Issue 15 -- LAND, SEA, & AIR MAIL

November 2001

How do you care for a fallen bird? What about a thousand-plus pound gray whale? In November’s LAND, SEA, & AIR MAIL, you’ll see how SeaWorld and Busch Gardens cares for ill and injured wildlife all year long.

Dozens of endangered green sea turtles
are rehabilitated at SeaWorld

This month's activities have K-3 grade students exploring manatee homes and dolphin dangers, 4-8 grade students analyze dolphin behavior and calculate the impact of an oil spill on penguin populations, and 9-12 grade students debate the fate of fur seals and try their hands at laboratory procedures while growing bacteria.

For more information on the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation program, see our online book.

Looking for back issues or activities on a certain topic? We have organized our activities from past LSA issues on one page for easy reference.

Featured Teacher

Miss Stacy Bruce teaches fifth grade at Ascension Catholic School in Melbourne, Florida. Check out what her class has studied this year!

Teaching about the environment is not always easy. Do you know a teacher who’s figured out a unique way to inspire students, communicate concepts, or encourage exploration? What about a school that has dedicated itself to a project? We want to hear about them. Use our easy entry form to nominate your favorite school or teacher.

Julie's Journal
This month Julie Scardina, SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador, recounts the history of the company's rescue and rehabilitation program and the important lesson it teaches.

Conservation Partners: National Geographic Society
Created by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports the conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats by attracting diverse investments to conservation and encouraging locally supported stewardship on private and public lands. Read about the 10 individuals who won $10,000 scholarships under the 2001 Budweiser Conservation Scholarship program.

Have You Seen This?

Here are some organizations that help rescue and rehabilitate wildlife.

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association

The Wildlife Center of Virgina

Go Environ-mental!

Animal rescues do not need to be spectacular events involving exotic animals and hundreds of people. Here are a few simple ideas to help stray or injured animals in your backyard or neighborhood.

1.	In spring and summer, songbirds often nest in backyard trees. If you find a bird on the ground, uninjured and with downy (fuzzy feathers) you can guess the bird fell out of its nest. If possible, put the bird back in the tree using a shoebox or margarine tub filled with torn tissue and taped or tied to the tree. For more tips see Project Wildlife’s Web site.
2.	Cats let loose to roam the yard during the day and at night often hunt small animals and birds. The “trophy” your cat brings home may well be the last of its kind in your area. To protect local small wildlife, it is best to put a bell around your cat’s neck and limit time spent outdoors. Better yet, keep your cat indoors.
3.	Be aware of hazardous or poisonous substances used in the yard. Puddles of radiator fluid is toxic to many animals. Overuse of garden pesticides can kill. Read labels carefully.
4.	Do you have extra hours during the week or on the weekend? Volunteer at wild life center or humane society or vet office.

COMING NEXT MONTH

Are you into recycling? If so, peek into the often unseen world of nature’s recyclers. From bacteria and fungus to earthworms and other large detritus eaters, learn about the most important link in earth’s food webs.

An example of a rotating compost bin at SeaWorld San Diego's Garden of Discovery.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database
http://www.seaworld.org/ / http://www.buschgardens.org/