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Avian pox is caused by a group of viruses in
the genera avipoxvirus of the family Poxviridae,
subfamily Chordopoxvirinae (poxviruses of
vertebrates). Avipoxvirus (APV) consists of 10
defined species but many avian pox isolates
have not been classified and many others may
exist that have not been
isolated yet. Although
in the same family as
small pox of people
there is no evidence that
APV can be transmitted
to people.
Avian pox virus is
endemic in both captive
and free ranging
avian species and has
been identified in over
60 species of birds
worldwide. Found in
birds of all ages it
is considered an
emerging disease as
new species are reported
affected. It is primarily
transmitted by biting
insects (especially
mosquitoes) and directly
via blood, excretions, and environmental
contamination. Tolerant of dry conditions
APV can remain viable for extended periods
in the environment.
Seasonal trends reflect the prevalence of biting
insects so most cases are seen in the summer and
autumn, but it is the more severe cases that last into
winter that are often seen as the birds become
debilitated and mortality increases. Mortality has
been reported to range from 20-80% and secondary
infections are common and are often the ultimate
cause of death.
There are two primary forms. The cutaneous or dry
pox form involves the formation of nodular
scabs formed in areas of
featherless skin. Size and
a p p e a r a n c e a r e
variable. Under the
lesions the skin is
hemorrhagic. Dried crusts
drop off leaving scar
tissue. This form is most
likely spread by biting
insects or infection
through skin defects as
the virus cannot pass
through intact skin. In
the diphtheritic or wet
pox form, the lesions
o ccu r o n m u co u s
membranes. Mucosal
lesions develop into
u lcers rather than
pustules. They can be
seen in the oral cavity,
r e s p i r a t o r y t r a c t ,
gastro-intestinal tract and
around the eyes. Infection of the respiratory tract
often leads to sepsis and carries the highest
rate of mortality. Ocular and oral lesions can also
lead to mortality by debilitation. Even the dry
form which can cause foot lesions, can lead to the
loss of the distal phalanx. This is very debilitating
in raptors.
Although the lesions are generally easy to
recognize, a laboratory diagnosis can be performed
Avian Pox: The Ugly Truth
By James Boutette DVM, Animal & Bird Health Care Center,
Cherry Hill, NJ
Spring 2012
On Track…
mourning dove with advanced pox lesions Photo by Ruth Brooks
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PAGE 2 ON TRACK…
them, but volunteering at a wildlife center is not
always fun. It involves intensive training and lots
and lots of cleaning, in fact. Being a volunteer is a
serious commitment but it is also a rewarding once
in a lifetime experience like no other! There are
many ways that you can give your gift of time to
your local refuge and be a part of our lifesaving
work! While cleaning and feeding are major needs
for rehabilitation centers, there are opportunities
for volunteers to do much more.
With training and time spent working at a center,
volunteers can help handle education animals for
programs, assist in releases of rehabbed animals,
and help with medical assessments and husbandry
of many different species. Additionally, some
centers offer several different types of volunteer
opportunities that may include office help,
educational program assistance, cage building, and
more! Perhaps you are in need of a service project
to fulfill a community service requirement? Do not
hesitate to contact your local volunteer coordinator
to find out what opportunities may be available at a
rehabilitation facility in your area!
Without volunteers we could not be successful in
our work! If you have a desire to learn more about
volunteering, visit our website www.njawr.org
to find a rehabilitator close to you.
Continued…
on samples shipped frozen using virus isolation
techniques. Rehabilitators and veterinarians must
take certain precautions when handling suspected
cases. All birds must be housed individually,
all surfaces must be washed in 10% dilute bleach
solution or other anti-viral agents.
Treatment includes supportive care, fluid and
nutritional support, and prophylactic antibiotic and
anti-fungal medications. Debilitating lesions such
as those around the eyes, mouth, or nares can
sometimes be removed surgically by a veterinarian.
