All links in our digital newsletter are
clickable.
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2020 Update -
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is proud to announce our
important partnership with New Jersey Nature Conservancy. See the
full story and watch three videos highlighting how our organizations
are working together to save New Jersey's Wildlife at http://www.woodlandswildlife.org/WWRTNC.htm
A night vision trail cam allows us to get great observations
of this elusive bobcat overnight! The bobcat kitten is doing
well in the outdoor area. He has several climbing areas and
platforms, a den and places to hide lower down out of camera
view. He is Pending release this spring! www.woodlandswildlife.org
New Education Diamondback Terrapin! We received an injured
diamondback terrapin late in the season this year. Her injuries
were minor and as we began to plan her release we found a
problem. It turns out she was found over 30 miles from any
diamondback habitat and in the middle of a development. It
was then apparent that she was likely a "pet" that
somehow found herself on the road. With no information on
her true origins, and due to the high risk of disease spread
to her and/or wild populations, she cannot be released. Unfortunately,
she must live in captivity, but fortunately, she became a
part of our mission to educate the public! She is seen in
this video enjoying her first swim in her new habitat!
Tracy Leaver, founder and executive director of
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, was honored as a Leading Women Brand
Builder by the Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners
(LWE) at a dinner in Somerset on Oct. 17.
This American bald eagle was found right near Woodlands Wildlife
Refuge (WWR) and was not moving from a tree in a nearby residence
for days. The Raptor Trust (TRT) called on WWR to try to help capture
so we supported in any way we could! It was obvious the bird had
an injured leg, but it wasn't coming down from that tree to be helped!
After the 3rd day, and with the help to capture from Avian Wildlife
Center, TRT was able to get this bird for rehabilitation! It was
later found that the bird had been shot.
Woodlands
Documentary
We are pleased to announce that the documentary
about Woodlands which has been in the works for the past 8 months
has just been published! This documentary highlights the special
story of "Mike and Ike" the bears and the work done at
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge. For us it is cathartic and it will always
amaze us what a difference a single animal can make. Many thanks
to Andre and his fine work and to the rest of the NJ Advance Media
and NJ.com team. Your dedication to this project is truly appreciated.
Statements regarding the bi-pedal bear in
North Jersey
Click
here to visit her memorial donation page & to read Grace's
story
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Summer 2014 Update -
This one's just for FUN! A few weeks ago we successfully
moved 10 bears into their new habitat. Shortly after, we
received bear cub #11, "Tornado". All 11 cubs are happy
in their new enclosure which includes a pond, stream, waterfall,
two dens, two climbing structures, several tunnels, lots of greens,
and an occasional shower! Enjoy this video of bears having fun!
Click
here to see the photo album of their moving day! It takes
a lot to care for these animals. Donate towards their care by
clicking here.
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May 2014 Update -
Lady Jane
Canadian Lynx Explores Her New Enclosure For The First Time! YOU made this possible through last year's
Gala Cat House donation challenge!
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January 2014 Update -
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December 2013 Update -
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is proud to announce
that its founder and Executive Director, Tracy Leaver, received
the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ's Women & Wildlife Inspiration
Award on Dec. 4.
Alexandria Township's Woodlands
Wildlife Refuge announces 'Broke Leg Bear' book wins award - December
1st, 2012- Hunterdon
County Democrat
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August 2012 Update -
"N.J. wildlife refuge
gives injured, orphaned animals a second chance"- Aug 14, 2012-
Hunterdon County Democrat
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June 2012 Update -
May 10, 2012
Many thanks to The
Record! Click Here to
read the story regarding a yearling (18 month old) bear.
April 23rd,
2012
Click
Here to read the Suburban Trends article featuring the release
of our latest endangered bobcat, "Tina"! See the release
video here!
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December 2011 Update -
December
18th, 2011
Many
thanks to Courier News! Click
Here to read the front page story featuring Woodlands Wildlife
Refuge!
