As little as 10 years ago, Falcon was an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife, including raccoons, foxes, antelope and many birds. However, rapid growth has made it difficult for their survival, as the remaining wildlife struggle with the people, the cars and the demise of their habitat.But one group is determined to mitigate the problems created by the humans.Four years ago, Falcon resident Laurie Arnold read a newspaper article about a local wildlife rescue group, Wild Forever. Since then, she hasn’t been able to say “no” to sick, injured or abandoned birds.After meeting Linda Cope, one of the founders of Wild Forever, at a training session sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Arnold became a state-licensed bird rehabilitator. In 2005, she cared for more than 380 birds at her home. “I don’t really know how to control it,” Arnold said. “I say I just want to have 10 birds in my house, and then 10 turns into 30.”Individuals who find injured or abandoned birds or small mammals and call the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region or the DOW are referred to Wild Forever. “Wild Forever is the only organization in town that takes care of these animals,” Arnold said.The organization works with several area veterinarians, including High Country Veterinary Hospital and Black Forest Veterinary Clinic. They also call on animal emergency clinics on evenings and weekends. After the animals are seen by a veterinarian, they are transferred to either the volunteers’ homes or the Wild Forever Center at 1524 N. Hancock Ave. in Colorado Springs.The center is open seven days a week and staffed entirely by volunteers. “If we have birds down there, somebody has to be there at all times to feed them,” Arnold said. Small mammals, such as squirrels and rabbits, often require more intensive care. Baby squirrels must be fed every two hours. Volunteers work four-hour shifts once a week during the height of the season, which begins in April and gradually slows down in the early fall.”Baby squirrels start appearing in the end of February and then again in August and September,” said Arnold, who has a degree in wildlife biology and worked as a zookeeper at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “A lot of the small mammals need to be kept for four months until they’re ready to be released. We usually keep birds for just three to four weeks.”Arnold keeps many of the birds at her home in Falcon. The babies must be hand-fed, but even when they’re able to fly on their own they are still not able to find their own food. They also must practice flying in a safe place, so three years ago, Arnold and her husband built two flight cages under their decks where predators cannot reach the birds.”Our biggest need right now is for more flight cages,” Arnold said. The group is looking for volunteers who are willing to build cages underneath their decks.Volunteers are always needed to answer phones and staff the downtown center. A core of around 30 people currently volunteer with the group, but there are less than 10 licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the area.”A lot of the birds die, and you wonder is it worth it, am I really making a difference?” Arnold said. “But in the middle of winter, when the house is empty, then I start missing them. I start thinking, ‘Oh, I can’t wait for the babies to come back again!’ “To volunteer for Wild Forever or to find out more information about the state licensing procedure to become a rehabilitation specialist, call the center at 475-9453 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
