Governor Edward Rendell Releases Red Tailed Hawk
at The Schuylkill Center

2009-governor-edward-rendell-releases
On Tuesday, February 24th, friends, supporters and neighbors of The Schuylkill Center and students of the Green Woods Charter School were given a rare treat.  A red-tailed hawk, injured by a car but nursed back to health by our Wildlife Rehabilitation Staff was returned to its rightful place in the wild.  The hawk was released by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, underscoring the importance of wildlife rehabilitation to our community.
 
The Governor arrived on the SCEE grounds just before 4:30PM, where he was met by SCEE's Executive Director Dennis Burton, Board Chairman John Howard, and Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic Director Rick Schubert. After receiving careful instruction from Rick, Governor Rendell donned thick, elbow-length gloves and walked to an open field where the hawk was placed in his arms.  Though the Governor had never before released a hawk into the wild, Rick Schubert was impressed by his ability to handle the bird of prey. "A hawk is a dangerous animal, whose sharp talons could easily cause a puncture.  The Governor took directions well, and handled the hawk naturally", said Schubert.
 
Governor Rendell walked approximately twenty feet into the field, and released the hawk into the air.  The crowd of onlookers watched in wonder as the magnificent bird soared into the sky, circling several times before landing in a nearby tree.  Said Schubert, "When releasing a hawk into a new habitat, it needs time to get its bearings, and decide which direction to go.  Because it is a juvenile hawk it does not yet have its own territory and will likely trail along the Schuylkill River looking for a habitat to call its own".
 
As the hawk reclaimed its freedom, the crowd became festive. Participants warmed themselves with hot cocoa, apple cider, and cookies, while the Governor described SCEE as "a treasure in the midst of Philadelphia", and spoke of his appreciation for SCEE's wildlife rehabilitation services. Governor Rendell asked the gathered school children to always remember the event they had just witnessed, and to make a commitment to preserving natural habitat. Local resident and long time SCEE supporter Wendy Willard was impressed by the gathering of staff, neighbors and supporters.  "I've lived here for twenty years and am still in awe everyday", said Wendy, adding "it's a perfect day to showcase one of the many exciting facets of The Schuylkill Center".
 
The red-tailed hawk is one of approximately three thousand animals that are rescued and rehabilitated by The Schuylkill Center's Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic (WRC) each year.  Established in 1987, the WRC is the only rehabilitation facility in Philadelphia and the four counties fully licensed to treat all species of wildlife.  Since its inception, the WRC has treated over 40,000 injured wild animals, and returned them to their natural habitats.  The care is free, and no animal is turned away.  But caring for such large numbers of injured wildlife costs thousands of dollars each year and, in the current economic climate securing necessary funding can be difficult.  In an effort to support its work, the WRC hosts an annual 'Baby Shower'.  Members of the community are asked to donate items such as paper towels, tissues, and pedialyte that are essential to the animals care.  This year's baby shower will be held at The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education on March 7th, but contributions can be made throughout the year.

For more information about The Schuylkill Center's Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, please contact Steve Aldrich at swrc@schuylkillcenter.org.