SOUTHERN LIFE
LIVESOUTH
ISSUE
# 86
DEC / JAN 2020 / 21
Walk on the Wild Side
BY : LAUREN FLEMMING / PHOTO : BLAKE CROSBY
When it comes to caring about animals , Jeanne Paddison walks the walk . She doesn ’ t just love wildlife ; it ’ s her life ’ s work — and hard work it is . She gets her hands dirty so we don ’ t have to — all she asks for is compassion .
WALKING INTO SAVANNAH Wildlife Rescue Center , I ’ m greeted by the chitter of squirrels enthusiastically cracking away at their walnuts . Then , a blonde head pops out from down the hall . With a bright smile , Jeanne Paddison walks toward me and excuses herself for not being out front , “ We have a young coyote , Birdie , who recently had surgery so I was getting her set up - and sorry about the smell , we ’ re rehabbing a skunk at the moment . Now where should we start ?”
It ’ s not long before Paddison , a licensed wildlife rehabilitator , is placing an array of breathtaking raw stones in my hands . “ These are boji stones - their energy helps our team communicate and helps us to connect with the animals . We have to be their voice ,” she implores .
Paddison is careful to illustrate the reality of her job . “ It ’ s not all roses , it ’ s hard work ! It ’ s nursing [ the animals ] back from starvation , cleaning the cages , dressing wounds , monitoring their well being around the clock - all while making sure they ’ re fit to be released to be as successful as possible in the wild .” In the next breath , she ’ s restoring the positive aura , pointing to the collection of raw crystals . “ The citrine helps with optimism , and the fool ’ s gold brings prosperity . Because we could all use some more of that , no ?”
There ’ s a radiant energy at the rescue center , despite the fact that many of the animals arrive by tragic or perilous circumstances . Like the aforementioned skunk , for instance . Eddie was brought to the center just last year where he was nursed back to health and released almost two hours away from the center , as skunks are not indigenous to the Savannah area . Somehow , Eddie made his way back and nested in a brush hog . One day , a local man powered up his equipment and unknowingly , nearly shredding Eddie , critically injuring the benevolent squatter . Eddie returned to Paddison and her team , who have nursed him back to health . “ Once his wounds heal , he ’ ll have surgery to remove his scent gland . After that we ’ ll carefully find him a forever home , because he ’ s not fit to stand a chance against predators in the wild .”
“ Rescuing , rehabilitating and releasing our animals is one part of the equation ,” explains Paddison . “ Educating people about coexisting with these animals and emphasizing compassion is my greater goal . Compassion is sharable – we teach children to have compassion for animals and that brings about more generations of kindness .” Paddison has spent every spring and summer since she was 14 years old rehabilitating animals and has brought Savannah to the forefront of global wildlife rescue efforts through sheer compassion . She is on pace to truly leave the world a better place than she found it , taking calls from across the country and around the globe from animal enthusiasts wanting to “ pick her brain ” about wildlife rescue . Her raccoons are even set to appear in a wildlife documentary by French filmmaker Emma Baus , which chronicles the raccoon ’ s maturation journey and gritty attitude . “ My babies are going to be international stars ,” exclaims Paddison .
Still , on average , 90 % of the animals that come through the Savannah Wildlife Rescue are displaced or injured due to human activity . Paddison stresses that achieving a healthy relationship is essential to making a positive impact on the environment . Just as animals maintain balance among themselves , we must create harmony between wildlife and society .
For any wildlife rescue related concerns , inquiries and support , contact Jeanne Paddison at the Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center at ( 912 ) 596-1237 or online at savwildliferescue . com . •
24 SOUTH Winter Issue 2020-21