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March 2010 Update -
In October, all 8 bears were moved to the large bear enclosure to
continue their journey toward release in the spring. The bear that
suffered a bad concussion was determined completely healed and functional
in December. It was a great day when we watched as he ran and climbed
a tree after some of the other bears!
All of them are denning in the same den. It must
be very cozy in there. This winter's snow storms have given these
bears something to sleep through as well as play in! Watching yearling
bears romp and roll in the snow is just too funny. They must do
it in the wild as well. As one person said while watching, "If
they could make and throw snowball I am sure they would!"
These 8 bears will be released in the early summer to start again,
their lives in the wild as wild bears. We truly appreciate everyone's
support in caring for the bears.
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July 2009 Update -
Click above image for more photos!
In a mere 5 weeks we have once again received
8 orphaned bear cubs to care for!
One is from an unknown reason, as the cub was observed wandering
Motherless throughout neighborhoods in northern Jersey.
One fell 27 feet inside a hollow tree. Its Mother tried for three
days to dig him out until rescuers
cut a hole for him. Unfortunately, Mom never returned.
One was found lying in the road after being hit by a car and suffering
from serious heat trauma.
After five days of unconsciousness this little one is back on his
feet and slowly regaining all of his senses.
Two are siblings of a Mother that had to be destroyed after repeatedly
breaking into a garage.
Three siblings were brought to us after their Mother was killed
by a car.
As always, it is only through the support of a very generous public
that can continue the work we do for New Jerseys Wildlife.
Read
about Woodlands Wildlife Refuge in our Fall/Winter 2011 Newsletter
below!
Also, please click on the links below for
press coverage that the 2008 black bear
release events received!
"Woodlands prepares for bear release"
- May 28, 2008 The
Record Online (video)
"2 bears released back in the wild" - May 29, 2008 The
Star Ledger (story)
The bear cubs that arrived in June have grown a lot and are doing
very well. We recently moved Wicked (the first bear that arrived
in May) with “Broke Leg Bear” and they are both quite
happy! This is very good for Broke Leg Bear as she has not been
with another bear since her injury in June. Her recovery from a
serious leg repair surgery took quite some time. She is moving pretty
well now and there are few doubts she will be strong enough for
release in the spring. Click here
for photos and story of "Broke Leg Bear".
The new bear enclosure so many of you generously donated towards
is almost complete! This large construction project got started
just this month after many delays. The wonderful out pouring of
volunteer help to make this happen in record time has been magical.
We are expecting to move the bears into their new home very soon.
Click here
for photos of the 10 bear cubs including photos of the bear enclosure
project!
The bears are all doing great and thanks to ALL of you who have
already donated generously. We really need these funds...so please
keep them coming!
A Bobcat at Woodlands!
Thanksgiving week brought us a badly injured bobcat. She had been
struck by a car and took the full force in the face. Here injuries
included several broken teeth, a badly lacerated tongue and a bottom
lip just about torn off. To make it even worse she had a deep puncture
wound above her tail and was suffering from a bad concussion. A
quick emergency trip to the Clinton Perryville Animal Hospital and
a few x-rays later amazingly showed no additional injuries or fractures.
Dr. Niebojeski pulled remaining tooth fragments from her lip and
sutured it back into place. After a few days of a soft diet (not
easy to convince a bobcat to eat) she began to be able to bite small
amounts of harder food. Within 10 days she was eating her regular
food and behaving in more normal fashion. We are happy to say that
she has been moved to an outdoor enclosure and will be released
soon. Having the opportunity to help one of NJ's endangered species
is truly a wonderful experience. See her before and after photos
here!
For an informative brochure published by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection about living with
bears in New Jersey, click here.
Please note working with almost 600 wild animals
a year and preparing them for release prevents us from being open
to public visits. Please continue to check our web site for updates
on these precious cubs as well as other wild comings and goings
on at Woodlands.
Everyone at Woodlands greatly appreciates your support and generosity.
News
Archive
for past comings and goings - click on the year below
