Wildlife does exist in Jersey City
By Jorge H. Ruiz, Summer Intern 2012
Hi Everyone! My name is Jorge H. Ruiz, I am a New Jersey City University student working with Conserve Wildlife Foundation as part of the USDA Internship Program for summer 2012. A little background on myself, I am a full-time student majoring in Biology and Political Science, President of the Biology Club, owner of small pet-care business, and I educate people about the benefits of renewable energy with support from Viridian Energy. Now, I am more than happy and honored to be able to finally put my experience to support my involvement with Conserve Wildlife Foundation.

Right from the start of my internship with CWF I was introduced to the mission and wildlife encounters that rarely I have ever seen. On May, 24, 2012 I had the joy to be able to witness banding of three peregrine chicks by wildlife Biologist Kathy Clark. The day was filled with heavy rain and thunderstorms; however, it did not deter the group of people that all gathered at101 Hudson Street, the tallest building in Jersey City, New Jersey to be able to observe up close a rare experience with peregrine falcon chicks. Executive Director, Margaret Gorman, Supervising Zoologist, Kathy Clark, Department Chair of Geology, Dr. Montgomery of NJCU as well as myself and others ascended over 40 floors to reach the habitat/nesting grounds of the mating pair of peregrine falcons. Once we reached the last floor, we all eagerly waited as Kathy Clark went out to the roof where the nest of the peregrine chicks was located and brought them back in a box for banding. I was astounded to learn how large the chicks were! The purpose of the visit was to count the number of young, determine age and sex, and check for any other issues that may troubling the chicks. There was one female and two males and all were in great health. I also learned from Margaret that peregrine falcons hunt pigeons and the chicks are totally dependent upon their parents until they are ready to fledge or leave the nest
I personally did not even know that Hudson County had peregrine falcons until that day. The whole experience made me aware of how the efforts of non-profits like CWF are really making a difference in keeping rare wildlife as part of our state. Peregrine falcons are an endangered species in New Jersey, and I learned that the population is steadily increasing all over NJ since efforts to stabilize the population began in 1993. The experience was amazing and I hope other young people get the opportunity to experience wildlife because people might think no wildlife exists in Jersey City, but now I can educate them and prove them wrong.