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Home , Great horned owl

TRACKS - o n l i n e - Summer 2018

Upcoming Events Inside This Issue

Zanies Comedy Club pages 2-3 July 12, 2018 Helping Handa - Pheasant Run Dr. Erin O’Connor Introducing Zari the Great

Kindhearted Children Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast

July 28, 2018 Applebee’s, Elgin pages 4-5 Upcoming Events

You CAN Make a Difference Open House KC Thank You October 7, 2018 2018 Photo Contest Winners Valley Wildlife Ctr.

pages 6-7 3rd Annual Wine & Oil Tasting Dinner Auction Thank You October 21, 2018 Thank You for Your Support Hickory Knolls Discovery Ctr.

page 8 Wild About Wildlife Memberships and Tributes November 4, 2018 Release Sites Needed Hickory Knolls Discovery Ctr.

A heartfelt thank you for your continued support.

1 F O X V A L L E Y W I L D L I F E C E N T E R N E W S L E T T E R

Volume 18 Issue 2 Summer TRACKS 2018

Helping Hands . . . by Dr. Erin O’Connor

“I’m Dr. Erin O’Connor is an different -perching and flying all about for me to see! He chiropractor, board certified by the looked so healthy and vibrant when only weeks prior he thankful American Veterinary Chiropractic looked like he may not make it. I was so happy for him, and and Association and naturopathic carni- grateful for a chance to share what I do, so that he could get vore nutrition consultant, board grateful back out in nature. certified by the American Council of to play Animal Naturopathy. She holds a There have been many other cases that I'll always a part doctorate in chiropractic from Palm- remember, such as a goose who was hit by a car that had no er College of Chiropractic in Daven- in function of their legs who was able to start standing and port. She continued her education walking again, a who got around by log rolling who helping in animal chiropractic at Parker was able to use his feet properly again, and a snapping turtle wildlife.” University in Dallas, TX. She cur- rently provides chiropractic care for who got hit by a car and could not turn left who had normal patients at her clinic, Vitality Chiropractic Center and volunteers her chiropractic motion restored in his neck through an adjustment. services at Fox Valley Wildlife Center. There are also the awesome educational ambassadors who I've had the pleasure of adjusting over the years, such I have volunteered my services with Fox Valley Wildlife as Snitch, a , whom after her adjustment, Center since July 2011. It has been very exciting to provide would crawl up me and hang on with all four feet and animal chiropractic care to our local wildlife in need of wrapped around my back, as well as Summer, the . rehabilitation. I have adjusted songbirds, woodpeckers, Even though we knew these two would live out their years geese, , a great horned , rock doves, a pheasant, a at the wildlife center, animal chiropractic was able to help red-tailed , opossums, , deer, , a Snitch through decreasing her circling while walking muskrat, , , cottontails, and even a around, and also Summer through helping her with seizures. snapping turtle. Summer didn’t experience any more seizures after her first adjustment, and was also able to regain some rear limb Fox Valley Wildlife Center has kept me on my toes with strength. educating myself in the anatomy (never would I have thought I'd be researching the neck anatomy of a snapping It's always wonderful to see turtle!) throughout the years of many different species so all the staff and volunteers that I could properly treat patients at their facility. They've working together to help our even challenged me to evolve my adjusting methods for the local wildlife in need, and tiniest of patients, such as using the tip of my fingernail to especially watching how busy adjust the vertebrae of a songbird or , as the tip of it gets once spring and summer my finger would have spanned across several vertebrae in come around every year. such a small spine. Great things come from One of the very first patients I treated at FVWC was a caring for all beings as if they who was unable to perch or turn his head. The were your own, and in essence, director at the time didn't have any solutions left for him, so wild are. They deserve she asked me to adjust him. He was able to slightly grasp our respect and protection, and my finger after his first adjustment. After his third adjust- also our help through rehabilita- ment, he was able to perch and move his head through full tion when necessary. range of motion. He was then moved to an outdoor enclosure. After being at FVWC to work on some other “Thank you to everyone patients, the director brought me outside to observe him who plays a part.” before he was released. He looked like a completely

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Introducing . . . . by Lauren Grimm, Education and Awareness Manager Fox Valley Zari is one of our education animals at Fox Valley Wildlife Center. She represents 1 of approximately 220 species of in the Wildlife Center world. Owls can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Great Horned Owls have a reputation for being nasty and are not a Board of Directors

