OkcPets Magazine March 2023

40 OKC Pets • March / April 2023 that are prone to bird collisions. (1) Mark the window on the outside with soap or tempera paint. (2) Decorate with decals, stickers, suncatchers, Mylar strips, masking tape, or other objects (even sticky notes). These are effective only when spaced very closely. (3) Cover the window with bird tape, which is long lasting and offers an eas- ier way to apply the correct spacing of dots. (4) Affix screens or taut nets. The screens must be on the outside of the window and must cover the entire surface. (5) Cover the window with one-way transparent film — you can see out, but the window will be opaque on the outside. This can reduce the amount of light that comes into your win- dow and help to reduce cooling costs too. Measures such as these can save the lives of thousands of birds and prevent them from needing help from WildCare Oklaho- ma or another wildlife rehabilitator. Orphaned Bobcat Kittens In early December 2022, WildCare admit- ted two young bobcat kittens after their den had been destroyed by construction activities. The rescuers had attempted to reunite the kittens with their mother by leaving them near the den and watching for the mother’s return. (When possible, Wild- Care encourages members of the public to attempt to reunite baby animals with their parents.) After several days, the mother had not returned, and the rescuers presumed she had been killed. They immediately brought the kittens to WildCare. WildCare’s team completed a physical examination and found that the kittens were dehydrated and underweight. The team also estimated that they were only about four weeks old. Unfortunately, one kitten died within a day. The other kitten, however, survived. With constant care by WildCare’s animal-care team — coming in early and staying late to make sure the kitten had everything she needed, including regular feedings — her dehydration was reversed, and she gained weight. She is now fully weaned, eating on her own, and eagerly exploring her surroundings. WildCare is also caring for two or- phaned juvenile bobcats that came in as older kittens in September 2022. To mini- mize the chance of habituation to humans, WildCare’s team has been slowly intro- ducing the little kitten to the older pair, hoping they will bond with one another as a small family group of three. Introducing the young bobcats to one another has been A male painted bunting was brought toWildCare Oklahoma after an unfortunate collision with a window. He has recovered fully. One of two juvenile bobcats at WildCare Oklahoma looks down cautiously from his high hang- out. The juveniles are forming a family group with the baby female bobcat at WildCare.