Wildlife Rescue
The Texas State Aqurium Wildlife Rescue
The Texas State Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue facility assists in the rescue of various local wildlife species in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Each year the Wildlife Rescue rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hundreds of animals in the coastal bend area of Texas. They will also find permanent homes for animals unable to be released after rehab. Animals that the aquarium helps include various marine life and local birds.
Sunbathing
An adult Laughing Gull, previously rescued by the Wildlife Rescue, sunbathes in one of the outdoor holding areas in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. One of the many types of animals the Rescue works to help are the many different species of shorebirds that reside along the coast. These include the various species of gulls, waterfowl, pelicans, herring, etc. These birds will come in for any number of reasons including sickness and injury both natural and human related.
Taking Flight
A Crested Cara Cara sits on one of its perches before taking flight in one of the Rescue’s flight cages in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Crested Cara Caras and other raptors are one of the types of birds that will be rescued at the facility. Other birds of prey that will be assisted are eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. Before any of the birds can be approved for releasing they must first demonstrate that they are strong enough to fly and hunt without assistance.
Lettuce Pray
This new Green Sea Turtle is about to dine on its evening meal of various vegetables, fish, and miscellaneous vitamins in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Sea turtles are an abundant resident of the coastal bend. They use the local area as nesting grounds and nurseries. The Wildlife Rescue will aid in the efforts to help all local species of sea turtles including the Kemps Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, etc. Turtles are a common victim of human effects on the environment. In the winters, many face the possibilities of cold-stunning from dramatic changes in temperature.
Caretaker
Kara Klaustermeier, an intern with the aquarium, holds a young Eastern Screech Owl before being examined by staff in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. She hopes to use her experience at the aquarium as she pursues a career in sea turtle rehabilitation. She is still deciding where to take this passion but has thought about taking it to Florida. One of her favorite aspects to the job is the releases. Kara loves getting to see the animals return home. In regard to her favorite animal to help she said, “probably the brown pelicans. The white are too crazy. But they’re cooler because their bigger, but their crazy.”
Doctor's Appointment
Alex Little, Senior Wildlife Care Specialist, examines a young Eastern Screech Owl in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. She began her career as a volunteer at the aquarium and eventually got the opportunity to become a part of the staff. She loves getting the opportunity to be a part of an animal’s rescue and recovery. Alex loves getting to see that animal released once it had recovered from whatever ailment it was facing. One of her favorite moments was when she was able to help save a Barn Owl that eventually made a full recovery and getting to release it later on. One of the most challenging aspects for her is not being able to help some of the animals that come through the door. When giving advice for this career she stated, “Just get as much experience as you can. You just have to get your foot in the door.”
Dishes Time
Andre Nguyen, an intern, is in the middle of cleaning a number of dishes from the animals’ meals in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. He started volunteering in March of 2018 and wanted to intern so that he could further his knowledge. He hopes to use this knowledge in hopes of getting into vet school. He likes getting to interact and see the animals recover, and then releasing them once they are better. One of his favorite experiences was getting to help raise three baby Barn Owls. “I got to see all three of them grow up and got the chance to personally release one of them,” said Nguyen.
Foster Parents
Volunteer Kara Klaustermeier is in the middle of hand feeding this baby owl its second meal of the day in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Baby birds such as this owl might make their way to the Rescue center for any number of reasons. This one was abandoned by its home nest. After trying to return it to its nest unsuccessfully it was brought to the Wildlife Rescue to be taken care of until its big enough to be returned to the wild. The Rescue has done this with a number of other animals including a couple of baby sea turtles that were recently returned back to the ocean once they had gotten big enough.
Donating Time
Wanda El Carter, a volunteer holds a Harris Hawk while staff provide the animal with fluids in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Wanda has been volunteering with the Rescue for the last four months but will have been volunteering with the aquarium for a year in May of 2019. She loves being able to help the animals. She loves getting to help them, and learn about them, and learn about what it takes to take care of them. She also enjoys working with the team as a whole. One of her favorite animals to help are the owls. She volunteers because she wants to help the environment. “Part of the reason I chose the aquarium is because I’m a firm believer of taking care of our oceans,” she said.
Baby Hoo
A young owl is sunbathing in the outdoor weathering yard of the facility in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. The Rescue center encounters owls for any number of reasons from injuries, sickness, to even abandonment from their home nests at young ages. If the animal is capable of being nursed back to full health, they will be released. Other times these animals would not survive if sent back to the wild, so the aquarium will find them a new permanent home at various zoos or aquariums so that they may become animal ambassadors for their species.
The Scavenger
This Black Vulture is working on its evening meal of the day in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Vultures and other types of scavengers are especially prone to injury from road side accents because of their various meals they scavenge along the roads. The Wildlife Rescue receives a number of these animals having suffered from being hit by vehicles because of this proximity to traffic. These injuries might include damage to their wings or other major regions of the body.
On Lookout
This Harlans Red Tailed Hawk relaxes mid afternoon in one of the facilities many mews in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 15, 2019. Birds like this hawk typically go through three stages of recovery once being rescued. They will usually spend the first bit of time within the kennel room in which they are monitored more closely. Once they do well enough there they will make their way into one of the outdoor mews and further strengthen themselves. Finally, they will spend time within one of the available flight cages. In that time they will be conditioned in order to strengthen their ability to fly. Once cleared they’ll be taken to local wildlife area to be released.