Owl 7987 SBWR 210521.jpg — Rescue Me! South Bay Wildlife Rehabilitation Caring for Creatures Great and Small

By Photographer & Contributor Steve Tabor

A little more than fifty years ago, Ann Lynch’s friend found a fledgling scrub jay during a visit to Griffith Park. Knowing Lynch taught science at Margate Intermediate School, he thought she would have the knowledge and abilities to rehabilitate this delicate creature back to good health and returned to its natural environment. However, Ann had no experience to draw on to care for a songbird, but not backing down from the challenge, she provided constant care and searched a variety of sources for information and resources to help her with the task. In a few months, after “Bird” lived in her classroom (much to the delight of her students), the songbird was mature enough to be returned it to nature. Little did Lynch realize that this was the simple beginnings of the South Bay Wildlife Rehab (SBWR).

Using parts of her home as a rehabilitation clinic, Lynch became a source of care for a variety of sick or wounded creatures. Over time Lynch consulted with a game warden from the California Department of Fish and Game who issued authorizations to Lynch for treating marine birds such as pelicans and sea gulls as well as snakes, birds of prey and a variety of other creatures.

Lynch recalls that while on her commute home from school, she encountered a wounded pelican. Dressed for work, she nonetheless, embarked on capturing the billed creature by straddling it from behind as she gained control of its bill so it could receive treatment.

For many years, Lynch’s wildlife rehabilitation activities were conducted solo. As the number of birds needing treatment grew, she converted parts of her home to serve as treatment and shelter areas for these animals. As the population continued to expand, Lynch built structures in her backyard. Lynch also became member of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators (CCWR), professional organizations that provide education and other resources for wildlife rehabilitators. For a time, Lynch served as an instructor for the organizations.

In 1993, Lynch officially established the SBWR as a non-profit organization certified by the California Department of Fish and Game to perform wildlife rehabilitation services. Lynch assumed the role as Director and Christina Jones serves as the Assistant Director. Together they handle intakes and primary care for the adult songbirds, such as mockingbirds and finches, and now specialize in birds of prey, like owls and falcons.

Other volunteers provide specialized care, such as Dr. Teresa Micco, a DVM at Pt. Vincente Animal Hospital, who provides care for hummingbirds. Amy Spencer and Chumi Paul care for the bats needing care. Other volunteers assist with a variety of task from cleaning cages, feeding creatures, and other related activities.

SBWR services ailing and injured birds and bats throughout Los Angeles County, Central Orange County, and parts of Riverside County. During their peak points, they receive between 15 and 20 calls per day and average treating 1,000 birds and bats per year. Their single year record for the number of animals treated is 1,500 birds and bats.

Prior to receiving an animal, SBWR will conduct an interview to determine if SBWR is able to assist the creature. When SBWR receives an animal, they carefully note the location where it was found so when the creature returns to full health it can be released in the same area it was originally found. In some cases, the injuries are so debilitating that the creature cannot be successfully returned to nature. In those circumstances, the animal may become part of the SBWR educational program or SBWR locates a facility that can adopt the animal.

One would expect an organization serving approximately 1,000 birds a year to have a large, centralized location, but instead Lynch, Jones, Micco, Spencer, and Paul have established care centers at their own homes. But, returning the larger birds of prey and some bats back to their natural habitat, requires retraining and a larger facility that cannot be constructed on a residential property.

Following a SBWR presentation at a local Audubon Society gathering, two interested audience members approached Lynch about donating the use of a large parcel of land to SBWR to serve as a rehabilitation location for birds of prey, now commonly referred to as the “Ranch”. The Ranch is divided into two sections, SBWR constructed a multi-use facility housing a central care area and shelters, known as mews, for birds of prey. Each mew can contain several birds, but the mews are large enough to allow the birds to comfortably fly short distances as they “regain their wings”. Once a bird has progressed to a point where it can fly, it is taken to one of five larger structures referred to as “flights”. The flights are enclosed canopy structures constructed by draping netting over a frame formed by several posts. The flights are large enough to include the trees and other natural features as well as provide the birds a large enough area to freely fly about. While in the flights, the birds learn or relearn their hunting skills that are a matter of life or death when they are returned to nature. The birds and bats are released back to their natural environment as soon as they fully regain the ability to fly and hunt for prey.

Working on a smaller scale, Micco, a Southern California native, is SBWR’s hummingbird rehabilitator. She has been working with these tiny creatures since she was 18 years old. This inspired her to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) for 25 years before advancing onto Veterinary School at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completing her final year at Louisiana State University SVM. When she returned to Southern California, she maintained her interested in hummingbirds, but it was not until Jean Roper, the former hummingbird rehabilitator, retired from SBWR that she returned to caring for hummingbirds.

Most of the hummingbirds she cares for have fallen from their nest. For these birds, she will assume the role of their mother and feed them through a small tube attached to a syringe until they are old enough to fly. Once they can fly, they are transferred to a series of cages housed on Micco’s patio where they feed on nectar, a protein enriched formula and fruit flies found on a piece of rotting fruit at the bottom of the cage until they have reached at point where they can be released to nature.

Other hummingbirds come to Micco because of injuries or malnutrition. Micco recounts that one low flying hummingbird was swatted out of the air by a cat. The cat’s claws caused a laceration on its throat just missing its esophagus. Opening the esophagus would have proved fatal, but fortunately, Micco was able to perform surgery closing the opening and allowing the hummingbird to make a full recovery.

Other birds are not as lucky and must be euthanized. Micco points outs, “Hummingbirds have a delicate anatomic structure. It is close to impossible to successfully repair injuries to their wings and beaks. For hummingbirds, flying and using their beaks for eating are critical to maintaining their quality of life. It is never an easy thing to euthanize a hummingbird, but allowing them to linger with their injuries would mean leaving these tiny creatures with a great amount of suffering and a very poor quality of life.”

Lynch states, “SBWR solely exists on donations. We love our work with these creatures, but many people do not understand how costly it is to treat and care for them. We are extremely fortunate to have volunteers. We also have several veterinarians and clinics, including Harbor Animal Hospital and Pt. Vincente Animal Hospital, who donate their time and services to assist us with treating sick or injured birds. So, individuals bringing a sick or injured bird should not be surprised when we ask if they would be willing to contribute to their care.”

Besides establishing relationships with local veterinarians, Lynch has found a great support from Roberta and Bob Shanman, owners of the “Wild Birds Unlimited” shop in Redondo Beach. The Shanmans created a SBWR donation program through their shop utilizing the shop’s bird feeder cleaning service. For a small fee, the Shanmans professionally clean bird feeders and donate all of the proceeds directly to SBWR.

SBWR’s public fundraising events are mostly the educational programs for local schools, community events, and private gatherings. Lynch estimates that SBWR has reached an audience of over 30,000 children and adults each year. Lynch and her volunteers include live non-releasable birds of prey and bats in each of their presentations along with informational displays. Unfortunately, the program and funding source has been suspended due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Lynch hopes that the program will soon resume, not only because of it is an important source of funding for SBWR, but because the presentations allow the audience to have an opportunity to learn more about these birds and bats and experience them close up.

Lynch reminds Amazon shoppers, “SBWR is an AmazonSmile participant. For each shopper registering with AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of their eligible purchases directly donated to SBWR.” In addition, shoppers at any Ralphs or Krogers market can donate funds to SBWR through their Rewards programs.

Those needing SBWR’s assistance with injured or ailing birds or bats, wishing to volunteer, or wanting to donate to SBWR should contact SBWR at SBWildlifeRehab@aol.com or by telephone at (310) 378-9921.

Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.