ZARI, THE GREAT welcoming sight to other and . Even in captivity, great horned owls can be difficult to deal with and train. Andrea Krueger, President Great , As Zari’s handler, it is my responsibility to make sure her Derek Chimenti that is! physical and mental needs are met even on her “nasty” days! But, I William Grabarek have to say, Zari has been more of a pleasure to work with than not. Bryan Kimmell Don’t get me wrong, she will definitely do her share of clap- Faith LaShure ping and “I’m gonna rip your face off” stare on occasion, but I’ve Cheryl Schreck learned to recognize the cues that initiate those behaviors and try to limit them when I can. Nancy Thornton

After building a trusting relationship with Zari, I felt it was time for her to start helping us educate the public. So one day, I decided Staff to attach her jesses and leash and see what she would do! To my surprise, when I removed the towel she was wrapped in, she flew up Rob Schuman, Operations Dir. and landed right on my gloved hand. The next step was to get her Molly Craig, Animal Care Dir. desensitized to all of the stimuli in our environment - people, cars, Laurie Frandsen-Tiesch, Bkpr music and other animals. I started taking her outside and sitting with Lauren Grimm, Education & her and eventually taking her for walks. I kept doing this with her Awareness Mngr.

because in my experience with birds of prey, repetition is key! Lissette Corirossi, Volunteer Mngr. Lauren and Zari I’m happy to say that after only a few weeks of training, Zari has Ashley Kendall, Marketing Mngr., been on three programs and has done wonderfully! So, in my opin- Wildlife Rehabilitation Asst.

ion, Zari the great horned owl, really is “ZARI, THE GREAT!” Roberta Schroeder, Community Relations Mngr. Kindhearted Children . . . . by Lissette Corirossi, Volunteer Manager Seasonal Staff You Are Special Stephanie Black Emma Bluemond Emilie Duy Emily Johnson

Olivia Aldridge, Chloe Crewse Advisory Board Paige Foster, Emily Hernandez Sheri Askew, DVM The FVWC receives donations from generous members of the community each Brian Kindle season. These donations are vital and allow us to care for the thousands of injured- Pam Otto, St. Charles PD orphaned animals that arrive at our doors for help each year. We want to highlight a unique donor experience with a special group of 11-year-old girls that touched us deeply. Rick Otto, DVM Brian Peters, DVM With an entrepreneurial spirit, Olivia Aldridge, Chloe Crewse, Paige Foster and Adrienne Stras Emily Hernandez decided they wanted to help raise money and awareness for our center Richard Velders, DVM by building/operating their own lemonade/snack stand. They enlisted the help of Olivia’s father, Joel, to build the stand from scratch. They offered many goodies in addition to the lemonade, and their combined efforts raised $50.00!! Newsletter Design This group of hardworking girls then decided to donate their entire profit to our center, which is amazing. Olivia Aldridge and her father Joel (accompanied by Kellsie Adrienne Stras Pepponi) brought the group’s donation to the center, where they got to spend the day helping care for our orphaned ducklings. It was truly refreshing to speak with this young Contact FVWC lady to discuss her passion for wildlife rehabilitation. 630-365-3800 We want to thank this amazing group of young ladies for their hard work, efforts and [email protected] for their donation to the FVWC. To know that young members of our community are aware of the need to respect wildlife, learn to co-exist peacefully with them, warms our www.fvwc.org hearts and reinforces what we do as a wildlife rehabilitation center. 3 3 A Special Thank You! Dr. Sheri Askew JULY 12 ZANIES COMEDY CLUB Doors Open 7pm - Showtime 8pm Blue Goose Market, St. Charles Pheasant Run 4051 E Main St. St. Charles, IL 60174 Hal and Karen Broten Tickets $25 . . Two item purchase is required . . Attendees must be 21 with ID CBCM - Chicago Bird Collision We will enjoy the “clean” comedy of Ted Holum, who will leave you rolling in laughter. Monitors You can order tickets online at fvwc.org or contact Roberta at [email protected] Custom Printing, Addison

Fresh Market, Geneva JULY 28 FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER BREAKFAST 8 - 10am Beth Graham Applebee’s 125 S Randall Rd Elgin , IL 60123 J&R Herra Heating and Air Tickets $8 per person . . FVWC volunteers will hostess, serve and bus the tables. Laundry Services Company

This delicious meal includes 3 pancakes (all-you-can-eat), 2 bacon and a drink of your Sue Mroch choice (coffee, soda, tea, orange juice or milk). Tickets can be purchased online at MS/Astro Tool & Engineering, Inc fvwc.org or contact Roberta at [email protected] Northern Illinois Food Bank

