In the News
Ducklings Rescued from Storm Drain
Click link for full article: Rescuers save ducklings after they fell into Marlborough storm drain
MARLBOROUGH — A team of rescuers helped save three baby ducks that had fallen into a storm drain Monday in downtown Marlborough.
The ducklings had fallen into a drain at the busy intersection of Bolton Street and Granger Boulevard.
Alyssa Giaquinto, of The Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, along with the Marlborough Animal Control Officer and members of the Marlborough Police and Public Works departments all worked together to rescue the ducklings from the drain.
According to Giaquinto, police were contacted by a resident who saw an adult duck walking back and forth into traffic near a storm drain at the intersection. Giaquinto was then contacted due to concerns that animals might be in danger.
"Around this time of year, when water fowl are having their babies, if you get a report of a mother duck looking distressed around a storm drain, there is a good chance the ducklings have fallen into it," she said. "I had to lay down on the pavement and put my ear up to the drain, and we could hear the ducklings making noise down there."
Marlborough Wildlife Center Focuses on Rehabilitating Animals
Click link for full article: Marlborough wildlife center focuses on rehabilitating animals | Marlborough | communityadvocate.com
MARLBOROUGH – Bella was the center of attention, even if she was half-asleep.
The young barn owl drew a crowd to the first of Marlborough Public Library’s “Climate Café” programs on Saturday, Jan. 4.
Before Bella took her bows, the audience learned about her home, the Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, from Alyssa Giaquinto.
A retired police officer, Giaquinto became a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
The center receives orphaned and injured wildlife from local police and fire departments; animal control officers; the public; and other wildlife centers.
Over the past few years, the center has helped dozens of animals – from squirrels and raccoons to hawks and owls – with recovery and release back into the wild.
Much of Giaquinto’s presentation focused on the unintended consequences of rodenticides.
She said that bait boxes are set out; the rodents eat the bait, wander off and die. Other animals, like raptors, often eat the dead rodents, ingest the poison, get sick and die.
“There is no need for rodenticide,” said Giaquinto.
Bedford: Nibi and Friends Raise Awareness at Mango Bay
Click link for full article: International Diva Makes Appearance In Bedford: Nibi and Friends Raise Awareness at Mango Bay - The Bedford Citizen
Alyssa Giaquinto from Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Marlborough had a table with information about the harms of rodenticide moving through the food chain. Giaquinto brought along Bella, the barn owl, as well as her husband, Mike, who helped a group of event goers dissect owl pellets, while their daughter Nova buzzed around.
“Wildlife is resilient and if you take care of wildlife, it will take care of us,” Alyssa Giaquinto said. People asked questions about Bella and took pictures, but mostly, event goers looked closely at a strikingly gorgeous Bella trustingly hanging on Giaquinto’s gloved arm as Bella swiveled her neck looking back at the crowd and around the arena.