By Janet McAfee
For many years a wonderful nonprofit in Indio, the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center, cared for sick, injured or orphaned wild native birds. Linda York, their wonderful executive director, loved to focus on raptors, hawks and pelicans with the eventual goal of releasing them to the wild. They made headlines when that helped rescue a brood of ducklings from a storm drain in La Quinta. The Center contained acres of wetlands with birding opportunities and guided bird walks. The facility closed in 2023 when York retired.
The birds were received from the general public, Riverside County Animal Control Services, California Department of Fish and Game, and the United States Fish and Wildlife. I once brought in a injured sparrow from my community and York explained in detail how she would nurse it back to health and release it back to the wild.
Now there is exciting news for our feathered friends. The Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter have been busy renovating the facility reopened on May 17 under a new name THE DESERT WILDLIFE CENTER. The Center will initially focus on caring for wild birds, with future plans to expand its offerings to injured reptiles and small mammals. (Large mammals such as mountain lions and big horn sheep are handled by state wildlife personnel.)
Director Tracy Dawson tells us they expect to receive a lot of birds from the Salton Sea as the region is a major stop on the Pacific Coast migratory pathway. The community will now have a local place to help with wild bird issues. Currently Riverside County has only three wildlife rehab facilities, all of them at least an hour’s drive away. They are eagerly seeking volunteers, and opportunities include helping staff the hotline, landscaping, intake, and animal care. Dawson tells us, “We are partnering with the hiking communities here and the natural resource agencies around the valley. We are hoping to be this major hub for wildlife in the valley.”
They are in the final stages of securing their operational permit with the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and anticipate they will be given approval to officially begin accepting wildlife next month.
The cities of Indio, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage have provided financial support. Donations from the public are tax deductible under their 501(3)C charity status. They will host student field trips, public educational events, art exhibits and other services dedicated to connecting people with wildlife and their issues.
Viruses, Botulism, cars, flying into windows, tree trimming disturbing nests, power lines and attacks from dogs & cats are just some of the reasons birds need a rehabilitation facility. The majority need help during “baby bird season” which runs from March until September. Sometimes people bring in found babies that are fledglings, not actually in need of rescue; those callers may be advised to give nearby parents a chance to provide needed care. However, a baby bird cannot go for three days without the proper food and warmth.
There will be opportunities for your involvement. You can contact them through the Wildlife helpline phone number (760) 203-5500 or email info@desertwildlifecenter.org.
We should never take our precious wildlife for granted. With so many species threatened, we need to find better ways to protect them.
