2019 COMPLETED PROJECTS

Caracal Cage Renovation
	Simba was housed with two other exotic cats, but he didn’t always get along with them. We worried that if we moved him to his own enclosure, he would miss his roommates. He is housed across from them so he can readily see them. Ever since his move, he has thrived. He has developed his own personality.
Heron Creek Remodeled
Heron Creek and Web-Foot Wash were first built in 2008. Over the past years we have had to clear all the rock along the creek bed to replace the pond liner because ground squirrels had chewed holes in it. This is a tremendous amount of work. We have had to go through this process at least twice. I don’t think there is a single volunteer at Critter Creek who hasn’t had to “pitch rock.” This last time we decided to try a more permanent solution--concrete. With the help of Rich Beatie and his Fresno Fence crew and the expertise of Shawn Conigliaro of MudDucks Concrete and his friend with a concrete pumper truck, we were able to get the job done pretty economically. Once the concrete was poured, it had to be etched, neutralized, and sealed. After those jobs were done, all the rock had to be put back in place. A big thank you to a volunteer work crew from Provost and Pritchard. These generous souls spent several hours covering the sides and bottom of the creek with river rock. We were able to restore the plants, none the worse for wear after we had set them aside when we first began the project. In the end the enclosure looks great. The heron, ducks, and geese are back in their home just in time for the hot summer days.
Osprey Renovation
Since Ozzy, the Osprey has become a permanent resident, he required a larger enclosure. By remodeling one of our older set of mews into one large mew, he is able to have the room he needs. He is now currently on display in our compound area. Because of his shoulder injuries, he seldom wants to perch more than two feet off the ground. His five foot wing span makes it necessary for him to have lots of room.
Red Fox Enclosure
If you have ever visited Critter Creek for an Open House, you know that our red fox enclosure looks unoccupied. Unlike our gray fox that like to “nest” in trees and can be seen, red fox prefer to den underground. Even though our chain link walls go down two-three feet into the ground, we were apprehensive about them digging out. This labor-intensive project involved digging down two feet, laying horse fence panels in the ground, and back filling the dirt. The enclosure has an area with large boulders where fence panels had to be cut to fit around the boulders and then cemented into place. To replace their underground dens, each has an all-weather igloo. All of our current red fox residents were in temporary enclosures until the work was completed. Once the enclosure was ready to be occupied, they were introduced to their renovated enclosure.
Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife does not allow the release of young red fox since they are a non-native species and represent a threat to the native gray fox. Fortunately, the enclosure is large enough to house the six red fox we have.
Wild Pig Shelter
Last winter, Hamlet, our wild pig, often had a wet, cold bedroom because of a leaky roof. With the help of donated old well pipe, we were able to make a roof structure that provides shade for the summer. This fall, we will attach roofing panels which will provide shelter from the rain.
Back to Projects