By Nancy Cowing Umphres

It's been a soggy few days at the Zapata Wildlife Rescue. At least four inches of rain have fallen in the past three days and the mud gets a bit deeper after each shower. They started digging sewer lines for our neighborhood about a century ago; at least it seems like a century. Just getting in and out of our subdivision is a bit like conquering a maze with many dead ends, deep pits, mud slicks, and sink holes. It reminds me of one of my son's old video games minus the blood and gore.
Luckily the rain has come with very little wind, just drenching downpours that remind me of my early days in the rain forests of Belize. High winds always bring in many traumatized birds, usually nestlings that have been blown from their nests or that have lost them altogether. Thankfully many of our emergency callers will take the time to contruct a new nest and replace the little ones back in the trees they came from. There are times when this is impossible; for example, when the bird has an injury or the new nest can't be replaced high enough away from predators, but in most cases replacement is the best option.
Since it has been fairly quiet on the incoming animal front, we have been trying to do some much-needed repairs on some of our old cages. We actually were able to finish major repairs on one of our original pens that has been out of commission for several years. It's suited for mammals as well as birds and has been sorely missed. I don't like to even think about all the other repairs that are needed, although I do have an extensive list stuck on our fridge.
Working in the boiling humidity is difficult enough without the flair-up of my various arthritic conditions. I never thought I would miss the dry Zapata heat. The damp seems to seep into every muscle and joint and cause incredible pain. I keep trying to think of the rising waters of Falcon Lake and not complain or curse too loudly, although I would not recommend those with delicate ears be in close proximity during my attempts to hammer in a simple nail.
The three orphaned cottontail rabbits that we released several months ago are thriving, thanks to the rains. If you remember from a past article, Meadow, our pet domestic rat, helped raised them and even taught them to use their exercise wheel. They were very fit little bunnies upon release.
There is a one-lot thicket next to my mother's house that is a haven for all forms of wildlife; from rabbits to tortoises to songbirds, it has become a home for dozens of species. My mother's native tree and plant-filled yard is an extension of their haven and is filled with their songs. The only downside is her dog Toby, who has managed to get skunked on a regular basis (28 times and counting).
My mother has only managed to get sprayed once, just before a trip to the nursing home to visit my father. She decided to be left off at the library instead, rather than having to explain the aroma to the nursing staff. I don't believe anything was mentioned at the library.
Hagrid, the orphaned bobcat kitten I wrote about last month, is doing very well and is now, thankfully, weaned. One of our domestic cats has adopted him more as a sibling than a mother and made things much easier for him. The loss of his family was very traumatic for him. He called and cried for three days before Rupricktina, our last adopted domestic stray cat, decided to become his sister. Soon he will move into the large bobcat run with Luna, our foster mother bobcat, and prepare for his eventual release. We have already chosen the perfect isolated spot for his future home.

(The Zapata Wildlife Rescue Center can be contacted by mail at 6812 STOP 68A, Zapata, TX 78076-2913, by phone at (956) 765-8526, or e-mail at dreams@zapata.border.net. Those interested in visiting should call ahead for directions.)