MAINE WILDLIFE FARM FEED STORY, JUNE 18, 2004 BY ELLIE FELLERS

Jose took pix to go with this story, A little long, but take an ax!!! Ellie

Moose youngsters introduced to appreciative public

GRAY – The twin moose calves peered out from the barn at the Maine Wildlife Park where they have been nurtured for the past four weeks.

He paused, then entered a grassy, fenced pasture for the first time and took a few guarded steps. She followed and stopped. Suddenly, he burst into a gallop, running along the fence, turning and doing it again. Soon they were galloping through the grass as bystanders watched.

“They are adorable, very recognizable,” said Margo Zembas of Auburn, who unexpectedly arrived at Friday’s public debut for the 5-week-old pair at the popular park on Route 26 in Gray.

“Cool,” said 12-year-old Edward “EJ” Zembas of Auburn. “Cool,” echoed his friend Mike DeVoe, also of Auburn.

The calves were found abandoned in Fort Kent last month when they were only a few days old and transported to the park, Superintendent Henry Hamilton said.

The Wildlife Park frequently becomes a depository for young animals that people think have been abandoned or orphaned, often ensuring them a lifetime in captivity. People assume in many cases that a young animal out on its own has been orphaned or abandoned by its parent, said Hamilton.

“This is generally not the case,” he said.

The park’s policy – “If you care, leave them there” – reminds people that in most cases it’s best to leave young wildlife alone. In most cases, they do not need to be saved.

Only if a wild animal or bird has been injured or is known to have been orphaned is it legal to assist the animal by taking it to a wildlife center or a wildlife rehabilitator. In those cases, they ask that people leave their name, address and phone number as well as a description of how the animal was found.

“Maine has a glorious rehabilitation system all over the state,” Hamilton said. “People donate time, space and money to rehabilitate wild animals.”

They must be licensed by the state, and migratory bird rehabilitators must have a federal license. Training and testing are required, and excellent facility space is required to care and rehabilitate wild animals.

In Maine, the public is banned from possessing any native animals. The Wildlife Park is currently taking care of several fawns and a young woodchuck, in addition to the moose twins.

Three bobcat kittens are thriving at the park. A 20-year-old male bobcat and a female bobcat who live at the park produced the litter – to the surprise of the gamekeepers. The kittens were farmed out to caregivers for several weeks when the mother was unable to nurse them.

It’s uncertain whether the moose calves will be able to return to the wild. Hamilton said that decision will be made this fall.