In non-lethal cases lesions will spontaneously
regress as immunity is built up, usually taking 1-4
weeks. Incubation periods are from 10-20 days
so birds becoming infected in rehabilitation
facilities may not show signs until they have
already been released! Commercial vaccines are
available but are used primarily for captive
populations as a preventative measure and must
be repeated yearly. For most cases of APV entering
rehabilitation facilities the decision to treat must be
made based on the severity of the case, condition of
the patient, on presentation, and the ability to
provide appropriate isolation from other birds.
Where Oh Where Have The Volunteers Gone?
By Ruth Brooks and Melissa Anahory
It is very difficult these days to expect people to do
a job, especially one that is often labor intensive and
emotionally draining, and not get paid for it.
But there are people that do just that, and they are
called volunteers! If there were no volunteers,
non-profit organizations would not be able to
function or carry out their mission. Thankfully
these people are out there, and the wildlife
rehabilitators of New Jersey are always in need
of more, especially as the need for our services
continues to increase. We are lucky to have the
dedicated and skilled people we have now, and we
are always looking to share the rewards of our
work and our passion with new volunteers!
Many people love animals and want to work with
Volunteers are trained in various aspects of animal care.
Talisa Velez (pictured above) helps to feed a one week
old Red Fox kit at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge.
Photo by: Heather Freeman
http://www.njawr.org
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PAGE 3 ON TRACK…
President’s Message
by Tracy Leaver
Dear Members,
I hope 2012 is off to a
good start for everyone
and that you are rested and
prepared after a “quiet”
winter for the spring rush.
For NJAWR our year
began with an Annual
Membership meeting at
which we welcomed four new board members, made
plans and set goals for the remainder of the year and
discussed how to best serve our membership. An
accomplishment we are proud of is being able to offer
pre-exposure rabies vaccinations at a deeply reduced
price to our members. This has been a priority for us
for some time and we sincerely thank Dr. Martin
for her generous part in helping us see this important
goal to fruition. Hats off to the Conference
Committee for our well attended annual conference
that was a great success offering several informative
presentations and workshops. We are already
planning for 2013 so feel free to share your ideas for
speakers and topics with us.
New Jersey Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators Board of
Directors
Tracy Leaver, President 908-730-8300 [email protected] Cathy
Malok , Vice President 908-647-2353 [email protected]
Diane Nickerson, Secretary 609-883-6606
Michael Ginder, Treasurer 856-810-1562 [email protected]
Melissa Anahory 908-730-8300 [email protected]
Ruth Brooks 856-366-4114 [email protected]
Sharon Ragonese 609-660-8737 [email protected] Heather
Freeman 908-730-8300 [email protected]
Jeanne Gural [email protected]
Lauren Butcher 908-647-1091 [email protected]
Jane Rakos-Yates 609-883-6606
[email protected]
On Track is the newsletter of the New Jersey Association of
Wildlife Rehabilitators (NJAWR) and is published four times a year.
NJAWR does not officially endorse products, techniques, drugs,
opinions, diets, etc. which are presented herein. Every effort
is made to ensure accuracy; however,
the reader is responsible for contacting the contributing author
should problems or questions arise.
On Track Editor: Melissa Anahory 908-730-8300
[email protected]
Other exciting accomplishments and thanks to our
media committee include the development of our
Facebook page and expansion of our website to
include on-line payments and registration for
events. The Education Committee is working on a
series of educational brochures for the general
public and animal shelters and ACO’s to use in
preventing unnecessary wild orphans.
As we get further into this very busy season I
encourage us to support each other in every
way possible. Share ideas, ask questions, get
to know each other a bit better, ask for help
and give it. Have a great spring and take care of
yourselves as well!
On behalf of the NJAWR Board of Directors I
would like to thank you for supporting us and ask
you to let us know what you need and want from
your organization.
Be well,
Tracy Leaver
NJAWR Is Proud To Welcome Its Newest Board Members: Heather
Freeman, Jeanne Gural, Lauren Butcher, and Jane Rakos-Yates
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Test Your Natural History IQ By Susan Pié
must be adjusted for certain nutrients as the animal
grows. Commercial foods that are formulated for
domestic animals and livestock do not support
wildlife. Currently there is a “popular” diet for
squirrels posted on the internet. This diet is
deficient! Nothing is sadder than having to
euthanize an animal that has developed metabolic
bone disease as a result of an improper diet. Also,
the process of feeding young rabbits and
opossums is extremely difficult since they do not
readily suckle. If you are not familiar with the
proper feeding technique these young can starve.
