Eastman Outdoors: Eagle Scouts

Wildlife Rehabilitation Release Pen

One of the Eagle Scout projects completed at the Nature and Wildlife Habitat Center was the design and construction of a wildlife rehabilitation release pen. Rehabilitated animals and birds that were injured on Eastman property or abandoned are released into the wild gradually by placing them in the release pen to allow them to become accustomed to the natural environment. Food and water are provided until they are able to provide for themselves.

Mr. Bill Speer (pictured) is an Eastman retiree and is federally licensed to rehabilitate wildlife. Mr. Speer, with April Moore, his apprentice, are shown demonstrating the gradual release of a rehabilitated fox squirrel that had fallen from its nest not long after its birth. Mr. Speer and Ms. Moore raised the tiny squirrel to juvenile adulthood before bringing it to the release pen. The squirrel stayed in the pen for about two weeks, and was fed and watered. After becoming accustomed to the new environment, the pen door was propped open for the squirrel to come and go, providing it the opportunity to return for food and water if unsuccessful finding it in the wild. Eventually, the squirrel learned to find food and water, and did not return to the pen.

The pen has been a temporary haven for raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife that have been successfully reintroduced into the wild.