Wild Returns: A Partnership for Wildlife

The Swan Conservation Trust is proud to partner with Walden's Puddle, a dedicated wild animal rescue and rehabilitation center near Nashville, to provide vital release sites for animals returning to the wild. This collaboration underscores our enduring commitment to fostering healthy ecosystems where wildlife can thrive, even amidst increasing development.

In July 2008, three Red Fox kits found a new home on our Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. Rescued after their mother's death, these kits faced the growing threat coyotes pose to fox populations. The Preserve, with its extensive forests and native grass fields, offers abundant food and territory for both the Red Fox (known for its white-tipped tail) and the Common Gray Fox (a skilled tree-climber, as one Trust board member discovered firsthand during a drought-inspired tomato raid!). While we can't always track their movements after release, we're confident the Preserve's vastness supports these adaptable creatures, which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Restoring Balance: Bobcats, Raccoons, and More

Walden's Puddle rehabilitates over 1,500 wild animals annually, and our partnership ensures these animals have undisturbed habitats for successful reintroduction. While the center doesn't own land, Swan Trust provides the secure spaces needed for creatures like bobcats to re-establish themselves.

Recently, we facilitated the release of two bobcats—a male and a female—onto Swan Trust land. These elusive predators, important for ecosystem balance, were carefully prepared for release by Walden's Puddle staff, who ensured their recovery from shock and their ability to hunt. Watching the bobcats dart or cautiously emerge, then melt into the forest, was a powerful testament to the wild spirit we strive to protect. That same day, two raccoons also found new homes in our forests, quickly adapting to their surroundings. This collaboration extends to a diverse "menagerie" of creatures, from owls and hawks to other species, reinforcing our shared vision of providing a sanctuary for animals navigating a changing landscape. The deep connection between healthy habitats and thriving wildlife is clear, and we look forward to strengthening this vital partnership.