Published: September 03, 2008 09:23 am            

‘The only way they will survive’

Local resident runs wildlife rescue

Racquel Ringling petted the striped back of Lucky, a pet skunk she is trying to get ready for the wild. Two other skunks padded around in an outdoor pen at the edge of Ringling’s yard.

In a second pen, a shy raccoon scampered to hide.

“The dog will mess with them sometimes and get sprayed but we never have,” said Ringling, cuddling the friendly Lucky.

Ringling, Pryor, runs a wildlife refuge for injured or orphaned animals. She is following the steps of her mother, Debbie Ringling, who rehabbed animals when Ringling was a girl.

Ringling started training to rescue wildlife four years ago after baby possums were found in her parents’ barn.

She tried to feed the possums but realized they were dying in spite of her efforts. She went online to search for helpful tips and found Annette Tucker, owner of Wildheart Ranch in Foyil.

She took the possums to Tucker, who raised them and began training Ringling to care for orphaned and injured wildlife.

Ringling had to work for a year with Tucker before acquiring her own permit to care for wildlife. She said Tucker taught her everything she needed to know. Ringling had to set up proper cages and find a veterinarian willing to treat wildlife.

Ringling’s veterinarian is Dr. Lesleigh Cash-Warren of Hooves, Paws & Claws in Claremore. Ringling said Pryor Veterinary Hospital is very helpful by calling in medications when she needs them.

Volunteers help out at Ringling’s wildlife refuge.

“I’m here every day,” said Brittany Sexton of Pryor.

Alex and Keely Brown of Locust Grove help out during the summer and on weekends.

Ringling said toward the end of March the babies start pouring in. People who find baby animals call the game warden, who then contacts Ringling or gives out her number.

A second baby season comes in late summer, when she will take in young squirrels and raccoons.

Ringling cares for 200 to 500 animals each year. She took in 50 baby

raccoons last spring, along with numerous

cottontail rabbits, possums, skunks, squirrels and birds.

“There’s always lots of bunnies,” she said.

Ringling raised an armadillo two years ago and nursed a fox last year. Once she had a flying squirrel.

“We take everything,” she said.

An orphaned beaver Ringling recently released lives in a pond near her home.

Most wildlife that come to Ringling’s home are cold, dehydrated and near death. Infant wildlife must be warmed so they can take nourishment. After they are warm, Ringling hydrates them for the first 24 hours with glucose water. She feeds the babies kitten or puppy formula, depending on the animal.

Ringling said cow’s milk will eventually kill baby wildlife. She once received a baby raccoon had been fed goat’s milk, which stunted its growth.

When the babies are weaned, they go outside to the big cages, where they are no longer handled.

“We want them wild and mean,” Ringling said. “It’s the only way they will survive.”

At six months old the wildlife are able to find their own food and take care of themselves in the wild.

“Releasing them’s the best part,” said Sexton.

Ringling released 50 raccoons at a lake last fall. She described watching them run and play and climb trees. She said “frogs were everywhere,” and the freed coons scurried to catch them.

Ringling stressed that it is illegal for anyone to keep wildlife for pets. Mayes County Game Warden Steve Loveland only issues permits to those with the required experience and knowledge. A wildlife rescue must have the appropriate setup to house the animals.

Besides taking in wildlife, Ringling has a pet grooming business called Wag’N Tails. The business helps fund her organization, but she’s in need of volunteers and donations.

Ringling said any donations are welcome. She can use blankets, newspapers, baby bottles, dog and cat food, puppy and kitten formula, towels, newspapers, tarps and pet dishes.

Though Ringling enjoys saving and raising wildlife, she said it’s not all fun.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” she said.

        

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