
Alyssa Giaquinto introduces Bella, the educational ambassador for the Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Marlborough Public Library.
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.
She said there are alternatives, such as securing trash cans, using snap or electric traps, using cayenne pepper and peppermint oil as deterrents, and even rodent birth control.
When asked about the center’s needs, Giaquinto said she wants to spread the word about rodenticides, as well as programs offered by the center.
More immediate needs include fleeces, snuggle-safe heat discs (for younger rescues) and financial donations.
After the presentation, Bella did a meet-and-greet with members of the audience as well as had photos taken with her.
The 8-month-old owl is the center’s educational ambassador. She was bred in captivity, meaning she cannot be released into the wild.
She is hand-fed three mice a day (and maybe a quail for Sunday dinner); Giaquinto said the mice and quail are ordered from an online company and come frozen.
Bella, like all owls, is a nocturnal creature, sleeping during the day and active during the night.
For information about the center, call 978-558-9068, or visit its Facebook page.