2011 summer.pub - Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue

Newsletter
El Paso / Las Cruces
Vol. 22, Summer THE EAGLE 2011
The Mysterious Little Desert Ghost
On August 5th I received a phone call from Griselda Martinez of the El Paso Zoo. She had been referred to me by
our dispatcher Helen Bigelow and had a little problem she hoped I could resolve for her.
Earlier this year an unknown party had picked up a tiny
white furball, emaciated and dehydrated, on the Anthony
Gap Road just north of El Paso, in southern New Mexico.
They dropped it off at El Paso Animal Services who identified
it as some kind of fox but nothing that they had ever
seen before. It was nearly completely white with only a
faint darker stripe down the back and some facial markings.
It appeared to be about 4 weeks of age. Now under
normal conditions any fox taken in by Animal Services
would be immediately destroyed, under Texas Department
of Health regulations. However, this little critter did not
look like any species found in this area. They called the
El Paso Zoo and Griselda responded.
Luna
She is frequently called upon to help Animal Services
identify unusual animals. She, too, was stumped. However,
thinking the zoo might have an interest in using the animal for education, she took possession of it and Animal
Services vaccinated and micro-chipped it before leaving the facility.
Griselda held the animal at her home for about 6 months and it was examined by numerous people, including Dr. Ken
Waldrup of the Texas Department of Health. Not a single person could come up with a reasonable explanation. It
was not a gray fox nor was it a swift (kit) fox. Red foxes were rare in the El Paso area. At any rate, the Zoo decided
they could not accept the animal and Griselda was in a bind. The animal was now a young adult and she did not have
the resources to construct a habitat at her home and had no permit from the state. The animal was quite attached to
her and would play in the yard with her dogs as well as a variety of toys. However, as the animal reached adulthood,
she knew it would have to be confined.
I agreed to take the fox and began preparing a pen for it. I, also, immediately emailed Capt. Robert Newman of
Texas Parks and Wildlife to get clearance. Even though I do have a Texas Parks and Wildlife Zoological Permit, I
have learned by experience that it is always best to obtain clearance first. The permits people down in Austin are
sticklers for proper protocol. Capt. Newman passed my email along to Game Warden Ray Spears, who called me that
afternoon. He and Capt. Newman both agreed that the best resolution to the situation was for me to take possession
of the animal and they had already emailed the permits people in Austin with their approval.
The following Tuesday Griselda brought Luna to her new home. What a spectacular and beautiful creature she was
but just what in the world was she? After Griselda left, I grabbed my camera and began snapping pictures. Then I
attached them to emails to all of our CDWR people. I also had Linda Hufford post the information on the Texas
Wildlife Rehab Group (YAHOO) and posted it on CDWR's FaceBook page. Results were (continued on page 2)
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces

Desert Ghost (cont. from front)
almost instantaneous in coming in. It was a fog, it was a dox, it was a foyote, a chupacabra! I did some research on
the Internet and there are no documented cases of dog/fox or coyote/fox hybrids. Scientists say those are genetic
impossibilities. It would be about as likely as a cat/rabbit hybrid – a cabbit.
The following 2-3 days were a marathon of emails, phone calls and Internet postings. Some suggested a Siberian
Fox, which are now bred for the pet trade. Others suggested an Arctic fox or an Arctic hybrid. Yet another thought
it was a mixed Siberian Husky. I examined numerous photos sent to me as well as a number of Internet images and,
although there were similarities, there was no match. Besides that, El Paso had no fur breeding facilities that I was
aware of from which such an animal might have escaped. Game Warden Spears decided to send the information on
to Dr. Cesar Mendez, director of the Franklin Mountains Wilderness State Park. Within a short time I received an
email from Dr. Mendez . He and his staff were certain that we had a leucistic red fox – a partial albino and genetic
rarity.
About the same time a new El Paso resident, Tena Smith, posted a note on our Facebook page about another rehab
group, the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, in Illinois, that had recently taken in a similar animal that they
felt was also a leucistic red fox.
Back to the Internet! I found their website and emailed them
the photos. Shortly I received a phone call from Dawn Keller
of the Flint Creek facility. She was beside herself with excitement.