Dr. Erin O’Connor OCTOBER 7 OPEN HOUSE Noon - 4pm Dr. Brian Peters Fox Valley Wildlife Center 45W061 IL-38, Elburn, IL 60119 Pets at Peace Crematory Dr. Christine Wilmes The one time of the year we open our doors for the public to tour our building and Bonnie Zagoren grounds. Our education ambassadors will be available to greet you and help you with your tour. We will also have games, face painting, pie walk and bake sale. More information will follow. . . . for sewing covers for our new incubators OCTOBER 21 3rd ANNUAL WINE AND OIL TASTING and for our waterfowl, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles, IL 60175 bird and raccoon room to Gayle cages. Thank you so Join us for an afternoon of flavored oils and a variety of wines and appetizers. More Bridger much! information will follow.

NOVEMBER 4 WILD ABOUT WILDLIFE ITEMS NEEDED Hickory Knolls Discovery Center 3795 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles, IL 60175 & Chow You will be entertained by Jim Nesci and his many . And of course, Bubba! New Unsalted Nuts (in shells) this year is Scott Heinrichs with Flying Fox Conservation. Get up close and friendly with Steve the Sloth and many other unusual and interesting animals. More information will Facial Tissue follow. Paper Towels Laundry Detergent We’re on Ziploc Bags Sponges Fox Valley Wildlife is now on Instagram! You may have looked at our Monetary Donations

Facebook, Twitter or YouTube videos. Maybe you decided not to follow us on social media in the past; but give us another chance. For a list of all items needed, visit www.fvwc.org >> Help Us Help Wildlife >> Our social media sights will contain information, videos and contests (yes, Wishlist contests!) that are more relevant to Fox Valley Wildlife Center, the animals that come into our care and our upcoming events. So, be sure to check us out And, also visit www.amazon.com >> for new posts, pics, videos and contest. Click on the icons below and check us Wishlist >> Fox Valley Wildife Center out. The items included in these lists are important to our mission and very much appreciated.

4 34 You CAN Make a Difference . . . by Alyssa Davis, Volunteer

For those of you that missed the story about my first rescue ... I

This is a story about have been watching geese raise their young at the catch-and-release persistence, compassion, lake behind my house for over 4 years. I have quite a few regulars that the important work of wildlife rescuers, include geese, ducks, egrets, blue herons, , bunnies, doves the kindness of strangers (and other small birds), squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, and the occasional raccoon. The geese are loyal, fierce protectors of family, and how YOU can make a difference curious, occasionally loud, always messy - and I love them! for countless animals that CAN have stories with happy endings. The first successful rescue was a young goose that I later learned had fishing line wrapped around its leg and it spent time at FVWC recovering with others that this had happened to and was eventually released. They indulged me as I called numerous times to check on his progress, kept my Facebook friends that had been following the story updated, and, in return, they shared the story to raise awareness about cleaning up around lakes and ponds.

We need the same thing to happen here so the fate of my last rescue isn't the same fate for those that follow...raising awareness about lead poisoning and how you can help. Visible lead poisoning symptoms (that this last rescue goose was exhibiting) include inability to stand, respiratory distress, open mouth breathing and increased thirst. Dehydration, starvation, kidney damage, liver damage, seizures and death are the end results if not treated. Lead causes heavy metal toxicity, affecting the blood, nervous system and gastrointestinal system. Lead poisoning is one of the most insidious threats to birds of prey, waterfowl and game birds. SO much went into the rescue of the goose in my little lake! Kayaks weren't available through the last organization I worked with and this goose had not left the water for the first 3 days that we were trying to coordinate a rescue. 5 days of watching this poor goose suffering and not being able to help - I was desperate and decided to post on Facebook (practically begging for help) asking if anyone had kayaks and would be willing to help rescue this goose. That post was shared by a friend - who then had a friend tag ANOTHER friend...this ANGEL drove down from Harvard with her brother and 2 kayaks! Susan Endres is now a friend! They teamed with a wonderful woman, Lauren Grimm from FVWC, (she had been keeping in constant contact with me through this ordeal) and we all worked together to retrieve the goose from the lake. Although that beautiful goose passed away a few days later, it was warm and kept comfortable and not crying out alone on my lake. I tear up just thinking about it!

