As a follow-up to the September column, I’m submitting another written by the late Carleen Cote, published in the fall of 1999. As we prepare for colder weather, it seems like a good time to share some of her fond memories. “Over the years, hundreds of raccoons have called our Center ‘home.’ When they start Read More
Critter Chatter
Critter Chatter is published in the Town Line newspaper and reprinted on the Nature of Maine blog. This column is written by NRCM member Jayne Winters of South China and highlights the wildlife rehabilitation work of Donald Cote of Vassalboro, Maine, at the Duck Pond Wildlife Center.
Critter Chatter — Critter Release
Due to unexpected circumstances, I’m not able to prepare a new column for September. I feel it is appropriate, however, to submit an article written by the late Carleen Cote, which was published in September 2005 and is as applicable today as it was 15 years ago: Ah, sweet September! This is the month for Read More
Critter Chatter – The Tale (Tail) of Two Foxes
I love chatting with Donald Cote at the Duck Pond Wildlife Center. He always has a story (or two or three) to share and I never know what little critters I’ll find harbored in his living room and the area that used to be strictly for his late wife Carleen’s doll collection. My July visit Read More
Critter Chatter – Heartbreak at the Wildlife Care Center
Donald Cote and his late wife have operated the Duck Pond Wildlife Center for more than five decades. Five decades of 24/7 devoted care to nature, large and small, furred and feathered. While we naturally prefer to hear about the successful stories, the “feel good, happily-ever-after” anecdotes, there are certainly sad outcomes which are inevitable Read More
Critter Chatter—Speaking of Quarantine…Part II
All wild animals are hosts to parasites: internal, such as tape, hook, pin, or round worms, or external, such as mites, ticks, and fleas. Some of these little buggers (literally!) are also zoonotic (as noted in May’s article about rabies) and can infect animals as well as people. Mange is an itchy skin disease caused Read More
Critter Chatter: Speaking of Quarantine…Part I
As we try to adjust to social distancing, I wondered about what warrants quarantining at wildlife rehab centers. Indoor and outdoor caging is required to separate incoming injured, and perhaps sick, wild animals from people as well as other wild or domestic animals on site. It is imperative that personal safety and confinement protocols be Read More
Does This Maine Wildlife Need To Be Rescued?
We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but for wildlife rehabbers, April also brings desperate calls from well-meaning citizens who are concerned about young animals that appear to be alone. I’m sharing another post written by Carleen Cote regarding the issue of whether to rescue or not: “With the return of warmer, sunny Read More
Critter Chatter — Spring Supply Needs for Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation
*Please note that this piece was written before the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not encouraging people to go out to shop for any of the items mentioned in this edition of Critter Chatter. If we’re to believe the groundhog’s prediction that spring will come early this year, it seems appropriate to share a post written by Read More
Critter Chatter — Winter Break?
I think most of us would agree that, so far, Central Maine has experienced a fairly mild winter, especially in snow accumulation. Donald Cote of the Wildlife Care Center in Vassalboro has had to plow access to the wildlife enclosures only two or three times; snow-blowing and shoveling have been minimal. Icy paths, however, still Read More
