"This is Freedom—as a good a name as any," Thomas Young said,gesturing to a mature bald eagle perched within a large wirecage. "Freedom is going to have his freedom if I have to sell mysoul to get his wing fixed."
Discovered in Cairo, Oklahoma, Freedom suffered from two bulletwounds, and Young, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, masterfalconer and ornithologist, received the injured eagle from theArkansas Game & Fish Commission. As Director of the ArkansasNative Plant & Wildlife Center at Queen Wilhelmina State Park,Young oversees the care, rehabilitation and release of hundredsof animals, including native wildlife such as black bears, deer,cougars, bobcats, wolves, coyotes and, of course, birds of preylike Freedom.
In a fundraising effort to finance Freedom's wing surgery, Youngenlisted another resident raptor named Micro, an Americankestral, which is the smallest and most common of falcons. Threesparrows were trapped inside the Wal-Mart in Mena, and thestore's owners promised a generous donation to the Centerpending Micro's successful disposal of the feathered intruders.
Young upheld his promise, setting free a mended Freedom inJanuary and marking the 23rd bald eagle release of his career.In addition, he has released 12 bears, 18 golden eagles andthousands of hawks and owls during his 19 years of wildliferehabilitation work.
"Tom is one of the most dedicated persons I know," assertedJoyce Tinsley, Park Superintendent of Queen Wilhelmina StatePark. "His every waking moment is consumed with the WildlifeCenter, rehab work and keeping his dream alive! I am veryimpressed with what he is accomplishing with the Center. Ourguests have reported ‘life-changing' experiences due to Tom'svision and one-on-one visits with Tom and the animals."
With over 100 injured, ill and orphaned wild animals in hischarge, Young's days are filled with administering veterinarycare and physical therapy, feeding, medicating, exercising andpre-release conditioning his charges. "The goal here is torelease everything that I can before it gets any colder," hedeclared. On the other hand, some animals are ineligible forrelease yet provide the Center with valuable research or becomeeducational aids for awareness programs.
One such animal at the Center is a black bear named Harold. As acub, Harold was kidnapped from his den and given parvo anddistemper vaccines meant for dogs; now Harold, infected for lifebecause of his previous owner's ignorance, must remain incaptivity. Other mammalian inhabitants include a razorback namedRazor, a bobcat called Tigger and Sheena, a formidable mountainlion and Young's favorite wrestling partner.
Currently, the Center houses 57 birds of prey. Genghis, ared-tailed hawk, is a falconry bird that hunts on behalf of theother raptors at the Center. While Young drives down the road at60-70 mph, Genghis eyes prey from the road, namely crows, andthen darts from the window of the moving truck, returning with afresh supply of food.
Buzzy is an uncanny black vulture, born on Black Fork Mountainbut raised at the Center. "The darling of the park" according toTinsley, Buzzy fledged and was released, but he never left thepark. He frequents the lodge when the Center is closed, and heis famous for befriending guests and tirelessly following Young."Buzzy is highly underrated as far as intelligence. I'd put himup there with a 3-year-old child," commented Young. "He's thezoo's jester. He's always up to something."
Young also cares for a pair of Harris hawks. Naturally socialbirds, these hawks are unusual because they hunt in pairs oreven groups. Referred to as the "Cadillacs of the falconer'sworld" by Young, Harris hawks are ideal for falconry meetsbecause they cooperatively hunt prey without killing one another.
Snow, a precious gift to the Center from a falconer inWisconsin, is one of very few white peregrine falcons in theworld. Birds like Snow average life spans of 80 to 100 years."Snow is 32," remarked Young, supporting the beautifullypristine bird on his right hand. "I'm 34, so he'll outlive meeasily."
Clyde is an 8-year-old alligator that Young discovered at LakeDeGray. During the winter months, Clyde stays in one of 3temperature-controlled reptile houses with more than 70hibernating snakes, including a huge state-record rattlesnakeand a pygmy rattlesnake.
Raised from a baby, Bunny is a full-grown squirrel, but Young iswaiting to release him until the time is right. "All thesquirrels from last year have been spending all summer gatheringacorns to last through the winter. He doesn't have that stash,so he has to wait until spring." Releases must be planned forthe appropriate season, weather, habitat and location.
During May and June, the Center "gets boxfuls of baby squirrels,raccoons and skunks," revealed Young. With up to 1,000 bottlebabies, Young and a team of volunteers work constantly tonurture the newly born animals. Young keeps an arsenal of thefollowing items during this busy season: 15 cans of goat's milk,customized formulas, kitten milk replacement, puppy milkreplacement, 10 gallons of produce, 15 pounds of dog food andbottles of vitamins A, B, C and D.
Normally the Center's weekly average cost for food is $146.00,which covers corn and grain for the herbivores as well as meatand fish for the large mammals and raptors. However, during thespring and the following months, costs can increase to $8,129.48in perishables over a solid 5-month period.
A non-profit organization, the Center operates largely ondonations and offers wildlife programs and educational tours. Tolearn more about wildlife rehabilitation, inquire aboutvolunteer opportunities or schedule a visit to the Center,contact Thomas or LaVonda Young at 479.437.3750 or 479.243.0976.
