The arrival of Suisun, a 7-week old bobcat at the Wildlife
Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC), will offer animal
lovers a one-of-a-kind adventure
– a chance to take part in her eventual release back to the
wilds.
The arrival of Suisun, a 7-week old bobcat at the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC), will offer animal lovers a one-of-a-kind adventure – a chance to take part in her eventual release back to the wilds.
Starting next week, WERC will auction a unique opportunity to witness the release of a bobcat. The WERC Bobcat Release package will allow the winner to witness – first hand – the preparation that goes into releasing one of these majestic animals back into its natural habitat. And, of course, to be there as the release actually happens.
The WERC Bobcat Release package will be auctioned on E-Bay from June 1-14. Minimum bids for this package will start at $500. All proceeds from this auction will be used to benefit WERC’s rehabilitation and education efforts.
A local noted photographer will be on hand to capture this magical moment. As a memento of your experience, the winner will be presented an official Bobcat Release color photo and also, a photo album and the personal story of the designated bobcat.
The WERC Bobcat Release package includes two nights’ accommodations (maximum of one room) for up to four people at an upscale California hotel in the area of the release. Hotel choices will be specified at a later date. Limited transportation to the release site from designated location will be provided. Other transportation will be the sole responsibility of the purchasing party. Food, airfare (where applicable) or other travel expenses are the responsibility of the purchasing party.
Each year, a significant number of young and old bobcats are rescued as they wander into public roadways or a host of other precarious situations. Rescued bobcats oftentimes find their way into the caring hands of rehabilitators at WERC Once here, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide whatever care and rehabilitation is deemed necessary. All the while, the bobcats are housed in large, natural habitat enclosures located on WERC property. During their stay, averaging 3 to 8 months, all the bobcats are kept wild and not, in any way, cuddled by WERC caretakers. This helps to ensure their fear of man and survival after release.
Once the bobcats are given a clean bill of health by attending veterinarians, plans are made to reintroduce them back to their native habitat.
The bobcat release is tentatively scheduled to take place sometime in the fall of 2004 or 2005. The exact release date will be determined by WERC Once this determination has been made, the purchasing party will be notified. A minimum of two weeks notice will be provided.
The WERC Bobcat Release package is not intended to be a “hands-on” experience. Rather, the purchasing party will have the opportunity to view the release process first hand. The bobcat can only be handled by trained WERC staff members and volunteers. WERC offers no guarantee about the length/duration of the actual release.
Auctioning the bobcat release experience is meant to underwrite partial cost of raising the animal.
While the veterinary care is free and WERC, founded in 1990, has many volunteers, it does have a paid staff and mounting costs to cover. The team needs special food, mammal formula and medicine. Director Sue Howell said WERC can use any and all donations – of food and, especially, of money.
WERC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and preservation of native wildlife. Funded by private donations, WERC is both an acute-care facility for sick and injured wildlife, and a nurturing center for orphaned wildlife too young to survive on their own. W.E.R.C. operates as a temporary refuge for wildlife, for the organization’s goal is not to tame, but to release the animals back into their native habitat healthy, wild, and free.
WERC also supports an extensive educational program, speakers bureau and advisory service. Check the website for a fuller description.
Read more about WERC’s bobcat program at http://www.werc-ca.org/liberty.html and http://www.werc-ca.org/rehab.html
Details on the E-Bay auction: Cheryl Ajluni at ca*****@****on.com/