The other aspect of hand raising an animal is, “What
do I do with it now that it has grown and is chewing,
biting, attacking and overall too hard to handle?” Or,
while you may never have intended to keep it, the
mammal or bird has become imprinted or overly
familiar with humans. Corvids (jays and crows),
waterfowl, turkeys and even some raptors fall
into this category. Releasing such a bird is a death
warrant. Birds with no fear of humans or
predators don’t have a chance. Think about it. They
will constantly pester humans for food. They
may try to mate with humans, or attack humans
during mating season, if humans are perceived
as a threat. They may be rejected, attacked and killed
by their own kind. Mammals, too, present very
similar challenges, especially hand raised fox,
raccoon and deer. Human raised animals generally
meet with very unfortunate deaths when dumped
back into the wild. Should these animals reach our
doors, placement is very difficult and euthanasia
is usually the most humane course.
If that’s not enough, zoonoses (those diseases which
are transmissible from animals to humans) are
a very real danger to humans. Parasite infestation,
upper respiratory infections from bird droppings
(Chlamydia psittaci), “rabbit fever” (Francisella
tulerenis), raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris
procyonis), and rabies are just a few of the health
concerns.
As human beings, we are stewards of wildlife.
Finding a nestling on the ground, rescuing
an opossum from a cat or dog attack, or picking
up an animal injured on the side of the road brings
out our most altruistic nature. Unlike their
domestic counterparts, however, the care of
wildlife differs significantly.
It’s in our nature to want to help. But are we
helping – or harming – those who have fallen,
by circumstance, into our care? Projecting
human values onto these injured or displaced
creatures can be a great disservice to their
care and ultimate ability to return to the
wild. Also, zoonoses – diseases which are
transmissible from animals to humans – must be
considered when handling wildlife.
Test your knowledge of wildlife natural history by
taking the “Wildlife Challenge” below. We hope
you will find it informative. Our goal is your goal
– to better understand and care for the creatures
with which we co-exist.
True or False: “I found a young bird, or squirrel,
or rabbit, or opossum, or fawn, and I believe I can
raise it on my own. After all, I found some really
great information on the internet on how to feed
and care for it. I might want to keep it as a pet.
Anyway, if it gets to be too much, I can always let
it go in the local park or at our friends’ place out of
state, since they have a lot of land.”
FALSE. First and foremost, wildlife is protected
by state and federal laws. With very few
exceptions, it is illegal for citizens to capture, trap,
raise, kill, or relocate animals. Some wildlife
species are endangered. Hand raising them reduces
their numbers even further.
The well intended desire to hand raise wildlife
may have devastating effects on the animal’s
overall health and well-being. Various wildlife
species have very specific dietary needs, which are
quite different from domestic animals. The diet
PAGE 4 ON TRACK…
Continued…
-
White-tail deer does leave their fawns in
rather awkward places – yards, gardens, driveways,
and even along side the road. Surprisingly, mother
is never more than twenty yards away from
her fawn. Fawns that are curled up in a fetal
position (much like a napping cat) are simply
waiting for their mother to return. A fawn with
legs splayed out underneath it, and who is crying,
is the fawn about which you need to be concerned.
Again, please employ the twenty-four hour rule.
If the fawn has not moved far, or at all, by all
means, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
True or False: Picking up young birds or
mammals gives them a human smell and their
parents will reject them.
FALSE. However, please refrain from picking up
fledgling birds that are learning to fly, or mammals
as in the case of squirrels described above.
Hatchlings and very young nestlings have few if,
any, feathers. If they are unable to stand, they
probably could use your help picking them up and
returning them to the nest. If the nest is not
reachable, affixing a margarine container or a berry
basket to a tree is the next best thing. If young
birds are moved too far away from where they were
found, mom is unable to locate them. Birds have
little or no sense of smell (the exception being
vultures). She uses her keen eyesight and sense of
hearing to find her young. Humans are primarily
discouraged from picking up young birds and
mammals because of zoonoses and parasites.
