Wildlife rehabilitation
Encyclopedia
Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of removing from the wild and caring for injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide the food, housing and medical care of these animals, returning them to the wild after treatment.
Rehabilitation begins when an animal is found and reported to a wildlife rehabilitator, or seized from the illegal wildlife trade
or a poacher. The rehabilitator will examine the animal to determine the extent of the injury and the probability of successful rehabilitation. If it appears that the animal can make a sufficient recovery to be able to return to the wild, the animal will be fed, nurtured, reconditioned, medicated, operated on, or otherwise treated as necessary.
Animals that cannot be rehabilitated are usually euthanized
humanely, although animals are occasionally placed at facilities appropriately licensed for educational exhibit or brought into appropriate lifetime care in a wildlife rescue center.
A non-releasable animal may sometimes be kept by the rehabilitator (under separate permit) as a foster parent for orphaned or injured young wildlife.
and Australia
, wildlife rehabilitation requires a license and/or permit. meaning that without a license it is against the law to rehabilitate a wild animal. In the United States, rehabilitation permits, requirements and procedures for all animals other than birds vary from state to state. To rehabilitate birds in the US the Migratory Bird Treaty Act requires that a permit must be obtained from both state and federal (United States Fish and Wildlife Service
) wildlife agencies.
(NB: The only birds rehabilitators can admit without a federal permit are common NON-native/"invasive" birds: Rock Doves (aka pigeons), European starlings, and House sparrows; however, some licensed rehabilitation facilities cannot accept non-natives (even if they wished to) as a condition of their licensing.
The field of wildlife rehabilitation is generally composed of individuals who operate from their homes, usually as unpaid volunteers or as part of volunteer organizations. With the increased availability of training and continuing education often being added as a condition of permit renewal, many of these wildlife rehabilitators are able to provide very sophisticated care to injured and orphaned wildlife. Most home-based wildlife rehabilitators are required to have a relationship with a cooperating licensed veterinarian.
Around the world there is an increasing number of professionally staffed wildlife hospitals that are taking the field of wildlife rehabilitation to a level that puts it on par with companion animal medicine...and even human medicine in some cases. For example,Tristate Bird Rescue, Paws Wildlife Center, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and The Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, are teaching wildlife hospitals that provide training to veterinary students from around the world and offer one-year postdoctoral internships in clinical wildlife medicine. Another example, is the Senkwekwe Centre, in Virunga National Park
in the Democratic Republic of Congo which cares for the only two orphan baby mountain gorillas in captivity. Their rescue and subsequent survival is considered a important contribution to the conservation of a critically endangered species.
Many wildlife rehabilitators and centers are also committed to improving the well-being of wildlife though public education; focusing on how humans can safely and peacefully coexist with native wildlife, and on wildlife’s importance to man and the environment. Wildlife rehabilitation clinics can also often offer advice and guidance on humane solutions for "nuisance" wildlife (e.g., see Wild Things Sanctuary: Living with Wildlife).
"Wildlife rehabilitation is a network of individuals and organizations caring for injured, sick and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing these animals back into their natural habitat. Wildlife rehabilitators have demonstrated a proficient knowledge of wildlife by passing both written and oral examinations, have met certain housing standards for species they are permitted to treat, attend continuing education classes and work with a licensed veterinarian.
Through rehabilitation, an animal is given the benefits of proper nutrition and husbandry as well as modern medical care including fluid and drug therapy, diagnostics, x-ray and surgery. For animals that cannot survive in the wild, or who are beyond the ability to recover, rehabilitation offers a painless end to their suffering.
Individuals who unlawfully possess wildlife not only endanger the health and well-being of that animal, but also are risking their own health, as well as the health of their family and pets. In addition to the physical injury a wild animal can inflict, wildlife carry diseases and parasites that can infect humans and domestic animals. Furthermore, animals that have been humanized pose a great threat to the people they encounter as well as to themselves.
By offering an alternative, wildlife rehabilitation is also a public service which provides the public with a humane, legal way of dealing with the wildlife in need that they encounter. The person who finds and rescues a wild animal is the first step in the process of returning an animal to its natural habitat, as well as in protecting the public health."
Even an animal with minor injuries can die of shock when it becomes scared. The most important thing to do when you find an injured animal is to keep them in a quiet, dark place. Do not hold or bother the animal. Do not feed or give water to an injured or sick animal until you have consulted a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If the animal is immobile outside, you can put a box over the animal to keep it quiet and calm until help arrives. Keep all pets inside & away from the animal.
Note that baby animals are often left on their own while their mothers are out foraging. If you come across a baby wild animal, watch the baby from a distance for several hours if possible to determine whether it is an orphan. Make every effort to reunite it with its parents. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator can guide you through this process. DO NOT "KIDNAP" THE BABY OR ATTEMPT TO RAISE THE BABY YOURSELF.