Please send tax-deductible donations to the following address:
Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center 307 Westmoreland DriveMena, Arkansas 71953 479.437.3750
Discovered in Cairo, Oklahoma, Freedom suffered from two bulletwounds, and Young, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, masterfalconer and ornithologist, received the injured eagle from theArkansas Game & Fish Commission. As Director of the ArkansasNative Plant & Wildlife Center at Queen Wilhelmina State Park,Young oversees the care, rehabilitation and release of hundredsof animals, including native wildlife such as black bears, deer,cougars, bobcats, wolves, coyotes and, of course, birds of preylike Freedom.
In a fundraising effort to finance Freedom's wing surgery, Youngenlisted another resident raptor named Micro, an Americankestral, which is the smallest and most common of falcons. Threesparrows were trapped inside the Wal-Mart in Mena, and thestore's owners promised a generous donation to the Centerpending Micro's successful disposal of the feathered intruders.
Young upheld his promise, setting free a mended Freedom inJanuary and marking the 23rd bald eagle release of his career.In addition, he has released 12 bears, 18 golden eagles andthousands of hawks and owls during his 19 years of wildliferehabilitation work.
"Tom is one of the most dedicated persons I know," assertedJoyce Tinsley, Park Superintendent of Queen Wilhelmina StatePark. "His every waking moment is consumed with the WildlifeCenter, rehab work and keeping his dream alive! I am veryimpressed with what he is accomplishing with the Center. Ourguests have reported ‘life-changing' experiences due to Tom'svision and one-on-one visits with Tom and the animals."
With over 100 injured, ill and orphaned wild animals in hischarge, Young's days are filled with administering veterinarycare and physical therapy, feeding, medicating, exercising andpre-release conditioning his charges. "The goal here is torelease everything that I can before it gets any colder," hedeclared. On the other hand, some animals are ineligible forrelease yet provide the Center with valuable research or becomeeducational aids for awareness programs.
One such animal at the Center is a black bear named Harold. As acub, Harold was kidnapped from his den and given parvo anddistemper vaccines meant for dogs; now Harold, infected for lifebecause of his previous owner's ignorance, must remain incaptivity. Other mammalian inhabitants include a razorback namedRazor, a bobcat called Tigger and Sheena, a formidable mountainlion and Young's favorite wrestling partner.
Currently, the Center houses 57 birds of prey. Genghis, ared-tailed hawk, is a falconry bird that hunts on behalf of theother raptors at the Center. While Young drives down the road at60-70 mph, Genghis eyes prey from the road, namely crows, andthen darts from the window of the moving truck, returning with afresh supply of food.
Buzzy is an uncanny black vulture, born on Black Fork Mountainbut raised at the Center. "The darling of the park" according toTinsley, Buzzy fledged and was released, but he never left thepark. He frequents the lodge when the Center is closed, and heis famous for befriending guests and tirelessly following Young."Buzzy is highly underrated as far as intelligence. I'd put himup there with a 3-year-old child," commented Young. "He's thezoo's jester. He's always up to something."
Young also cares for a pair of Harris hawks. Naturally socialbirds, these hawks are unusual because they hunt in pairs oreven groups. Referred to as the "Cadillacs of the falconer'sworld" by Young, Harris hawks are ideal for falconry meetsbecause they cooperatively hunt prey without killing one another.
Snow, a precious gift to the Center from a falconer inWisconsin, is one of very few white peregrine falcons in theworld. Birds like Snow average life spans of 80 to 100 years."Snow is 32," remarked Young, supporting the beautifullypristine bird on his right hand. "I'm 34, so he'll outlive meeasily."
Clyde is an 8-year-old alligator that Young discovered at LakeDeGray. During the winter months, Clyde stays in one of 3temperature-controlled reptile houses with more than 70hibernating snakes, including a huge state-record rattlesnakeand a pygmy rattlesnake.
Raised from a baby, Bunny is a full-grown squirrel, but Young iswaiting to release him until the time is right. "All thesquirrels from last year have been spending all summer gatheringacorns to last through the winter. He doesn't have that stash,so he has to wait until spring." Releases must be planned forthe appropriate season, weather, habitat and location.
During May and June, the Center "gets boxfuls of baby squirrels,raccoons and skunks," revealed Young. With up to 1,000 bottlebabies, Young and a team of volunteers work constantly tonurture the newly born animals. Young keeps an arsenal of thefollowing items during this busy season: 15 cans of goat's milk,customized formulas, kitten milk replacement, puppy milkreplacement, 10 gallons of produce, 15 pounds of dog food andbottles of vitamins A, B, C and D.
Normally the Center's weekly average cost for food is $146.00,which covers corn and grain for the herbivores as well as meatand fish for the large mammals and raptors. However, during thespring and the following months, costs can increase to $8,129.48in perishables over a solid 5-month period.
A non-profit organization, the Center operates largely ondonations and offers wildlife programs and educational tours. Tolearn more about wildlife rehabilitation, inquire aboutvolunteer opportunities or schedule a visit to the Center,contact Thomas or LaVonda Young at 479.437.3750 or 479.243.0976.
Please send tax-deductible donations to the following address:
Arkansas Native Plant & Wildlife Center 307 Westmoreland DriveMena, Arkansas 71953 479.437.3750
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