PAGE 5 ON TRACK…
How can you help? Bring displaced wildlife to a
rehabilitation center as soon as you have determined that
they truly need assistance. This may take up to
twenty-four hours to determine. Nestling birds must be
fed every twenty minutes. Observe the nestling to see
whether the parent returns. Be aware that parents will
appear when you least expect it – just as you turn away,
close your eyes, go to answer the phone, or have
someone else watch because you need a break! If
possible, return the nestling directly to its nest. If it’s
too
high, affix a margarine container or berry basket to the
tree and place the bird inside so parents can return to
feed. The same procedure may be followed with young
squirrels. If, after twenty-four hours, parents have not
returned and the bird or squirrel does not appear to have
been fed, bring it to a rehabilitator.
A word about Eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus)
and white-tail deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus)…we
receive hundreds of calls every season about these two
species. Our best advice to you is to leave them alone.
Mother rabbit simply gives birth wherever she is and
then barely covers the nest with fur and pieces of dried
grass. She returns at night to feed her young, and leaves
them alone during the day. Rabbits are mature at four
weeks – at least that’s when mom stops coming around.
Chances are you will NEVER see mom.
To determine whether rabbits are in need of assistance,
simply criss-cross several (6+) pieces of string over the
nest in the evening. If the string is disturbed the next
morning, mom is around. Intervene only if the string has
not been disturbed.
Photo by Tracy Leaver
Photo by Rich Woods
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Test Your Natural History IQ (Continued) By Susan Pié
Every year the Mercer County Wildlife Center
receives nearly 12,000 telephone inquiries and
approximately 2,000 animals, thanks to your care
and concern. You are the eyes and ears of our local
wildlife, and many of you have volunteered here as
well as at other rehabilitation centers.
If we are not aware of the special needs of wildlife,
they lose. Well-meaning intervention can remove a
young animal from its home, disrupt the natural
process of fledging, or interfere with their natural
curiosity at the world around them. Malnutrition
causes permanent – and sometimes fatal – nutritional
deficiencies; imprinting or human familiarity is a
death sentence for wild animals; zoonotic diseases
may be as uncomfortable as the flu or as fatal as
untreated rabies. As much as we all love them and
want to help, our greatest service is to understand
their natural processes, and allow wildlife to be free.
**Republished from the Mercer County Wildlife
Center’s 2005 newsletter
.
If you have found an injured or orphaned wild
animal please call a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Do not attempt to care for the animal yourself and do
not put yourself at risk. To locate a wildlife
rehabilitator near you please visit our website at
www.njawr.com for a complete list by county.
Thank you for caring about our wild neighbors!
Young squirrels tend to be infested with fleas, and
birds carry lice and mites. All wildlife has a certain
parasitic load that you don’t need!
True or False: A sweet little squirrel followed me
around the yard or park. He ran up to me and ate
out of my hand. He is very friendly. He obviously
needs my help; what if the cat or dog gets him?
FALSE. Young gray squirrels (Sciurus caro-
linensis), as well as other young mammals, are in
the stage of leaving the nest and are naturally
curious. What human nature perceives as a
friendly little animal is, in fact, one that has not
quite developed its sense of fear. But,
believe me, it will! If you’ve ever been bitten by
a squirrel, you know what I mean! Also, because
you are taller than a juvenile squirrel, in their
world you are a tree.
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) kits have been trapped
and moved far from their natural homes – basically
left to die – because their curiosity at the world
around them has lured them dangerously close to
you. The popular misconception is that they are
rabid. While the behavior of a rabid animal may
include their moving close to humans, this is
certainly not the sole means by which to determine
the presence of the disease. In both instances,
please leave the young squirrel or fox alone. They
may follow for a short time, but will soon
lose interest when their natural curiosity draws
them in another direction.
True or False: A bird or mammal that sits quietly
and allows you to easily pick him up is tame.
