A WALK IN THE PARK

A hobby that's gone wild

Lynn Scuimbato feeds a baby squirrel.
Lynn Scuimbato feeds a baby squirrel.

Recently, I have been thinking about people who have interesting and unusual hobbies and/or occupations. I decided to use my curiosity as a means of learning more about a wildlife rehabilitation service here in our area. I found out that “retirement” means different things to different people.

That was clearly evident during my visit with Lynn Scuimbato of Morning Star Wildlife Rehab Center near Gravette. At a point in life when some may want to slow down and take it easy, this compassionate and energetic retired school teacher continues to take in more mouths to feed. So many, in fact, that she couldn’t even venture a guess when I asked how many birds and animals she was currently caring for. She had either lost track or had been too busy to count in the first place.

After a visit to her home, which resembled a baby animal nursery, followed by a walk around the outdoor sanctuary she provides for the grown birds and animals that need her, I could see why she couldn’t answer my question. There are quite a lot of them and the inventory of furry or feathered friends changes frequently as some recover enough to be released and new ones are being acquired.

Lynn has been involved in rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife for 24 years. She had always been interested in animals and the environment. However, she didn’t know how animals would “completely take over her life” when she agreed to help when friends Joe and Vivian Stockton wanted to retire from wildlife rehab. Since retiring from a career as a Biology and Ecology teacher a couple of years ago, Lynn devotes herself full-time to her passion. She especially enjoysrehabilitating birds - everything from hummingbirds to eagles - and is one of the few in the state that has the required federal permit to do so.

Mammal rehabilitation, which Lynn also does plenty of, requires a state permit.

April through September is the busiest season, when Lynn gets called upon to care for all kinds of babies. During these times, the work load is almost nonstop. Baby birds get fed every hour and baby mammals are fed every three to four hours.During the winter, things slow down a bit with fewer babies to care for. However, this is the season when more raptors come in, Lynn explained. She said word-of-mouth is the way most people find her to help with animals. She also gets referrals from local veterinarian offices and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Of course, her former students also know who to call with wildlife questions.

Lynn says that because she works with so many baby animals, she doesn’t have time to form attachments with just one. Her favorite part of the job is when she is able to release a bird or mammal back to the wild. Large birds go to a one-hundred-foot flight pen to build muscles needed for flying as a final step in preparation for being released. A few birds have come to live permanently at Morning Star Wildlife Rehab Center because they have injuries that would prevent them from getting enough food to survive in the wild. Three of these, namely, Igor the turkey vulture, Joey the barred owl, and Jennie the red tailed hawk, are used in some of the approximately 30 presentations Lynn does each year to help educate the public about the birds, how they are cared for and how each is fascinatingly adapted for its role in nature.

Although, she is no longer in the classroom, Lynn hasn’t stopped teaching. And, her work load keeps her busier than ever, especially during the season that requires ‘round the clock feedings. Fortunately for the many injured, orphaned and sick animals that need her each year, and for those of us who get to learn from her work, she doesn’t seem to mind a bit.

For more information, contact Morning Star Wildlife Rehab Center at [email protected] or 479-795-1515. It is a nonprofit operation and supported by donations.

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/14/2011