6/14/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
With a population of more than 1.1 million people and a geographical span of hundreds of miles of suburban and rural landscapes, San Antonio is home to wildlife not normally found in urban America.
Despite its urban core, the country's seventh largest city is home to coyotes, raccoons, deer and cougars.
Coexisting with wildlife in close proximity is the subject of a Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Library program, "Armadillos, Opossums, and Coyotes, OH MY," presented by Jessica Rice, volunteer and intern coordinator at Wildlife, Rescue and Rehabilitation, an organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native wildlife.
The special program takes place June 23 at 1 p.m. During her presentation, Rice also will have information on how to become a WRR volunteer.
"Since these animals live near us, it's important we know what to do when we encounter an opossum, skunk, or a raccoon on our property," said Rice. "There are non-lethal ways to repel them."
Rice will discuss how people can share their backyards with urban wildlife in a positive way.
"There are a lot of myths about native wildlife and my goal is to separate fiction from fact and help folks see how important these animals are to our local environment," Rice said.
The WRR-San Antonio drop-off facility, located at 137 Earl St., accepts injured and orphaned wildlife every day of the year.
"More than 7,000 native animals are brought to WRR every year," said executive director Bill Wilkinson. "The majority are rehabilitated and released, though we provide a permanent home for wolves, bears, cougars, primates, and non-indigenous birds and reptiles.
"We occasionally help out other areas of Texas and the U.S., too, if they have wild animals that need sanctuary," Wilkinson said.
The WRR offers opportunities for volunteers who want to learn how to care for the hundreds of wildlife species in south Texas who may be recovering from injuries and illnesses or rescued from being orphaned.
For more details, call 210-671-6606.