Va. groups help animals displaced by Irene

VIRGINIA BEACH

As Hampton Roads residents clear yard debris from Hurricane Irene, they may find more than fallen branches and scattered pine needles.

In recent days, residents have discovered injured birds and orphaned baby squirrels.

If one should make such a find, it's important to bring the animals to the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said Teresa Lamarche, community outreach director for the Holland Road shelter.

So far, residents have brought in 185 baby squirrels, 35 injured birds and about 15 rabbits. Like the orphaned squirrels, the bunnies were displaced from their nests by the rain and flooding.

"We have the ability here to provide some medical assistance," Lamarche said. This week, staff members stabilized broken wings, mended broken legs and aspirated animals with water in their lungs.

But mostly, the staff is dealing with orphaned squirrels.

"It is squirrel season," Lamarche said. "They get blown out of trees, and there's no way for their mother to find them. Usually they get blown to a place that is a substantial distance from where they originally started."

On Tuesday, the SPCA sent more than 30 squirrels to The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, and about 100 baby squirrels and additional wildlife to the 43 rehabilitators the shelter works with throughout Hampton Roads.

The SPCA hopes to open its own regional wildlife center in Virginia Beach. The organization is awaiting a decision from the City Council on its proposal to develop a 50-acre property near the intersection of Indian River and North Landing roads. Wildlife Response, a volunteer network of home-based Hampton Roads wildlife rehabbers, also seeks to build a wildlife center on the same tract.

Evelyn Flengas, president of the home-based Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, received some of the Virginia Beach SPCA's displaced animals. During the past few days, residents brought her about 70 baby squirrels and an assortment of baby birds and raccoons.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has rescued two sea turtle hatchlings on local beaches since the storm.

It is estimated that the 2-inch-long loggerhead hatchlings, named Irene and Typhoon, are about 1 week old.

More sea turtle hatchlings may be found, said Christina Trapani, the aquarium's assistant stranding response coordinator. Those who find them, she said, should call the Stranding Response Hotline immediately and not try to put them back in the ocean or take them home.

Loggerhead sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and it is illegal for residents to have them in their possession.

As cleanup continues, Flengas encourages residents to bring other wildlife to her organization or to the Virginia Beach SPCA. Residents should put the animal in a lined, ventilated shoe box. Don't try to give food or water to the animals, because it may harm them.

"The wildlife is all confused," Flengas said. "Their little world has been turned upside down."

Rita Frankenberry, (757) 222-5102, rita.frankenberry@pilotonline.com