Yes, their group had recently taken in a mysterious
young white fox that they had tentatively identified as a leucistic
red fox. It had been found under similar circumstances
as Luna and was about 4 weeks of age when received at their
facility. While still on the phone with her, she emailed photos
of the little guy, who was about half the age of Luna. The resemblance
between the two animals was striking. They both
Flint
Creek
had similar face markings and both had a faint dark stripe
facility
leucistic down the back and tail. Their animal, however, had no skin
fox pigment in either the ears or on the snout. Leucistic animals
can be quite variable in appearance depending upon the degree
of albinism. Dawn said that her center takes in numerous red
foxes every year and, after examining the profile shots of Luna, confirmed that she was certain that is what we had.
Both of us agreed that at 4 weeks of age the foxes would have a well developed fur coat. Mama probably looked at
the animal and thought, “Sumthun ain't right with that kid” and removed it from the den and abandoned it a distance
away. Such coloration would have made survival all but impossible in the wild. They would have been easy targets
of predators.
Foxes that young rarely leave the immediate vicinity of the den and quickly disappear into it if danger threatens.
These little fellows had no shelter close by. Flint Creek says that their animal will likely remain at their center as an
educational animal.
I must admit, during my numerous years with CDWR this has to be one of the most interesting and exciting animals
to come through my facility. Close behind is a Mexican Beaded Lizard, a venomous lizard closely related to the
Gila Monster, that was delivered last month by Animal Services. It had been captured near Marty Robbins Park in
far-east El Paso.
(continued on page 4)
Page 2
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces

EL PASO AREA
CDWR CHIEF DISPATCHER
915-772-6011
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Lorraine Snelling .............................................................. 592-9642
REHABILITATORS
Central/East
Bill Howe (turtles/snakes/lizards/small exotics) ................ 772-0695
Northeast -
Charles/Carrol Bella (raptors/reptiles/mammals) .............. 751-4711
Deacon Foote (turtles) ....................................................... 757-9330
West -
Carol Miller (birds, water birds) ...................................... 584-7088
Josie Karam (small mammals/birds/turtles) ....................... 920-7867
Sarah Forrestal (small mammals/birds) ............................. 588-6467
Geoff Wiseman (reptiles/snakes) ................................ 915-525-0261
COOPERATING VETERINARIANS
Central -
El Paso Veterinary Hospital, 4101 Montana ...................... 566-7387
Montana Animal Clinic, 1015 Chelsea .............................. 778-9588
El Paso Animal Emergency Center, 1220 Airway ............. 545-1148
East -
Johnsen Animal Hospital, 1851 N. Lee Trevino ................ 592-6200
Desert East Animal Hospital, 11635 Pelicano ................... 855-4100
Americas Animal Clinic, 630 Americas Ave. ................... 858-1971
Animal Clinic, 7184 Alameda ........................................... 778-5355
Northeast -
Northeast Veterinary Clinic, 9405 Dyer ............................ 755-2231
Harwood Veterinary Clinic, 4404-A Edgar Park ............... 755-5653
West -
Crossroads Animal Hospital, 4910 Crossroads ................. 584-3459
Country Club Animal Clinic, 5470 Doniphan ................... 833-0645
Anthony Animal Clinic, 901 Franklin, Anthony TX ......... 886-4558
TRANSPORTERS/TROUBLESHOOTERS
Northeast -
Joe/Inga Groff .................................................................... 755-2957
Nancy Bain ........................................................................ 822-9228
West -
Susie Jensen ....................................................................... 877-4036
Jane Poss ................................................ (h) 587-8831, (c) 390-8052
East -
Linn Anderson ................................................................... 859-5413
* CDWR DIRECTORY *
www.whc.net/cdwr
Call these folks in the El Paso/Las Cruces area when you find an injured/orphaned wild bird/animal:
LAS CRUCES AREA
REHABILITATORS
Tracie Buffington (tortoises)………………………...575-644-9297
Sharon Culver (rabbits)……………………………..575-373-9802
SILVER CITY
Margaret Cejka (birds, excluding raptors) ............... 575-537-6624
COOPERATING VETERINARIANS
Jornada Vet Clinic, 2399 Saturn Circle.................... 575-382-1710
East Lohman Vet. Clinic, 1700 E. Lohman ............. 575-523-5654
TRANSPORTERS/TROUBLESHOOTERS
Abe Mendoza ........................................................... 575-382-1732
Jack Diven Family .................................................. 575-642-3603
Great-horned
owl wildlife
ambassador at
South Plains
Wildlife
Rehabilitation
Center
The Chihuahuan Desert By-Laws vote
has been completed and the by-laws have
been approved. Thank you all for your
response.
