Wildlife impacted by the fires in nearby Los Angeles County are coming to local care centers as response teams in the fire-torn communities are overwhelmed with animals in critical need of help.
“Tragically, many wildlife are impacted by wildfires and lose their lives. But for those that can be rescued, our staff is trained and ready to triage and treat burn and smoke inhalant victims,” Debbie McGuire, executive director of the Huntington Beach-based Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center, said in a statement.
Several licensed wildlife rehabilitators are working together to help, with the Pasadena Humane leading the triage effort, admitting injured wildlife from the Eaton Fire area.
The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center is helping them manage their patient load by receiving patients, the first transports arriving Thursday, Jan. 9, McGuire said.
Two male peafowl, one adult opossum and one juvenile opossum were brought to the center. A baby raccoon died in transport.
“The stress of losing its mother and the stress of the fire was too much for the baby,” the care center said in an announcement about the joint efforts.
“We are stocking up on the supplies required for emergency treatment” said Teal Helms, wildlife care manager at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center.
The team of staff and volunteers are working around the clock to help the humans and animals in the community fleeing the flames, Lauren Hamlett, director of Wildlife and Education and Services with Pasadena Humane, said in a statement.
“We have a team of certified wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians to triage and treat any distressed wildlife,” she said.
“The diverse species that reside in Southern California are vulnerable to wildfires. Each species has specific needs and has different treatment plans to follow. Wound and pain management strategies are in place,” the animal care officials said.
Asking for community support, the care teams said needed are more mandaging supplies, antibiotics, IV solutions, pain medication and wound management supplies like fish skin to help with skin grafts, costly but necessary to help the animals in need at both the Pasadena Humane and the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center.
To help, go to pasadenahumane.org or wwccoc.org