Being a Wildlife Care Provider at Wildhaven Ranch

Bayley Bear

Looking out my back door in the past five months, I've seen more than ravens and songbirds.  Since I began my training as a Wildlife Care Provider at Wildhaven Ranch in the San Bernardino Mountains, I have cared for mule deer, black bears, bobcat, and birds of prey--and what an amazing experience it has been.  The animals here cannot be released into the wild for various reasons and so, here at Wildhaven, we strive to make their lives as stimulating and satisfying as possible.

Created in 1994 and operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, Wildhaven is a not-for-profit organization consisting of a wildlife sanctuary for endangered and indigenous wild animals, as well as an education and visitation center--all staffed by well-trained, dedicated volunteers. 

Being that I have had past experience working with horses, the Executive Director felt confident that I could train as WCP for the deer and assist the bearhandlers with Bayley.  After attending an orientation class, I went through an extensive training period of shadowing an experienced volunteer, then being observed, and finally being approved to work on my own--though not in all cases.  I still work with others when it comes to the bears.

As a Wildlife Care Provider, besides feeding the animals and cleaning their exhibits, I get to try out different enrichment ideas that provide stimulation and a change of pace.  For example, Bayley, my favorite black bear (please don't tell the other three!) loves water play.  I fill her tub through the chain link fence being careful not to let her get the hose itself.  Sometimes she bats at the spray of water as it fills the tub or sticks her face in its path.  Sometimes she lets me fill it up completely before she settles down into the nice cool, refreshing bath.  Of course there are the days that she flips the whole thing and runs off in glee! 

                            

Last week we added a nice big piece of watermelon to her usual meal.  Unlike the other bears who ate theirs first, she set hers aside.  I wondered why until, after finishing her meal, she picked up the watermelon in her mouth, climbed the ramp up to her platform in the trees, and settled down to enjoy it--for dessert!

Bayley and her watermelon

Our precious mule deer buck named Buckwheat is a favorite at Wildhaven.  Having been neutered (long before he came to us), he cannot grow full antlers each season.  Instead he has one lovely velvet antler that makes him look like a lop-sided unicorn! We were worried about his weight this winter, but after talking with mule deer keepers at local zoos, as well as with veterinarians , we learned that bucks often lose weight in the winter (after rutting season) and gain it back in the spring.  To fatten him up everyone scoured the mountainside for an endless supply of acorns, and when that ran dry, we brought in peanuts per our vet's recommendation.  Buckwheat was most appreciative--and he has filled out beautifully.

Buckwheat

                                       

Wolfie

One of my proudest attempts at enrichment involved creating a nest for our red-tailed hawk Wolfie, named after Mozart.  I began with a wreath frame, then gathered and attached a few plants and weeds.                      

                            

 We placed this in one of Wolfie's perching areas.  After looking at it from afar, he finally hopped onto the nest and examined it thoroughly.  He seemed to approve, but the real test followed.

 On the ground I scattered evergreen sprigs, pine needles, strips of soft cloth, and small twigs--so Wolfie could add to his new nest himself.  Over the next few days, I checked the nest and to my delight, there were a few twigs and strips of cloth placed in the nest!  In addition, the scattered items had been rearranged on the ground to suit Wolfie.  Clearly he had been busy.

How lucky I am be able to experience this unique interaction with wildlife.  Little did I know when I moved to Lake Arrowhead how amazingly my life would be enriched.