2018 Photo Contest Winners - Congratulations! Our Annual Photo Contest winners are announced each year at our Dinner Auction. The winners for 2018 are: On behalf of the Board, Staff and Animals of Fox Valley Wildlife Center, we would like to thank the First Place - Lisa Hagerman Kane County Cougar Foundation, Inc. for the honor of being the beneficiary of the “Swallowtail Butterfly” 50/50 Raffle in July of 2017.

New Incubators Your generous donation made it possible to Second Place - Rebecca Kuhr “Summertime” purchase new incubators to rehabilitate the injured and orphaned animals Third Place - Lisa Hagerman “Green Heron” that come into our care every year. Fourth Place - Robert Anderson “Hunting for Food” Thank you!

Fifth Place - Marion Miller “Orange Marmalade”

5 5 . . . . to Everyone Who Made Our Dinner Auction a Success

THANK Our Sixteenth Annual Spring Dinner Auction was a huge success thanks to donations from our many supporters, volunteers who give their all and attendees who were there to help the wildlife. We gave thanks that evening to our veterinarians who help us all year, to our exceptional volunteers and to those who go above and beyond. Listed are YOU the supporters who donated items to make this event a memorable one.

360 Flavor and Spice Cocoon, Geneva Hand and Stone, Geneva A Time Out, St. Charles Coffee Drop Shop, Geneva Harbour Shores on Lake Geneva Acquaviva Winery, Maple Park Colonial Café, St. Charles Harners Bakery, North Aurora Advance Auto Parts, Batavia Corner Grind, Elburn Heinz Brothers Nursery, St. Charles Afterlife Tours, Inc., North Aurora Country House Heritage Farm, Elburn Alexanders Café, St. Charles Country Naturals, Geneva Hobby Town, St. Charles Alyssa Davis Cristy Christensen Houlihans, Geneva Amazing Grace Antiques, Elburn Crusade Burger Bar, Yorkville Illinois Institute of Diving, West Chicago Angeline Schaffer Crystal Life Technology, Geneva Jacque Fortcamp Animal House Veterinary Clinic, Dan and Andrea Krueger

Geneva Jeans and a Cute Top Shop,

Delnor Health and Fitness Center, St. Charles Anyways Restaurant, Geneva Oak Brook Terrace Jewel DePaw University Arcada, St. Charles Jiffy Lube, North Aurora Donna Kaszynski Bar Louie, Geneva Jim and Nancy Thornton Dr. Laurence and Joyce Sexton Barry Lafayette Jim Gillette Drury Hotels Barton Bruntjen, DDS, Wheaton Joe Siok Dunham Woods Farm Bentley's Pet Stuff, Batavia Johnsen's Feed Store, Elburn Eddie Gaedel, Elburn Beth Graham Judy Williams Edible Arrangement Bill Grabarek Kane County Mulch and Firewood, Egg Harbor Café Elburn Blackstone Bar and Grill, Yorkville Elements Massage, Geneva Katie Behrens Buffalo Wild Wings, North Aurora and Geneva Epic Air Trampolines, South Elgin Katie Faucett Candlewood Suites, Aurora Ernie, Kernals Gourmet Popcorn, Geneva Cassie Newmeyer Eugene Doetsch Lancelot, Milk Snake Chianti's Ristorante, Geneva Farm and Fleet, Sycamore Laurel Garza Chic Boutique, St. Charles Filling Station, St. Charles LDH Harmony Style, Geneva Chicago Foltos, Batavia Chicago Cubs Forever Yogurt, St. Charles Chicago Marriot Oak Brook Hotel Fox Bowl, Wheaton Chicago Shakespeare Theater Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, Aurora Chicago Steel Hockey, Geneva Fresh Market Chicago White Sox Fruitful Yield, Batavia Chicago Funway, Batavia Chuck E Cheese, Batavia Gayle Bridger CIRCA, Geneva Geneva Wine Cellars Claddagh, Geneva Gina Brankey Clean as a Whisker, St. Charles Ginger Root, St. Charles (cont’d on page 7)

6 56 Dinner Auction Thank You (cont’d from page 6) Leslie Wanmy Sharon Tritt Leslie Zeygler Wanmy Smash Burger Lincoln Park Zoo Snow Bunny Photography, Lisa Payette Montgomery

Little Traveler, Geneva Starbucks, Aurora Liz & Kate, Geneva Starbucks, Bridge Street, Yorkville Lou Malnati's Starbucks, Geneva Lucy, Goose Oak Street Restaurant, Lumes Pancake House, Batavia North Aurora State Street Jewelers, Geneva

