured or orphaned animals ranging from whether or not an animal is in need of human help to safely capturing and transporting a wounded animal to our center.