Winton girl rescues wild birds, horses

High school-age teenagers have dozens of interests and hobbies, but rescuing injured wild birds and finding homes for horses is probably not on the list of most.

Winton’s Audrey Esau, however, is not like most teens – she knows that and is proud of it.

The 14-year-old incoming sophomore at Atwater High School estimates she has rescued at least 60 birds and 12 horses throughout her short lifetime. But Esau recognizes she receives a lot of help from her family – especially her parents, two former zookeepers.

Her daily routine, she explained, usually consists of school, chores and caring for the animals. Currently, she is helping with the care of four horses, a donkey, a tortoise and three birds in her Shaffer Road home.

“She lights up around her animal friends,” said her mom, Jessica Esau.

The birds are not pets, Esau made clear. They are rescued, rehabilitated and set free when they are ready to go. She’s worked with blue jays, sparrows and doves, to name a few.

Her mother, who worked and still volunteers at Applegate Zoo, said that many times animal shelters don’t have the room or the resources to care for small wild animals.

Jessica Esau said properly caring for wild birds is not something anyone can do. She has 30 years of experience working with animals, and advises that people who do not have the same level of experience contact a local zoo or pet store if they come across an injured wild bird.

She has taught her daughter how to feed, heal and monitor the birds’ recovery process.

Audrey Esau said it usually takes the birds a few weeks to be nourished back to health. She noted that many of the birds they find are abandoned newborns, too weak to survive on their own.

The job is a full-time commitment, they explained. A hummingbird the family currently cares for requires feeding about every 15 minutes. When they go on a trip or run errands, they pack the birds in travel containers and take them along.

As to why she takes on the responsibility, Audrey Esau simply said, “I don’t want them to die; they deserve a chance.”

Her first love was horses. By age 6, she was training with draft horses – large work horses that weigh an average of 2,000 pounds. Most of the horses she owns were ones in need of forever homes.

Her mother explained that families often will buy horses for their children, but as the children grow up, they lose interest. Other families move, or the horses get too old for work purposes and are auctioned off or donated to whoever will take them. That’s when the Esaus come in.

Most recently, Audrey Esau drove her 160-year-old carriage pulled by her draft horse Jake at the Atwater Fourth of July parade. In September, she will be showing Jake at the Draft Horse Classic in Nevada County.

Her love for the gentle giants is something Esau likes to share with others. For two years, she lent Bob – a smaller rescue horse – to a young girl with autism for therapy. The young girl has since left town, but the Esaus learned about the emotional and health benefits that come with spending time with animals.

Jessica Esau, who has a 9-year-old with attention deficit disorder, can attest to this.

“He takes medication, but he is naturally calm and focused when he’s around the animals,” she said. “It’s something really special.”

Caring for these animals is not cheap. Food and veterinary checkups add up. To afford proper care for the horses and birds, Audrey Esau makes unique jewelry. One of her pieces sold for $300.

Audrey Esau said she knows that whatever she chooses as a career will involve animals. As of now, she’s leaning toward animal husbandry. She plans to stay close to home for college so she can continue to care for her rescued friends. But if she had to leave?

“I would take some with me,” she jokingly said.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Winton girl rescues wild birds, horses."