In Memory: Arlo the Eastern Screech Owl

We are so sad to share that Arlo, our eastern screech owl, passed away unexpectedly last month. Arlo came to us in October 2022 from Nature’s Nanny Wildlife Rehabilitation in Chesapeake, VA, where he’d been deemed non-releasable after sustaining head trauma and an eye injury in a collision with a van. His calm temperament on the glove (and adorable fluffiness!) quickly made him a favorite of our raptor handling team.

Our staff and volunteers work hard to give our Ambassador Animals the best quality of life possible. Because we only work with non-releasable wildlife, however, we understand that many of our animals come to us with permanent injuries that may ultimately shorten their lifespans. After speaking with our vet team and other experts, we believe Arlo’s neurological issues played a role in his passing.

During the year he was with us, Arlo met hundreds of kids and adults at school programs, outreach events, field trips, and raptor tours. His story helped us teach the importance of coexisting responsibly with wildlife, and gave nature lovers of all ages an opportunity to learn about the smallest owl species native to the Durham area.

Arlo may have been a small owl, but we know he had a big impact on our team and the communities we serve. Whether you worked with Arlo as a volunteer, met him at a program, or donated to our Wildlife Ambassador fund, thank you for helping us share our little friend with the world. If you would like to make a gift in Arlo’s memory, you may do so at the link below or at https://www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/donate

(Note: Piedmont Wildlife Center focuses on education and conservation, and does NOT rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife. If you’ve found a wild animal who needs help, please contact Our Wild Neighbors at 919-428-0896)

Protect wildlife this World Wildlife Conservation Day

Happy World Wildlife Conservation Day from Piedmont Wildlife Center! This day celebrates the progress we’ve made towards protecting biodiversity through conservation efforts like the Endangered Species Act. It also spreads awareness of the threats that continue to face wildlife worldwide, especially the illegal trafficking of animals and animal products as pets and luxury goods.

Today, we're reflecting on how illegal wildlife trafficking threatens animals in North Carolina and beyond - and what steps we can take to makes sure eastern box turtles and other wildlife stay wild. Here are 3 easy ways to say "NO" to the illegal wildlife trade:

#1. oPT FOR CAPTIVE-BRED PETS

Want to care for an unusual pet like a snake, turtle, or parrot? Make sure the animal you're purchasing is captive-bred by an ethical breeder. (Or adopt from a responsible rescue like BeWild Reptile Rescue!) Never purchase an animal that was taken from the wild, as this hurts wild populations and increases demand for trafficked animals.

#2. Keep wildlife Wild

Remember: Opossums, squirrels, and owls may be cute, but they aren't pets! Not only is it illegal to keep them in North Carolina without a permit, but these animals require specialized care that most households can't provide. If you find a wild animal that needs help, contact a licensed rehabilitator like Our Wild Neighbors instead of trying to care for it yourself.

**Please note that Piedmont Wildlife Center focuses on education and conservation and is NOT equipped to accept, treat, transport, or raise injured or orphaned wildlife. If you are in the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill area, please contact Our Wild Neighbors (919-428-0896) or one of these specialized organizations:

Carolina Raptor Center (birds of prey): 704-875-6521

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (ducks, geese, other birds): 704-286-6330

NC State Turtle Rescue Team (turtles, other reptiles): 919-397-9675

You can find additional resources at Animal Help Now and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

#3. rESPECT THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT

Did you find a hawk, eagle, or owl feather in the woods? Admire it... but don't take it home. In the USA, birds of prey are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It's illegal to possess any part of them without a permit, feathers included.

Want more ways to help protect wildlife? Get involved with our Triangle Turtle Trekkers citizen science project to help us monitor declining eastern box turtle populations in North Carolina! With your help, we can protect wildlife and their habitats for generations to come.

Myth or fact: Do snakes chase people?

Move over, Thanksgiving. Today, we’re celebrating Snakesgiving!

