Mercer County Wildlife Center seeks donations for wildlife rescue effort

   Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes recently praised the employees and volunteer wildlife technicians at the Mercer County Wildlife Center for devoting 10-hour days to animal rescue efforts after the Nov. 26 oil spill on the lower Delaware River.
   He also called on the public to donate much-needed cleaning supplies, such as Dawn dishwashing detergent and towels and sheets, for the ongoing work to clean animals harmed by the oil spill.
   According to Coast Guard officials, as of Jan. 14 a total of 436 birds, one mammal and three reptiles had been taken in for treatment. Of those animals, 344 have been released and 60 died or were euthanized.
   Dead on arrival were 158 birds, five mammals and one reptile. Rescuers are still trying to catch 100 birds that need to be cleaned.
   Wildlife Center workers have taken the rescued birds to Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Del., and to a temporary facility organized and operated by Tri-State in Thorofare, located in Salem County.
   "(Mercer County Wildlife Center) Director Diane Nickerson tells me the work was laborious but the good success rate made our workers feel positive about their mission," Mr. Hughes said.
   While only highly trained animal rescue workers can be effective in this emergency, citizens seeking to help can donate much-needed supplies, Mr. Hughes said.
   Dawn blue dishwashing detergent, which is the only solution known to lift petroleum effectively from the animals’ bodies, and towels and sheets have been very valuable in cleaning the birds and other wildlife, Mr. Hughes said.
   Donors can drop supplies on the porch of the Wildlife Center on Route 29, 12 miles north of Trenton, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at the Park Commission offices on the fourth floor of the McDade County Building, 640 South Broad St., Trenton, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Donations should be labeled "Tri-State."