People, animals mix at wildlife rescue fundraiser in St. Charles

Lucy, a Canada goose, may only be able to "speak" by honking. But if she possessed the power of speech, she would likely have plenty to say.

Indeed, she was quite receptive to being fed apples and romaine lettuce, and even seemed to comprehend when addressed by name Sunday at a fundraiser for the Fox Valley Wildlife Center.

For its Wild About Wildlife fundraiser at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles, the Elburn-based center trotted out some of its "residents," who are being kept rather than released into the wild because they identify more with humans than their animal peers.

Andrea Krueger, president of the Fox Valley Wildlife Center board, said Lucy was brought to the center by the parents of the little girl who had raised her, intending ultimately release her into the wild. But it was too late - she already identified with people.

"Because she acted different, geese picked on her," said Krueger, a Campton Hills resident. "We tried releasing her twice, and she followed us back to the car."

The center takes in injured and orphaned wildlife, rehabilitates them and then releases them when possible. Laura Kirk, director of animal care for the Fox Valley Wildlife Center, sees close to 3,000 animals per year.

"Our main goal is to release them back into the wild," she said. "Since they are wild animals, that's really where they belong."

There are some exceptions, including Lucy and Ciega, a Virginia opossum who became blind after being hit by a car. Kirk said the opossum is like a kangaroo in the sense that it has a pouch, where its young are raised. They also help reduce the tick population and slow the spread of Lyme disease.

Another resident is Zihna, a red-tailed hawk who had severe head trauma, probably also from being hit by a car. During his recovery, Zihna came to associate more with people than his own species.

"When we received him, his head was actually completely upside down, and he couldn't stay upright. He would fall off of his perch and just kind of spin around in circles," Kirk said.

Melissa Jankowski of Naperville said she learned a lot during Kirk's presentation. She heard about the event from a friend who volunteers at the center, and thought her 9-year-old son, Ethan, would get a kick out of seeing the animals up close.

Ethan said he was impressed with Zihna and "how big the wings are."

Also there was Buffalo Grove resident and Stevenson High School student Carissa Silet, an aspiring zoo veterinarian who said she is interested in volunteering at the center.