Wheeler NWR 70th Anniversary Celebration

Last Saturday there were big doings here at the Refuge, the 70th Aniversary Party! There was a Wildlife Show, a Birds of Prey Show, and archery demonstration by Byron Ferguson, lots of activities for everyone!!! Don't have the official count yet, but I'm sure we had over 3000 attendees at the area around the Visitor's Center. I was in the Center all day fielding questions and monitoring the Wildlife Shows which were in the theatre. Bill was everywhere, helping everyone, and answering inqueries too. So yesterday was a very long day, we were very happy to get home and put our feet up, needless to say, we both promptly fell asleep in our chairs!!! But we both had fun and are happy that it only lasted one day!

There was face painting and birdfeeders with peanut butter, pinecones, and seeds.

We also had lots of food and of course, a huge birthday cake to mark the occasion. That's Dwight Cooley, Refuge Manager and Teresa Adams, Supervisory Ranger.

We had a visit from the Fish and Wildlife Mascot, the Blue Goose, who received lots
of hugs from all the kids.

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There were archery demonstrations by Byron Ferguson

(you hunters may have seen him on TV).

Bill checking out all the bows.

The theatre at the Visitor's Center has about 100 seats and each Wildlife Show was filled to overflowing; folks were seated on the floor and leaning against the walls just to see the show presented by Larry and Cheryl Battson. They brought with them an assortment of snakes, a boa constrictor, a gila monster, a Servil cat, a baboon, and a wolf. The Battson's have a private wildlife refuge in Indiana and do educational programs in schools around Indiana and are venturing further out now. They put on a great program and stayed to answer questions after each performance.

Larry Battson with Gila Monster

Cheryl Battson with Wolf

This is an internet photo of a Servil Cat (a native of Africa), no pix allowed as flashes really spook the cat.

Cheryl and the Boa Constrictor

In addition to the animals, we had a fantastic Birds of Prey program and as with the animals, every performance was full to overflowing. The birds are from the Bartlett Conservatory and represent only a fraction of the birds that have been rescued and either returned to the wild or when that is not possible, homes are found in zoos or educational programs. The young lady (unfortunately I did not get her name) was not only knowledgeable but also highly entertaining!

Redtail Hawk

Great Horned Owl

Falcon (with hood )



Eurasian Owl (note the feathery talons - weighs over 7 lbs.)

There were more interesting things and interesting folks at the celebration, but we will save it for the next episode.