You might think that winter is a respite for Don Cote and the three “regular” volunteers at the wildlife center. While it’s true they don’t have admissions of newborn animals, the months after fall releases and before springtime births are hardly quiet. There are still critters on-site that were not old enough or healthy enough 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 – Gray Fox: In a Class of Its Own
Don Cote of Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab has a soft spot for foxes. Although he rehabs mostly reds, I sense he’s partial to the grays. When I visited a few weeks ago, he led me to an enclosure that housed a beautiful gray fox, which will be released this spring, and proceeded to explain the Read More
Critter Chatter — A Pet Peeve
When talking to Donald Cote at his Vassalboro Wildlife Center last month he mentioned one of his pet peeves: owners of exotic pets releasing them into the wild after they get bored with them or can no longer provide the care required. Buying, breeding, selling, and owning exotics are a big–and often illegal–business; purchases can Read More
Fishers: Important Predators of the Wildlife Community
Typically, one or two fishers are brought to the Wildlife Center each year for rehabilitation. I’ve only seen photos of them, so was interested in learning more after discovering one was in residence with Don Cote this past summer. And when I say “in residence,” I mean that literally, as it was kept in a Read More
Critter Chatter – Critter Release, Part II
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 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
