Fall/Winter 2011 - Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue

Follow up on the Little Desert Ghost
by Bill Howe
As mentioned in the last issue, CDWR had been made the guardian of a rare leucistic (partial albino) red fox
in early August and we were in the process of placing her with the Spring River Zoo in Roswell, New Mexico. The
red tape and documentation to do so was finally accomplished in early
October of 2011.
First we had to get the animal placed on my zoological permit
and then obtain an export permit from Texas Parks and Wildlife. This
was finally accomplished in late September. Then we ran into a Catch
22. New Mexico Game and Fish required a health certificate for the
animal before they would issue the import permit to the Roswell Zoo.
Texas Department of Health regulations prohibit any Texas veterinarian
from touching a fox. Mr. Larry Brunt and Dr. Bernie Paige with
El Paso Animal Services came to the rescue and offered to examine
the animal and provide the required document. Griselda Martinez of
the El Paso Zoo transported the fox to Animal Services for the physical.
Did I mention that TDH regulations state that only zoo personnel
or law enforcement can transport any quarantine animal in Texas?
Once that document was emailed to the Roswell Zoo the date of
October 19 was set for the transfer. Griselda came to my facility about 11:00 that morning and was quickly able to
get Luna on a leash in preparation for the trip. Shortly, Scott from Roswell showed up and the transfer was completed.
Once at the zoo, Luna was isolated and kept in quarantine for two weeks during which time she was spayed.
On November 2 the time arrived to introduce her to her cage mates, the resident pair of neutered regular male red
foxes. Everyone had their fingers crossed. Initially, Luna was placed in a small transport cage in the exhibit so the
animals could explore each other and see if there was any sign of aggression. After that, Luna was released into the
exhibit and the formal greetings began.
All went well and
Luna now has her forever
home and is happy to have
companions of her own
species.
CDWR would like
to thank these fine folks
who made all this possible:
Griselda Martinez of the El
Paso Zoo; Dr. Bernie Paige
and Mr. Larry Brunt of El
Paso Animal Services; Dr.
Ken Waldrup of the Texas
Department of Health;
Capt. Robert Newman,
Warden Ray Speares, Dr.
Cesar Mendez and Chris
Maldonado of Texas Parks
and Wildlife; New Mexico
Department of Game and
Fish; last but not least,
Luna with one of her new companions
Griselda, Luna and Scott just before
leaving for Roswell
Marge and Scott from the
Spring River Zoo.
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C D W R * El Paso / Las Cruces