Suisun's Walk On The Wild Side

Vicki Knutsen absolutely loves her job. All of the hooting, the howling, the squawking, the purrs and the hisses couldn’t keep her away from what she enjoys doing as a volunteer at the nonprofit Suisun Wildlife Center.

The Suisun Wildlife Center is a part of the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association, which is dedicated to the rescue of native California wildlife and to the preservation of the Suisun Marsh, working through the dual avenues of wildlife rescue & release and environmental education, as stated on the Suisun Wildlife Center website.

There are approximately 70 volunteers at the center who are capable of assisting injured or orphaned animals, said Knutsen.  The center welcomes almost all types of wildlife except for water fowl, baby deer and foxes due to the lack of proper housing, she said. The center has taken care of more than 200 different types of species and because of proper care and rehabilitation, the center has been able to release over 30,000 animals back into the wild.

“Any wildlife that comes in gets our full attention,” said Knutsen. “We are all willing and able to take care of any type of animal that needs care.”

Knutsen said depending on the type of animal and the age, certain animals can be sent out for home care — where interested persons who feel comfortable taking a critter home can nurture an animal until it is ready to be brought back to the center.

No experience is required for home care, just general knowledge of animal hospitality, she said and that animals are brought back in time for “wilding up,” meaning isolating the animals from human contact and grouping them with their same species to learn from each other’s behaviors.  The animals “wild up” for approximately four to five months prior to releasing back into the wild, said Knutsen. The center does offer classes if volunteers are interested in learning more about animal care.

One of the main purposes of the center is to rehabilitate wildlife and release them back into their natural habitats, but some animals have become residents at the Suisun Wildlife Center due to permanent injuries they have sustained.

Long-time resident, Weshawee, is a Red Tail Hawk who has been at the Wildlife Center since 1993 due to an injury to her left wing at the wrist. Partial amputation was required and left Weshawee unable to fly.

Sool has also found a permanent place at the center and is the resident Golden Eagle. Sool was hit by a car and sustained an injury to his left wing damaging his flight feathers. His left wing was also amputated.  Currently, the Suisun Wildlife Center has over five different animals that will permanenlty reside with them. The center is the home to many different bird species, said Knutsen, but raccoons, squirrels, opossums, snakes, and even a coyote has made the Suisun Wildlife Center their home.

The Suisun Wildlife Center isn’t very visible from the main streets, said Fairfield resident Kacie Cook, but found out about the center while visiting the Marina. Cook took both of her children to visit and found a new appreciation for all types of animals, she said.

“I love nature and wildlife and love learning about them,” said Cook. “We learned the hazards of human population in wildlife habitats. Not only do they educate the public on our wildlife neighbors, but they rescue and help the injured ones. We all enjoyed it and it’s just something fun that you can do with your family.”

Cook’s eight-year-old son Jordin, had the opportunity to get an up close view of Sool, while in the care of Senior Raptor Handler Jim Furco.

“I loved seeing the eagle up close it was so cool,” said Jordin Cook.

Jordin’s younger sister, Kaelina Cook, enjoyed everything about her visit, especially the bird eggs, but loves all of the animals, she said.

The Suisun Wildlife Center visits many local schools to educate children about different wildlife species, said Knutsen.  They have visited schools as far as Vallejo and Dixon.

With the spring and summer seasons approaching Knutsen expects the animal population to increase. During the summer of 2010, the center housed roughly 85 raccoons, she said, which require a lot of care and attention.  Anyone 16 years old and older can volunteer at the center just by simply filling out an application, which is available at the location.

“I would definitely volunteer,” said Cook.  “They are non-profit and need all the help they can get.  I also think it would be a good volunteer opportunity for teens.”

Manager, Margie Furco, and her husband Jim Furco were unavailable for interviews. Director, Monique Liguori, was also unavailable.

“This is just a really fun place to work,” said Knutsen. “It’s a great experience being able to work here with such wonderful people. Margie and Jim are super dedicated sometimes working 10-hour days. Everyone here just cares about these animals as all people should.”