Our list is getting shorter! We need
help! Please call and volunteer!
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces Page 3

Board of Officers
President: Susie Jensen
Vice Pres.: Marcia Fulton
Secretary: Inga Groff
Treasurer: Sheila Morrison
Board of Directors
Diane Fox
Dr. William Snyder
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Newsletter Editor
Susie Jensen
The Purpose of CDWR
Wildlife rehabilitation is the
care of injured or orphaned
wildlife for return, where possible,
to the wild. Successful
rehabilitation takes a lot of
time, a lot of effort and no
small amount of money.
It is challenging work, done
by special people. Chihuahuan
Desert Wildlife Rescue
is a nonprofit organization
which exists to help the rehabilitators
in the El Paso/Las
Cruces area. Our purposes are
to:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
* CDWR *
El Paso / Las Cruces
provide a volunteer network
to assist active rehabilitators
in their work
support wildlife rehabilitation
programs financially
provide education and instruction
in wildlife rehabilitation
educate the public about
wildlife conservation
problems
work for the reduction of
pressures on native wildlife
from domestic animals
and humans
Desert Ghost (cont. from page 2)
These lizards are found
naturally from southern
Sonora through much
of Guatemala and can
grow to 40 inches or so.
Never a dull moment in
El Paso! It will be
great if we get our own
facility soon so some of
these really rare and
interesting animals can
be exhibited for the public.
Mexican Beaded Lizard
Spring Love Update
- Bill Howe
P.S. CDWR is working to place Luna in a zoological facility somewhere in the
region. Several zoos have turned her down for lack of resources. However, the
Spring River Zoo in Roswell has offered to provide her with a forever home
where she will have two companions of her own species. They will even come to
El Paso to pick her up. We are just waiting for written approval for the transfer
from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Roswell has already received approval from New
Mexico Game and Fish to import the animal.
The cholla bloomed sunrise pink blossoms which attracted the hummers,
but deep in the cholla was a well concealed nest containing two baby Curved Bill
Thrashers. Mom and Dad were perpetually busy feeding them alternating their
coming and going and nest sitting. Then two little heads peeked up and the day
arrived when they hopped out. I don't know how they survived the cholla thorns,
but they seem to very well even when they miss the branch they intend to hop to
and fell down to the next one. Watching them flex their wings and experimenting
their abilities was a delight. Even when they fledged Mom and Dad continued to
feed them and they didn't venture to far from the protection of the cholla.
But then the day came when Mom and Dad said "enough is enough".
"You are on your own now". The little ones would chase a parent down the top
fence rail with its mouth wide open and Mom or Dad would just ignore their pleas
and run away. This only lasted a day or two and the little ones started to eat on
their own.
The cholla is still a nesting spot at night with the Thrashers returning at
sundown and are gone at dawn. Hopefully there will be another family raised in
my cholla next year..... It has been wonderful to watch.
- Nancy Bain
Page 4
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces

Las Cruces News
Geri Tillett - I know many of you have noticed that Geri
Tillett’s name is no longer on our directory list and this is
do to her retirement at the beginning of the year. Geri has
been an icon with CDWR for over 20 years and she will be
sorely missed (has been all year!). We wish her the very
best and want to express our utmost appreciation for everything
she has done for CDWR and the wildlife over the
years. Geri is shown here with the solar bird bath we presented
to her for our gratitude. We love you, Geri!
Pilar Hinde - Due to a change in her circumstances, Pilar
will no longer be rehabilitating. Pilar has been a wonderful
asset to CDWR for these past 13 years. As the only permitted
raptor rehabilitator in Las Cruces, she too will be
sorely missed. We wish you only the best, Pilar. Godspeed
on your journey.
