Page 44 - Harnett Life Fall 2021

A Wild Life

Center for

Wildlife Rescue,

Rehabilitation,

and Release

By Rebekah McLean

Olive, is one our most successful rehab stories. She came to
us badly injured requiring surgery and almost lost her life a
couple times during her first week with us. She was not
releasable and now lives at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke
Island. This photo was taken at the aquarium.

It’s just another day living “a wild life”! The phone rings once can visit and learn more about our native wildlife. The found-
again just as the volunteers settle down to eat lunch. This is ers’ love and fascination for these animals drives their desire to
the tenth caller since 8:00 a.m. and they have found an injured educate people of all ages on the magnificence of these crea-
wild animal in need of medical care. Quickly, rescue and trans- tures and hopes to pass on their own passion for wildlife to
portation arrangements begin to be made and within a short others. Despite COVID-19 limitations beginning shortly after
while the animal has been admitted to A Wild Life: Center for the rehab opened, they have been able to attend a few summer
Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release. A Wild Life is a camps for kids teaching them about what to do when a wild
wildlife rehabilitation center formally located in Lumberton, animal is found in need of care.
NC, but frequently serves eight surrounding counties.
A Wild Life currently operates on monetary contributions and
The center takes in native wild animals that are orphaned or supplies donated from the public. All donations are so very
injured, rehabilitates them, and releases them back to the wild greatly appreciated and much needed. They can be mailed to or
when they have successfully completed rehab. The 501c3 not dropped off at 6422 Seventh Street Rd. Lumberton, NC 2858.
for profit organization was started in 2019 by NC licensed wild- You can also contact them at 910-876-7688 or 910-225-0732
life rehabilitators Dawn Benner and Rebekah Kriston. It has regarding donations or if you have found a wild animal in need
grown to include another fully licensed wildlife rehabilitator, of help. If you are online, like and follow their Facebook page
three licensed apprentices, and several other faithful volunteers or visit their website at www.rehabawildlife.org for other ways
who help with rescue and transportation. Within the last year, to donate, contact them, or stay updated on the animals in re-
the rehab has helped well over 800 animals, which includes a hab.
variety of species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Please also feel free to contact A Wild Life if you are interested
in volunteering and helping save lives. Rescue and transporta-
The rehab currently works out of the homes of its members, but tion volunteers are always needed. They are also currently in
the founders have a dream of one day seeing a common center need of volunteers to help with cage building. It’s definitely “a
facility centrally located in southeastern NC that will house a wild life”, but they wouldn’t have it any other way!
rehabilitation hospital and education center so that the public

Page 44 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2021