For Jennifer Martines, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician at Worldwide Fowl Rescue, a love for animals has all the time been a driving power – one thing she pursued removed from the highlight. That modified when her work caught the attention of Kelly Clarkson.
In a heartwarming second on the “What I’m Liking” section on The Kelly Clarkson Present, Jennifer’s dedication to rescuing injured and orphaned wildlife was celebrated on nationwide tv – bringing consideration to a life spent making a distinction, one fowl at a time.
When Kelly requested her how individuals ought to have fun Earth Week, Jennifer shared a solution near her coronary heart: “Keep in mind to search for and be impressed by the wildlife round you.”
Rising up With a Dream to Defend Wildlife
Rising up in Los Angeles, CA, Jennifer all the time had an admiration for wildlife – even when the bustling metropolis streets didn’t provide many alternatives to seek out it. Her mother nurtured that love, taking her to MacArthur Park to observe geese and geese, spending afternoons on the library studying about wildlife, and making journeys to the zoo the place Jennifer may see animals from everywhere in the world.
There may be a lot range in our city areas. We simply need to decelerate and see them. – Jennifer Martines, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician
“She actually needed me to be educated,” Jennifer informed Fowl Rescue. “She beloved having me learn to her.”
These early experiences sparked a lifelong ardour for shielding the pure world. Jennifer went on to review Wildlife Biology and Zoology at California State Polytechnic College, Humboldt. Quickly after incomes her bachelor’s diploma, she was employed to review Kentish Plovers at Beijing Regular College.
Responding The place She’s Wanted Most
After returning residence, Jennifer discovered Fowl Rescue. In 2018, she began as an intern on the Los Angeles Wildlife Middle, immersing herself within the care of injured and oiled waterbirds. Her dedication rapidly stood out, and she or he finally joined the crew full-time. Not lengthy after, her work took her abroad as soon as once more, this time to Kimberley, South Africa, the place she helped look after 1000’s of Lesser Flamingo chicks throughout a important rescue effort.
Since then, Jennifer has been a vital a part of Fowl Rescue’s crew, working usually within the clinic to offer day by day look after a variety of aquatic birds. She has additionally contributed her expertise throughout main wildlife emergencies, together with the 2019 Huntington Seaside Pipeline Spill, the 2021 Lengthy Seaside Harbor Seabird Disaster, the 2023 Tulare Botulism Response, and a number of Brown Pelican stranding occasions.
“Every of those occasions pushes me to make use of all of my expertise,” she stated. “I’m always studying and adapting to do what’s greatest for the birds.”
Discovering Surprise Near Residence
Right this moment, Jennifer is on the entrance traces, actively caring for ravenous younger pelicans, treating poisoned seabirds, and elevating orphaned cormorant chicks. Whether or not tending to a single injured fowl or helping throughout large-scale crises, she brings compassion and experience to each problem.
It’s a actuality she by no means anticipated when she dreamed of touring the world to work with wildlife. After gaining precious expertise overseas, Jennifer realized one thing surprising: essentially the most rewarding work was taking place proper right here in her personal yard, in Los Angeles.
“Wildlife is right here; you don’t actually give it some thought,” she stated “Going the world over, it bolstered that we actually are sharing our house with wildlife.”
For anybody impressed by wildlife, Jennifer encourages wanting near residence. She recommends native Audubon teams, a lot of which provide free fowl walks – together with bilingual walks and accessible choices for individuals with disabilities – in addition to occasions hosted by libraries and neighborhood facilities.
“There may be a lot range in our city areas,” she added. “We simply need to decelerate and see them.”