Geri Tillett
Tracie Buffington and Sharon Culver are still rehabilitating
tortoises and rabbits. Thank you ladies.
For all wildlife emergencies in the Dona Ana County area please call New Mexico
Department of Game & Fish at 575-532-2100 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to
5p.m., 2715 Northrise Drive, Las Cruces, NM.
Josie Karam to Retire
As I approach my retirement as a full time rehabilitator, I experience mixed emotions. The last eleven years of
dedicating six months out of every year to 16 hour days has served to both exhilarate and exhaust, fulfill and frustrate,
gladden and sadden, all the while becoming involved with a purpose outside myself that also served to force a great
deal of self-reflection. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you've never worked with wildlife.
My volunteers over the last six years have kept my west side home rehabilitation facility operating. Without
them, it would have closed far sooner. Intakes are numbering annually between 900 and 1000, far too many for one
person to handle. We owe these volunteers our utmost gratitude for their dedication.
Hopefully, El Paso will acquire a central facility that can serve the county and take the burden off the individuals
who have, for so long, sacrificed so much. The price has been high and we have lost many good rehabilitators to
illness, injury and burn-out. It's time for the community to take responsibility for taking care of its precious animals.
- Josie Karam
Wildlife Rehabilitator
TX Parks & Wildlife; U.S. Fish & Wildlife
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces Page 5

City to Consider Land for Wildlife Rescue Center
By Diana Washington Valdez \ EL PASO TIMES Posted: 06/29/2011
Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue is looking for a place where orphaned or injured animals -- from lions to turtles
and birds, too -- can be cared for before they are released into the wild. Members of the organization went before the
El Paso City Council Tuesday to ask the city to consider donating five acres of land for a wildlife rescue center.
El Paso has only two certified rehabilitators who can receive, rescue and care for wildlife at their homes, and one of
them is retiring soon. Wildlife rehabilitator Josie Karam and Marcia Fulton (former long time rehabilitator) said they
looked after nearly 2,800 animals last year, and expect that number to grow exponentially. Karam said the lack of water
stemming from drought and a lack of food are driving more animals into the city.
"Wildlife rescue is like an ER (emergency room) for animals," said Karam, one of two licensed rehabilitators in the
region. "We're seeing a lot of dehydration cases right now. We raise baby animals and release them back into the wild.
We operate from our homes, and people knock on our doors all the time." Karam, who took in 970 animals in 2010,
said she is retiring this year.
"Where will 1,000 wild animals go, and what will happen to the more than 500 calls I receive," she said. "I spent
$80,000 out of my pocket and worked 16-hour days out of my home. It takes a toll. We've had to euthanize some animals;
that takes an emotional toll." The list of wildlife that rescue volunteers have cared for includes skunks, rabbits,
porcupines, raccoons, squirrels, falcons, bald eagles, owls, turtles, mule deer, bobcats, badgers, geckos, horned lizards
and snakes.
Fulton, who served as a wildlife rehabilitator for 28 years, said Karam and the other licensed rehabilitator in El Paso
are the only ones within a 300-mile radius. "Last year, our dispatchers received 2,748 rescue calls. This is the number
of animals actually taken in for rehabilitation," said Fulton. "This year so far, we have received 1,225 calls through
our dispatchers."
The city's Animal Services Department, which handles mainly domestic animals like cats and dogs, is not equipped or
trained to handle the kind of wildlife that is going to inundate the region, the rehabilitators said. City Rep. Carl Robinson
said he would like the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to play a lead role in the issue because wildlife falls
under its jurisdiction. "The state of Texas has a lot of land within the parks themselves," Robinson said. "The Public
Service Board gave a chunk of land to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department." Fulton said Chihuahuan Desert
Wildlife Rescue is exploring its options, but some land is not suitable for the proposed rescue center because it is not
close to electric, water and sewage utilities.
"We will build the facilities for the wildlife rescue center, and we will maintain and staff them," said Fulton, vice
president of Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue. "We don't need the kind of land that developers want. It can even be
an arroyo, which would be ideal for the wildlife. It can be raw land. Also, it's the city that's going to be impacted by
the wildlife, which is why we came to the city with this request. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is not going
to be affected at all."
Last month (May 2011), a mountain lion showed up on Yandell Drive and ran through the St. Clement's Parish School
grounds and the H&H Car Cash before police fatally shot it after efforts to tranquilize it failed. Police Chief Greg Allen
said Tuesday it was unfortunate that "we did lose a magnificent creature." The incident was well under way for
two hours before police arrived on the scene, he said. Many police resources that day were involved in security for
President Barack Obama's May 10 visit to El Paso. The incident served to alert the public that more encounters with
wild animals could take place in the future, Fulton said.
Page 6
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces
(continued on page 7)

Center (continued from page 6)
Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue was established in 1989. "It's done such a good job over the years that the city has
never had to deal with the wildlife before, but it's going to have to because Animal Services can't do it," Fulton said.
Although El Paso lies within a highly urbanized county, it is adjacent to the Franklin Mountains State Park area. Wild
animals are known to roam down to drink water from swimming pools and from the Rio Grande. El Paso Mayor John
Cook recommended that City Manager Joyce Wilson meet with Fulton to review potential options. The city cannot
donate land or sell it below market value, but may be able to lease property for the purpose of wildlife rescue.
Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.
Working to Establish the Chihuahuan Desert
Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation Center
Do to the many changes occurring within our wildlife rehabilitation community, CDWR has begun in earnest our
efforts to establish a rehabilitation center in El Paso. This will not alleviate the problems being faced in Las Cruces
but hopefully it will be such a positive endeavor it will open the possibility of a center in Las Cruces.
Marcia Fulton and I traveled to Lubbock, Texas, August 18th
and 19th to visit the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
(SPWRC). Director Carol Lee was a gracious host and we got
some wonderful ideas.
One of the things we found very exciting was the stone amphitheater
where they hold their educational programs. Education
is one of CDWR’s key purposes and what an opportunity to
build something like this for our community! I see school children
arriving for wildlife programs on a field trip, a junior volunteer
program, cooperating with veterinarian and biology students
from UTEP; the possibilities are endless.
Stone Amphitheater
We will be meeting with City Manager Joyce Wilson about
available properties for this purpose in September (see page 6). The minimum amount of property we feel is necessary
is two acres. It will need to be fenced. Optimally this land will have at least two buildings on it: one for use as
housing for the Operations Manager and one as a hospital/intake facility. If the property doesn’t have buildings we
will be needing donations of trailers for this purpose.
Raptor Facility at SPWRC
We are on a time restraint and would like to see the center up and running
by March of 2012. CDWR will be needing as much help as possible
for this huge undertaking so please let me know if you have any ideas
that could help. We will be needing financial support, building supplies,
volunteers to help with the physical labor; to name a few.
Remember that CDWR is a non-profit organization and all donations are
tax deductible. We also qualify as a community service organization.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or just want
to brainstorm: 915-877-4036; email - jenmess@juno.com.
- Susie Jensen, President
C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces Page 7

Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
P.O. Box 12583, El Paso, Texas 79913
I would like to become a member of
CDWR and help our area’s wildlife.
Join us now and help make a
difference for wildlife!
$25.00______
$75.00______
$50.00______
Amt:_______
Thank you for your support. Your contribution is a
wonderful opportunity to help orphaned and injured
wildlife and to support the efforts of the CDWR volunteer
rehabilitators. With membership you will receive a
yearly subscription (3 issues) of the newsletter.
Name: ___________________________________
Address: _________________________________
City:_____________ State:______ Zip:_______
Phone:_______________ Email:_____________
CDWR is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
and all donations are tax deductible.
P.O. Box 12583
El Paso, TEXAS 79913
www.whc.net/cdwr
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
CANUTILLO, TX
PERMIT NO. 001
WANTED!
Burrowing Owl Conservation
Have you seen any burrowing
owls in El Paso County?
Texas Parks and Wildlife is conducting
a long-term research project starting
Sept. 2011 to examine the survival
of adult and juvenile burrowing
owls, determine their residency status,
site fidelity, and compare breeding
success of burrowing owls between
natural and artificial burrows.
Please report all owl
sightings and locations
to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban
Wildlife Biologist at
915-774-9603 or
lois.balin@tpwd.state.tx.us