WILDLIFE CENTER IS AN ASSET TO VIRGINIA

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 18, 1993                   TAG: 9304150203
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Patricia Held
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
WILDLIFE CENTER IS AN ASSET TO VIRGINIA
The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Weyers Cave opened its doors in 1982. Over the years, this organization has not only cared for more than 11,000 wild animals in distress, but has also conducted ecological research, provided intern opportunities for 90 veterinary students and brought educational programs to children throughout Virginia.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is the only professionally staffed wildlife veterinary hospital in the Mid-Atlantic, says Faye Cooper, the center's director of environmental education.
With its hospital facilities, full-time veterinarian, interns, vet technicians and animal caretakers, this facility is truly unusual and an asset to Virginia. As stated in their annual report, "we use the unique experience of a wildlife hospital to influence the actions of individuals and institutions."
While one of its purposes is to provide help for wild animals in distress, the center is not limited to the care of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Its overriding purpose, explained in one of its brochures, is to change human values and behaviors that cause animals to be harmed in the first place. And the most effective way is through education. "The whole purpose is to build awareness," says Cooper. "We try to teach people that all wildlife benefits us in some way."
Cooper described a recent incident when the center received some feedback from a youngster. He used to enjoy target shooting, hitting anything that went by. But, he said that after looking into the eyes of a real live owl that the center had brought to his school, he just couldn't do it again.
"Our programs permit people to discover wildlife in a unique way," explains Cooper. Schools and groups may schedule programs, including assemblies, classroom programs and teacher workshops. Last year the center conducted over 400 programs.
Programs convey messages about birds of prey, owls, endangered species, recycling, natural habitats and more. Usually they involve the use of live animals; those that are kept at the center and cannot be released back into the wild due to some permanent injury.
Last year the center cared for more than 2,300 distressed animals, including birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Each year large numbers of orphaned and injured wildlife are brought to the center, cared for free of charge and then returned to the wild. Most of the patients have problems caused directly or indirectly by people. Motor vehicle collisions, pesticide poisoning, gunshot wounds and pet attacks are some of the causes for wildlife injuries.
The center is supported through privately raised funds. Since opening, the hospital has operated out of trailers and is desperately in need of more space. They are now in the process of building a new facility.
Located on land bordering the George Washington National Forest, the new hospital will have 4,800 square feet and provide adequate room to continue and expand in their care of wildlife, research and education.

Patricia Held is a Bedford County free-lance writer and author specializing in natural history.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB