Wildlife Rehabilitator Charley Koop and Wildlife Rehabilitator Assistant Dori Koop of Koop Wildlife Rehabilitation with an eagle they helped rescue. The Koops have been rehabilitating wildlife in Chenango County and the surrounding areas for 20 years. (Submitted photo)


NEW BERLIN — Wildlife Rehabilitator Charley Koop and Wildlife Rehabilitator Assistant Dori Koop of Koop Wildlife Rehabilitation have been helping the animals of Chenango County and the surrounding areas for 20 years.

In that time, the couple has cared for fawns, rabbits, squirrels, songbirds, owls, crows, eagles, hawks, kestrels, bobcats, and more. Right now, they have approximately 30 animals in their care, including eight fawns, an injured crow, a baby blue jay, two baby phoebes, and four starlings, among others.

Dori said rehabbing is a 24/7 job for them: they'll take in animals any time of the day or night, work with callers to determine if a found animal is in need of help, and they work closely with Dr. Lisa Johnson of the New Berlin Vet Clinic, Leatherstocking Veterinary Group, and the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital at Cornell to coordinate veterinary care.

"Dr. Lisa Johnson of the New Berlin Vet Clinic works with us a lot. She’s really been helpful," said Dori. "She’s worked with me on my protocols and stuff, and if I’m not sure [about something] I can text her, I can send her pictures. She’ll see [the animals] in the office, because sometimes she’ll need to do an evaluation, especially for an eye injury or a suspected fracture. She’ll do x-rays. She’ll do what she can for us. But if it has to have a surgery or something like that, or if she’s away, we take them right to Cornell."