CROW turns 40 celebrates with new Visitor Education Center

courtesy photo CROW's new visitor education center will provide guests with an interactive experience to immerse them in the world of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Get a behind-the-scenes look at a wildlife hospital, play "Be the Vet," and be one of the first to tour Southwest Florida's newest attraction, when the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife celebrates its 40th anniversary and the grand opening of its new Healing Winds Visitor Education Center and wildlife hospital on Jan. 25. The free event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island, with parking at The Sanibel School.

"The new Visitor Education Center gives us the tools to educate the public on our organization, and perhaps more importantly, how to peacefully co-exist with the wildlife in our area," said Dr. P.J. Deitschel, staff veterinarian and clinic director. "We hope everyone who visits will walk away more knowledgeable about protecting our native wildlife."

Established in 1968, CROW has developed a reputation as one of the nation's leading wildlife rehabilitation hospitals for native and migratory wildlife. However, much if its work has been unknown to the public. Now, area residents and visitors finally have a chance to learn first-hand about the organization's mission and see what happens "behind the scenes."

Malone Design Fabrication, a company that has worked with museums such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the Statue of Liberty National Monument, designed CROW's new Visitor Education Center. The center will provide guests with an interactive experience to immerse them in the world of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

In the touch-screen game, "Be The Vet," participants will try to diagnose patients based on multiple-choice questions, and in "Daily Care" they will identify appropriate treatment options. Other educational displays will include case studies that walk visitors through the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release of CROW patients.

In addition to the new Visitor Education Center, this spring CROW will open a new, upgraded 4,800-square-foot wildlife hospital. Highlights of the new hospital include a digital X-ray machine, a pediatric ward with multiple incubators for infant patients, an isolation ward for infectious disease control, an enlarged reptile room with three "pools" to accommodate injured sea turtles, a surgery room with viewing window, walk-in freezer and custom lighting to accommodate different species. At the grand opening event, CROW staff will lead guided tours of the nearly completed hospital. Public tours will not be available once the hospital is fully operational. n