OILED ANIMAL COUNT
This table shows the number of reptiles and amphibians that are or have been under the care of Binder Park Zoo veterinarian Dr. Chris Tabaka and his team of volunteers at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Marshall. Volunteers working with Dr. Tabaka include staff from Binder Park Zoo, Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo, Potter Park Zoo, Detroit Zoo, and countless other individuals.
Live(in care)
Dead
Released
Total
Snapping Turtle
19
0
163
182
Common Musk Turtle
10
0
30
40
Common Map Turtle
285
19
930
1234
Painted Turtle
16
1
138
155
Spiny Softshell
8
0
110
118
Spotted Turtle
0
0
1
1
Green Frog
3
0
36
39
Northern Water Snake
0
1
6
7
Eastern Garter Snake
0
0
5
5
American Toad
1
0
1
2
Leopard Frog
0
0
1
1
Eastern Box Turtle
1
0
2
3
Blandings Turtle
8
0
0
8
Total
351
21
1423
1795
Updated September 29, 2010
FIRST REHABILITATED WILDLIFE RELEASED AT BINDER PARK ZOO
Soft shell turtle photo courtesy Chris Tabaka, DVM
Two rehabilitated soft-shell turtles were released Monday, August 2nd, into their new home at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, MI. Binder Park Zoo is located on 433 acres of natural habitat several miles up stream from the oil spill and has not been affected by the spill. In cooperation with the DNR, USFWS and Binder Park Zoo staff, the turtles were successfully released around 1:00pm Monday afternoon in a pond in the middle of Zoo grounds. This event marked the first documented case of wildlife affected by the local oil spill being released back into the wild.
The turtles were recovered by wildlife crews as part of the Kalamazoo River/Enbridge oil spill response and stabilized at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Marshall, MI. Soft-shell turtles are particularly sensitive to their environment and keeping them in captivity is very challenging. It is in their best interest that they be released back into a natural environment as soon as possible. The turtles will be permanently identified and will be monitored by Zoo Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Chris Tabaka, who is an expert in the field of turtle medicine.
To date 95 animals, including 31 turtles and a variety of birds and mammals, have been recovered by wildlife crews and brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Marshall, MI to be stabilized and cleaned. Biologists will monitor the turtles that were released today to help provide additional information about the long-term impacts of oil on wildlife.
If you spot affected wildlife, please call (800)
306-6837. A trained rescuer will respond to your call. Please do not handle wildlife.
Hands on Battle Creek is handling ALL calls regarding volunteers for the oil spill clean up. You can reach them at 269-565-4159. They are also collecting donations of various items for the oil spill clean up. You can learn more on their website.
The Humane Society of South Central Michigan is working with the American Red Cross to help the pets of families displaced by the Kalamazoo River Oil Spill and they are in GREAT NEED of cat food! Donations can be dropped off at 2500 Watkins Road in Battle Creek.
Donations of items such as non-fitted sheets and soft towels, cardboard boxes, small white boards, duck tape and firewood can be dropped off at Crossroads Church and Ministries, 717 N. Old 27, Marshall.