Celebrate these misunderstood creatures with Jenna Williams (Conservation Assistant) as she tackles a common myth about North American wildlife: Do rat snakes, cottonmouths, and other snakes actually chase people? Watch the video above to find out!

In Memory: Pepper the Virginia Opossum

We’re deeply saddened to report that Pepper the Virginia opossum passed away last Saturday, November 4th. At about 3.5 years old, Pepper lived nearly twice as long as wild opossums, who typically live only 1-2 years. Starting in October, our staff and volunteers noticed Pepper showing decreased interest in food and sleeping more than usual. She declined further at the beginning of November, becoming uncharacteristically lethargic and refusing to eat. When it became apparent that she would not improve, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent further suffering.

The fact that Pepper retained a high quality of life until the very end is a testament to the hard work of our Conservation Team, especially Kaitlin Saxton (Research & Husbandry Coordinator). Over the last year and a half, Kaitlin made huge improvements to our opossums’ diet, adding more calcium-rich foods like yogurt, broccoli, and kale to prevent metabolic bone disease. She also put together a ‘possum playground outside the cabin so Pepper could enjoy supervised outdoor enrichment - and even built a new, larger indoor opossum enclosure from scratch with help from Camryn Jefferson (Conservation Assistant)! Because of these improvements to her care, Pepper remained active, inquisitive, and healthy until her final days.

Pepper and her sister were found as orphaned babies in early 2020. They were brought to Our Wild Neighbors in Hillsborough, NC, where they were given the care they needed to grow up strong and healthy. Her sister was released after a few months, but Pepper remained so small that she wouldn’t have survived in the wild. She was deemed non-releasable and came to live as an Ambassador Animal at Piedmont Wildlife Center in November 2020.

Over the 3 years she was with us, Pepper went on countless programs where she met hundreds of students, campers, and adults. Her inquisitive and calm personality (not to mention her adorable face!) helped teach them not to fear these beneficial, often-misunderstood animals. Pepper was also popular online, receiving the second-highest number of “adopters” through our Adopt-an-Ambassador program. Most of her adopters were from out of state, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and even the United Kingdom! Pepper educated so many people during her lifetime, and we are forever grateful for her time with her.

If you feel moved to make a gift in Pepper’s memory, you may do so below. Thank you, Pepper, for working so hard to connect people with the wonders of native NC wildlife. We hope you’re enjoying yummy snacks, interesting smells, and cozy naps over the Rainbow Bridge.

Community Spotlight: Camryn Jefferson

Did you know that during our 2022-23 fiscal year, PWC conservation educators taught 5,232 kids, teens, and adults about wildlife? As demand for our wildlife programs grows, our Conservation Team is growing, too. Join us in welcoming Camryn Jefferson, our newest Conservation Assistant!

Cam grew up in Wilmington, NC, and attended NC State University, where she earned a B.S. in Zoology. While in college, she conducted research at the North Carolina Zoo, where she studied zoo-housed giraffe behavior and welfare. After graduating, she worked for Alabama Audubon, researching human disturbances to nesting shorebirds.

Cam brings a wealth of wildlife research and animal husbandry experience to her role here at PWC. She works closely with Kaitlin Saxton, Research & Husbandry Coordinator, to make sure our Ambassador Animals receive the best possible diet, enrichment, and housing. They recently finished building a new, larger enclosure for Pepper the opossum, and have started constructing an outdoor box turtle enclosure as well.

"At PWC, you never know what each day will entail," says Kaitlin. "Cam has welcomed every challenge and has an eagerness to learn and improve that makes her a perfect fit for Conservation Team!"

When not studying animals, Cam loves hiking, gardening, and scuba diving. Her favorite Ambassador Animal at PWC? Jade the eastern rat snake!

Thank you, Cam, for everything you've brought to PWC so far. We love having you around the cabin, and we're so excited to see how our Conservation department grows with you as a valued team member.