CWRA 2015 Fall Meeting
Sessions Woods, Burlington CT
Dec 5, 2015
9:00 am
Registration
9:15 am – 9:30 am
CWRA Members Meeting
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Overview of Federal Wildlife Law Enforcement
10:30 am – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 am – 11:30 am
Turtle Rehabilitation 101
11:30 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Wildlife Capture and Rescue Workshop
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Break
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Current Status of White-Nose Syndrome and Update
for Bat Rehabilitators
4:40 – 4:45 pm
End of Day Raffle and Silent Auction!
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PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS and SPEAKER BIOS
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Overview of Federal Wildlife Law Enforcement
This presentation will provide an overview of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s role in law
enforcement. It will describe how we conduct investigations, present several past investigations
involving the large scale illegal take of migratory birds (these cases started with reports from
wildlife rehabilitators) and provide instructions on reporting illegal activity and preserving
evidence.
Tom Riccardi is a Senior Special Agent with the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. His duty
station is Tolland, CT which is under the New England sub-district. He covers Connecticut and
half of Massachusetts from Worcester to the NY line. Prior to coming to CT he was stationed in
Oklahoma City, OK. Tom has been with USFWS for 22 years.
10:45 am – 11:30 am
Turtle Rehabilitation 101
What can freeze solid in winter, slow its heart rate to one beat per 10 minutes, hear through its
bones, has no vocal cords to make a sound, and walked the earth with the Dinosaurs? Turtles!
Turtles are easily the most beloved and charismatic reptile; sadly, over 40% of populations
worldwide are threatened with extinction. As a group, these animals are disappearing from the
earth at a faster rate than any other vertebrate. Wildlife rehabilitator and herpetologist, Patricia
Johnson, will share some ways you can contribute to the survival of our native populations,
simple ways to engage the public, and the basics to get started in caring for the injured.
Patricia Johnson is certified in reptile monitoring by the Smithsonian-Mason School of
Conservation and a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. She specializes in native
turtles, with a particular interest in Eastern Box Turtles. In 2015 she was selected to be the
NEPARC Fellow – Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science PARC/SSAR workshop.
Patricia produces Turtle Intensives, semi-annual meetings to spark conversations and the
sharing of ideas among those working in turtle conservation. She has co-authored five awardwinning books with her husband and lives in Yorktown Heights. They share their home with
three parrots, four cats, and dozens of turtle patients at any given time.
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Wildlife Capture and Rescue Workshop: Avoiding the
Kamikaze wildlife rescue: using knowledge, situational
planning and technology to capture distressed wildlife
Injured wildlife sometimes avoid capture by using the environment and their own superior
maneuverability. Knowing an animal’s instincts and out-thinking their behavior can turn an
impossible capture into a successful one. Using technology on a budget and making your own
tools for common rescue situations can save time, money and lives. This 3-hour workshop will
help you develop invaluable wildlife capture and rescue skills.
A wildlife rehabilitator since 1991, Peggy Hentz brings enthusiasm and comedy to all her
presentations. She is the Founder/Director of Red Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. and a member of
the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation and Education Advisory Council. She is the author of the
“Wildlife Capture and Transport Manual” which has been accepted by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife as those states’ guidelines for people permitted to
respond to wildlife emergencies. She also authored “Rescuing Wildlife, A Guide to Injured and
Orphaned Animals” published by Stackpole Books. Her current project is Wildlife EDU, Inc., an
online learning center for wildlife.
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Current Status of White-Nose Syndrome and an
Update for Bat Rehabilitators
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that has devastated populations of hibernating
bats throughout central and eastern United States and Canada. Bats affected by WNS often
display abnormal behaviors that include waking from hibernation more frequently and flying
outside during the day in the coldest months of winter within affected areas. Sick bats,
particularly those found flying during the winter, could potentially show up at rehabilitation
facilities. This presentation will provide background and general information about WNS, and
some considerations and guidance for wildlife rehabilitators who work with bats.
Christina Kocer has worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for 4.5 years and is currently
the Northeast Regional White-Nose Syndrome Coordinator. Prior to working for the Service, she
worked for the state of Connecticut (DEEP), in their Wildlife Diversity Program. She was there
when WNS was first documented in the state, so she has been involved in the WNS response in
multiple capacities since its discovery. Christina has her Master's Degree in Wildlife Ecology,
from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and her Bachelors of Science Degree in
Environmental Science from the University of Dubuque, in Dubuque Iowa.
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Raffle, Silent Auction
We have a great array of raffle and silent auction items, including some great tickets to “Dancing
with the Stars” touring show and a Brad Paisley concert!
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Chris Clark’s Squirrels and More will be on hand selling a wonderful selection of holiday
items. Contact her at www.squirrelsandmore.com if you want to pre-order rehab or gift items
that she can bring to you Dec 5 . Note that Chris can only accept cash or checks on Dec 5 , but
you can call ahead to make a credit card purchase.
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