Margaret Madsen, Geneva Oaken Acres Stockholm's, Geneva Martha Gass Oakley, Woodchuck Susan Eisenhuth Mary Jo Meier Odalisque Beauty, Geneva Suzanne Campbell Mary Pat Brennan O'Reilly Auto Parts, Yorkville TGIFridays, Batavia

Mary Russell Paisanos Pizza, Elburn The Olive Mill, Geneva McAllisters Deli Papa Nicholas Coffee Co., Batavia Toby, Three Toed Box Turtle McGleam Studios, Geneva Paramount Theatres, Aurora Trader Joes, Batavia Michele Eonovan Peaceful Parlour, Geneva Trellis Farm and Garden, St. Charles Midwest Ground Cover, St. Charles Peanut, Fox USA, Aurora Mike and Denises Pizzeria, Aurora Planet Fitness, St. Charles Vlasta Renwick Millhurst Ale House, Yorkville Preservation, Geneva Volcano Falls, Loves Park Miss Minnie Fudge Randall 15 IMAX, Batavia Walmart Nancy Miles Reams Meat Market, Elburn Wasco Nursery, St. Charles

Neil Farber Rebecca Kuhr Winkie Smith Nick's Barbeque, Romeoville Red Lobster, Geneva Woof Beach, Batavia Noodles and Company, Geneva Rookies Yorkville Bowl, Yorkville Nothing Bundt Cakes School of Art, Geneva Zanies Comedy Club, St. Charles Scott Harbaugh Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge

We want to say for your support! FVWC hosts a Wild Baby Shower to welcome the wild babies who are brought to us every year. We want to thank every- one who helped, participated and brought “shower gifts” for the wild babies. It was a wonderful event! This year we held our first Spring Fling Dance on May 11. Thank you to Patty Mayo for organizing this fun-filled night. Watch for next year’s dance event - join us and learn some new dance moves. The day was perfect for this year’s Garage Sale held at the home of George and Cheryl Schreck. Everyone enjoyed perus- ing the treasures and snacking on Reams hot and popcorn while shopping. Thank you to our volunteers who helped organize this event and to the many people who donated items and shopped to help the wildlife. June 2 was our first Fox’s Fur Ball Pub Crawl. The day was beautiful! It was a fun event organized by events4acause.net. This was our 12th Annual Critter Classic Golf Outing at Settler’s Hill in Geneva. The golfers had a great time and helped to raise much needed funds for the wildlife babies in our care.

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MEMBERSHIPS NEW & RENEWED F V W C M E M B E R S H I P Help Us Give Them a Second Chance COTTONTAIL Lynn Quiroz Yes! I would like to donate to Fox Valley Wildlife Marya Sakowicz King Center at the membership level I circled below. Karen Warkentin

Sponsors receive a subscription to Tracks, our quarterly newsletter, a photo of the HERON animal at their membership level, and the thank-you gifts listed below. Sherrie Robotham

COTTONTAIL - $35 - $100 Track newsletter and Photo Tote Bag MALLARD

Jane Gondek RACCOON - $250 - $500 William Grabarek T-Shirt* Ball Cap

Trish Lauten FAWN - $750 GREAT BLUE HERON - $1000 Gretchen Ochsenschlager Sweatshirt* Hooded Sweatshirt* & Invite to Mary Russell 3 Summer Releases OTHER $ Patricia Watson Name RACCOON Address Carrie Heifner-Lach City State Zip Phone

IN MEMORY OF Email * Shirt size: S M L XL

Donald J Bruce (1960-2018, a lover of animals), Please make checks payable to Fox Valley Wildlife Center or pay online at fvwc.org. from Jim Mitchel, Anonymous loving donation, Please clip out form and return to: FVWC PO Box 385 Elburn IL 60119 Mary Jo Conley, Yvette Govea, Maureen Conley, Bon Ton Release Sites Needed Dawn Cermak, from Lloyd & Pat Cunningham, Release sites need to be appropriate for each species, but not

Jim & Ellen Johnston, overcrowded with others of the same species. Charlotte Ball, If you know of a potential release site, please email Janelle Garnsey, Rebecca Larson Andrea Krueger at [email protected] Ann Duszak, with the owner’s name, address, phone number, total acreage, and what from Dennis Duszak species they are willing to accept. Residential areas aren’t considered. Irvanne Ester, FVWC must have permission from the landowner to release rehabilitated from Monty Lutz, animals back into the wild on their land. Jane Orr Daisy Kreiger, We are especially in need of acreage with woods and water from Thomas Burmeister and a fondness for raccoons.

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