FALSE. Healthy, normal animals survive by the
“fight or flight” rule. Any wildlife that sits still and
quiet is either in shock or injured. Both conditions
are life-threatening and by no means indicate a
tame, socially willing state. How can you help?
Keep the animal warm and quiet and bring it to a
rehabilitator for assessment and care.
PAGE 6 ON TRACK…
WANTED
We are looking for informative mammal, avian,
veterinary and general interest topics! Have you
come across a great rehabilitation or other wildlife
article you would like to share with our members?
Please send it to our Editor at [email protected]
for review for future publication.
Continued…
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including coordinating special events and other
fundraising and p.r. efforts and supervising the
Trust’s summer internship program. Lauren has
been a seasonal avian rehabilitator at the Trust
since 2000 and is a sub-permittee of Raptor Trust
Director, Leonard J. Soucy. She very much looks
forward to working with the wildlife rehabilitation
community on behalf of NJ’s wildlife.
Jane Rakos-Yates, Mercer County Wildlife
I have been at Mercer County Wildlife Center,
Titusville, NJ, since 1996. I started as a volunteer,
and then an intern, then part-time, to now will
be my 5th year as a full-time Clinic Supervisor,
Volunteer Coordinator and Wildlife Educator. I
have college degrees in Business Management
from Kutztown University, and Biology from
Delaware Valley College. Additional employment
background in accounting, as a veterinary
technician and horticulture/landscaping. I live in
Doylestown, PA, with my 12 year old daughter,
Amelia, my dog, Cooper, and cat, Sokka. I’m proud
to be part of NJAWR and their positive mission
for wildlife rehabilitation.
NJAWR Members In The News!
Conserve Wildlife Women & Wildlife
NJAWR would like
to con gr a tu l a t e
NJAWR member
Jackie Kashmer of NJ
Bat Sanctuary located
in Hunterdon county!
Jackie received the
honor of The 2012 Women & Wildlife Inspiration
Award from Conserve Wildlife NJ!
Jackie has been a wildlife rehabilitator for 20 years
but her dedication to bats and her deeper
understanding of their needs is an inspiration to all.
Jackie and other 2012 Women & Wildlife Award
Winners were honored on Sunday, April 15th .
Credit: www.conservewildlifenj.org
News and Events
PAGE 7 ON TRACK…
NJAWR Board of Directors
Welcomes Four New Members!
The NJAWR Nominating Committee recently elected
four new members to its Board of Directors! We would
like to welcome Heather Freeman, Jeanne Gural,
Lauren Butcher, and Jane Rakos-Yates.
Heather Freeman, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge
Heather Freeman always loved animals. She went to
college for Biology at Ramapo with the intention of
becoming a zookeeper. Heather heard about Woodlands
Wildlife Refuge through an ad in the newspaper seeking
volunteers. She started volunteering at Woodlands in
2006. Through volunteering, Heather became more
interested in wildlife rehab than zoo-keeping. She was
hired as the Wildlife Care and Volunteer Supervisor at
Woodlands in 2011.
Jeanne Gural, Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
In 2009, Cedar Run welcomed its current executive
director, Jeanne Gural to Cedar Run. Ms. Gural comes to
Cedar Run from The Nature Conservancy where she
served as the Director of Preserves. Ms. Gural also
served as the Ecological Restoration Program Manager
for Rutgers University, where she also attended graduate
courses in Wildlife Ecology. Prior to this, Jeanne served
as the research assistant for the Joint Sciences Biology
Department of the Claremont Colleges where she worked
on various habitat and wildlife focused projects in places
such as Venezuela, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico,
Mexico, Panama, California, New York and New
Jersey. Jeanne is a New Jersey native, like most of the
wildlife we see, having grown up in Palmyra where she
and her four brothers all attended high school.
Lauren Butcher, The Raptor Trust
Lauren Butcher is the Education Director at The Raptor
Trust, an avian rehabilitation center in Millington,
NJ, that cares for up to 3,800 wild birds annually. In
addition to overseeing educational programming, Lauren
plays a number of administrative roles at the center,
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News and Events
Workshops included Basic Intake Exam and
Assessment (pictured above), Wound Care, and
Vaccination information.
