Pocono News Section

Wildlife Center in Schuylkill County Needs Your Help

Wildlife Center in Schuylkill County Needs Your Help - Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:58AM EST

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY- A huge project is underway in Schuylkill County to help Pennsylvania's wildlife. Red Creek Wildlife Center takes in all species of Pennsylvania wildlife. The team here specializes in the rescue, treatment and release of injured, orphaned and sick wildlife.

The center helps about 800 animals a year and most are returned to the wild. The center is able to give these animals a second chance because of generous donations. The center is thriving and needs more rehabilitators. So they are starting a school to pursue that vocation.

Red Creek Director of Development Morrie Katz said, “We really need public support to make this project happen. There’s no funding on a county, state or federal level. We really need the public behind us to ensure the success in building and operating this wildlife learning center. We know it will be self sustaining once operating.”

Red Creek Executive Director Peggy Hentz said, “There is no facility where you can go and study wildlife rehabilitation in its entirety like you could go to a college or a university or a vocation technical institute.”

Hentz wants to build a full time, state-of-the-art learning center with a 2-year curriculum at Red Creek. She says it's important the profession of wildlife rehabilitator exists in large numbers because the demand is there.

For more on how you can help call 739-4393.