In this age of looking for heroes and heroism in our own back yards, Thomas Young, Director of the Arkansas Native Plant and Wildlife Center, a self-taught wildlife rehabilitation expert, provides an example of ongoing selfless sacrifice that transcends heroic.
Tommy Young, and his wife Lavonda, have spent twenty six years protecting wildlife, healing the sick and wounded, rehabilitating the injured, and returning them to the wilderness from whence they came. They specialize in raptors, but have helped thousands of other animals in distress.
Here is the number of animals that have so far been rehabilitated and released:
14 Bears
22 Bald Eagles
18 Golden Eagles
10,000 Hawks
22,000 Mammals
Rick Rowe did a report on Tommy Young in a, “50 cities in 50 weeks“ report. I am not sure when it ran.
Last year, Mr. Young was bitten by a tick and infected with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and spent many days in the local hospital recovering from the effects of this progressive and often fatal disease. He is currently confined to a wheelchair and is severely restricted in his ability to perform the work necessary to nurture and rehabilitate his animal charges.
In April 2009, violent tornadoes struck Mena Arkansas and inflicted severe damage on Mr. Young’s home, his animal rescue facilities, and the surrounding area. Because of the minimal financial support of Mr. Young’s efforts, there is no insurance, and no contingency fund to help him rebuild.
Mr. Young and his wife currently have thirty-seven “bottle-babies” and 118 adult rehabilitation patients. These include baby otters, wood-chucks, raccoon, lynx, cougar, and others.
Tommy Young and his story deserve an audience and a chance to find supporters who will help him continue his heroic efforts. Mr. Young does not have a website, (Supporters are working on that) but you can find some information on the following web-sites:
http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/things... and
http://www.cynthiaashley.com/harold.htm
Tommy Young is listed in several “Wildlife Rehabilitator” Directories:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/conta... and is listed as “Thomas Young, Ouachita Mountain Rehab
Wildlife Species: Endangered species rehab, Black Bear rehab for
Arkansas, raptor chicks, falconry, and ornithologist”
Please consider researching and doing a story on this wonderful man and his efforts. He needs our support and the world would be better for knowing his story.
I have some video and other information if helpful.
Thanks,
Lee Holbert
Lee7job@yahoo.com
(936) 552-1316
Tommy Young
(479) 437-3750
(479) 243-0976
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Elizabeth Davis (Employee)
last replied
on July 02, 2009 17:17
R.J. Masi
last replied
on June 18, 2009 17:47
Lowell Goss (Official Rep)
last replied
on May 15, 2009 15:39
