Fall 2023

122 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 the Monterey Herald in 1945 references the care of deer, pigeons, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, a pelican, gulls, squir- rels and a snake. Times have changed, but the need hasn’t. “We are the only full service wildlife rehab in Monterey County,” explains Brookhouser. “We help every animal on or above the ocean, or on land.” That turns out to be roughly 3,000 wild creatures every year, with quite the eclectic roster. “We get baby mammals, squir- rels and skunks. We get the injured and orphans. We get a lot of animals that were caught by cats or dogs. Winter storms blow in pelagic sea birds, and blow nests out of trees. I didn’t realize we had beavers in the Salinas River, but we rescued one,” says Brookhouser. Duits-Cavanaugh, a zoologist, has also had her share of pleasant surprises. “I love long tailed weasels so much. (Years ago) I had asked if we ever got wild weasels and that sum- mer we got four! We get them every couple of years. They’re usually young and caught by cats or they’re orphans.They’re cute, tiny and spunky. They can hunt animals the same size or bigger.” On the day Carmel Magazine spoke to theWildlife Center, more than 100 patients were in the staff ’s care. “From hawks and owls to skunks and raccoons, opossums and squirrels. We have crows and scrub jays, and those turkeys,” Duits-Cavanguh says. By law, not every type of animal is allowed to be taken in. “Permitting is restric- tive, but it helps. Members of the public can get emotionally charged because they want to help. It can be, ‘I am seeing a bear that was hit or is lost.’ And, people don’t want to hear you can’t help, but we are permitted through state and feder- al government.” The center can rehabilitate a fawn that still has its spots, but is not allowed to take in adult deer, bears, mountain lions, wild pigs or elk, which are handled by California state agencies. And then there are those spe- This opossum fell victim to a glue trap intended for a rat. With the help of the skilled technicians at the Wildlife Center and two soapy baths, this critter's fur and skin is finally free of the residue from the glue. A tiny nestling Anna's hummingbird received round-the-clock life-saving care from the dedicated staff at the center.