NJAWR 2012 Conference – March 24, 2012
Board members Melissa Anahory and Heather Freeman
This year’s annual conference, held on March 24th,
2012 at Princeton University was a huge success!
The best attended conference in years included
over 80 participants from the tri-state area from
wildlife rehabilitation and related fields. We would
like to thank everyone who came out to support
NJAWR and enjoy a day filled with networking,
workshops, and lectures.
This year’s conference speakers included an
exciting array of experts in the field of wildlife
rehabilitation and veterinary professionals
including Dr. Erica Miller, Tri-State Bird
Rescue & Research - DE, Dr. James Boutette,
Animal and Bird Health Care Center - NJ, Barb
Hollands, Vice President of the New York State
Wildlife Rehabilitators Council, and Dr. Karen
Dashfield, Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary - NJ.
Topics and workshops included wound
management, initial animal intake and assessment,
and vaccination information.
To stay informed about next year’s conference,
upcoming workshops, and roundtables please like
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJAWR or
check our website often at www.njawr.org.
PAGE 8 ON TRACK…
Free medical supplies (pictured above) were
brought in and traded by generous attendees!
Did you attend our conference? Do you have any
suggestions or requests for speakers, topics, or
workshops? Email [email protected] and
let us know your comments and suggestions!
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News and Events
PAGE 9 ON TRACK…
NJAWR Announces Our New Online Features!
Facebook-
NJAWR has recently joined Facebook! Become a fan to
stay up to date with photos, events, workshops, and more
at www.facebook.com/NJAWR !
NJAWR Website-
We have added some new features to our website! Be
sure to check www.NJAWR.org for the latest e-version
of our newsletters, link to New Jersey Rehabilitators, and
important event information.
NJAWR now proudly accepts Paypal as a form of pay-
ment for our events and memberships! An online store
will be coming soon!
NJAWR Photo Contest:
A Face Only A Rehabilitator Could Love!
Do you have a picture of an animal in your care (past
or present)? Do they have a face only a mother could
love? Send us your best (and worst) animal photos
for a chance to win a copy of NWRA’s Principles of
Mammal Rehabilitation. Be sure to include your
name, email, and phone number so we can contact
you if you win! Winners will be announced in the next
issue of On Track.
Please submit native wild animal photos only to On
Track editor, Melissa Anahory at [email protected]
Deadline: June 30th, 2012.
We are happy to report that we are now
able to assist our members with
getting their rabies pre-exposure
vaccinations! We were able to offer the
vaccinations at a rate of $100 per
series. Dr. Martina Martin is generously
donating her time and expertise to
administer the vaccinations.
We are proud to announce that this
season’s vaccination was a huge
success! Over 56 of our members
took advantage of thi s great
opportunity. We will be offering the
discounted pre-exposure vaccinations
again in the near future. Stay tuned to
our newslet ters , webs i te , and
Facebook page for upcoming dates.
If you have any questions email us at:
[email protected]
Rabies Vaccination Update!
Pre-Exposure Rabies Vaccinations!
If you have a rehabilitation experience, revelation,
an exciting product, tips or tricks or other valuable
information please consider sending it to us for
inclusion in a future On Track publication!
Photo by Lexis Hubert
Photo by Lexis Hubert
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PAGE 10 ON TRACK…
Sign me up as a member of NJAWR!
P.O. Box 2511
Vincentown, NJ 08088 www.njawr.org
Your membership dollars support the work of NJAWR. To become a
member or renew your membership, complete
this application form and return with a check for your
membership fee. Memberships can also be renewed online at
our website, www.NJAWR.org
Membership year is January to December. Please make checks
payable to NJAWR and mail to:
NJAWR, P.O. Box 2511, Vincentown, NJ 08088
NAME:_______________________________________________________________________________________
ORGANIZATION:_____________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________________________
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STATE:__________ ZIP:________________
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Individual $20.00_______ Family $30.00________ New
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