A Field Trip—No Paddling.
I have been given the generous offer by Margaret Pickell, the Operations Manager at The Wildlife Center of Texas, to come to the center to learn about wildlife rescue in the Houston area. Anyone interested in joining me is welcome. She is going to give us information on how and when to attempt a wildlife rescue if/when we come across a situation on our paddles. During the Lake Charlotte paddle last December, our paddle group came upon a brown pelican, caught by one foot in a tall cypress tree by way of a fishing line wrapped around the foot and the tree. Attempts to reach the bird were unsuccessful and we had to, sadly, paddle away, without being able to help the pelican. Ms. Pickell and the Center were part of the rescue of more than 70 brown pelicans caught in fishing lines that same weekend.
While we will not be able to visit animals currently in rehab at the Center, we will receive a presentation and be able to ask questions in their training room. Ms. Pickell stated they have ambassador animals (including a hawk) that they would be able to bring into the training room for demonstrations on how to handle birds and animals that may have been injured. She is also willing to help put together information for a small pocket guide that we could distribute to our members and include as part of our paddle gear. There is no cost for this. However, I am asking for registrations so I can get a head count and let the Center know how many to expect.
THIS ACTIVITY IS ORGANIZED BY A THIRD PARTY AND IS NOT ORGANIZED, SANCTIONED OR ENDORSED BY HASK, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS OR INSURERS. HASK MAKES NO CLAIM AS TO THE SUITABILITY OF THIS EVENT OR THE RELIABILITY, EXPERIENCE OR QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ORGANIZER(S), AND HASK AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS MEMBERS AND INSURERS ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ANY PARTICIPANT. ALL PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK.