CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – An organization that takes in and cares for injured or orphaned wildlife is marking its 15th year in rehabilitation.
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabiltation has been around for 16 years, but it was 15 years ago Wednesday that it took in its first "patient."
Since then, says founder Dawn Keller, Flint Creek has cared for more than 38,000 animals. They have ranged from raccoons, foxes and coyotes to hummingbirds, American white pelicans and bald eagles. In one case, a coyote was struck by a vehicle and got lodged in its grille – but survived.
"The animals keep you going," Keller said.
At any one time, 100 to more than 300 animals are being cared for by her and her volunteer force of about 120 people on 7.5 acres in Barrington. The organization also has a limited facility on Northerly Island in Chicago. It's used as an intake center and triage for injured animals in the city.
They were eventually released into the wild at Starved Rock State Park as about 800 people watched.
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is not a business and gets no government money. For more information about what it does, go here.