Process
Wildlife trade
The international wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem, addressed by the United Nations' Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, which currently has 175 member countries called Parties. The 15th meeting of the Parties took place in Doha,...
or a poacher. The rehabilitator will examine the animal to determine the extent of the injury and the probability of successful rehabilitation. If it appears that the animal can make a sufficient recovery to be able to return to the wild, the animal will be fed, nurtured, reconditioned, medicated, operated on, or otherwise treated as necessary.
Animals that cannot be rehabilitated are usually euthanized
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
humanely, although animals are occasionally placed at facilities appropriately licensed for educational exhibit or brought into appropriate lifetime care in a wildlife rescue center.
A non-releasable animal may sometimes be kept by the rehabilitator (under separate permit) as a foster parent for orphaned or injured young wildlife.
Background
In many countries, including the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, wildlife rehabilitation requires a license and/or permit. meaning that without a license it is against the law to rehabilitate a wild animal. In the United States, rehabilitation permits, requirements and procedures for all animals other than birds vary from state to state. To rehabilitate birds in the US the Migratory Bird Treaty Act requires that a permit must be obtained from both state and federal (United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
) wildlife agencies.
(NB: The only birds rehabilitators can admit without a federal permit are common NON-native/"invasive" birds: Rock Doves (aka pigeons), European starlings, and House sparrows; however, some licensed rehabilitation facilities cannot accept non-natives (even if they wished to) as a condition of their licensing.
The field of wildlife rehabilitation is generally composed of individuals who operate from their homes, usually as unpaid volunteers or as part of volunteer organizations. With the increased availability of training and continuing education often being added as a condition of permit renewal, many of these wildlife rehabilitators are able to provide very sophisticated care to injured and orphaned wildlife. Most home-based wildlife rehabilitators are required to have a relationship with a cooperating licensed veterinarian.
Around the world there is an increasing number of professionally staffed wildlife hospitals that are taking the field of wildlife rehabilitation to a level that puts it on par with companion animal medicine...and even human medicine in some cases. For example,Tristate Bird Rescue, Paws Wildlife Center, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and The Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, are teaching wildlife hospitals that provide training to veterinary students from around the world and offer one-year postdoctoral internships in clinical wildlife medicine. Another example, is the Senkwekwe Centre, in Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park , formerly named Albert National Park, is a 7800 square km National Park that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the South, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the North, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori...
in the Democratic Republic of Congo which cares for the only two orphan baby mountain gorillas in captivity. Their rescue and subsequent survival is considered a important contribution to the conservation of a critically endangered species.
Many wildlife rehabilitators and centers are also committed to improving the well-being of wildlife though public education; focusing on how humans can safely and peacefully coexist with native wildlife, and on wildlife’s importance to man and the environment. Wildlife rehabilitation clinics can also often offer advice and guidance on humane solutions for "nuisance" wildlife (e.g., see Wild Things Sanctuary: Living with Wildlife).
Public service
Through rehabilitation, an animal is given the benefits of proper nutrition and husbandry as well as modern medical care including fluid and drug therapy, diagnostics, x-ray and surgery. For animals that cannot survive in the wild, or who are beyond the ability to recover, rehabilitation offers a painless end to their suffering.
Individuals who unlawfully possess wildlife not only endanger the health and well-being of that animal, but also are risking their own health, as well as the health of their family and pets. In addition to the physical injury a wild animal can inflict, wildlife carry diseases and parasites that can infect humans and domestic animals. Furthermore, animals that have been humanized pose a great threat to the people they encounter as well as to themselves.
By offering an alternative, wildlife rehabilitation is also a public service which provides the public with a humane, legal way of dealing with the wildlife in need that they encounter. The person who finds and rescues a wild animal is the first step in the process of returning an animal to its natural habitat, as well as in protecting the public health."
What to do if you find an injured or orphaned wild animal
Most wild species require special care. It is critical that injured or orphaned wildlife are admitted to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. List of wildlife rehabilition organizations dmoz.orgEven an animal with minor injuries can die of shock when it becomes scared. The most important thing to do when you find an injured animal is to keep them in a quiet, dark place. Do not hold or bother the animal. Do not feed or give water to an injured or sick animal until you have consulted a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If the animal is immobile outside, you can put a box over the animal to keep it quiet and calm until help arrives. Keep all pets inside & away from the animal.
Note that baby animals are often left on their own while their mothers are out foraging. If you come across a baby wild animal, watch the baby from a distance for several hours if possible to determine whether it is an orphan. Make every effort to reunite it with its parents. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator can guide you through this process. DO NOT "KIDNAP" THE BABY OR ATTEMPT TO RAISE THE BABY YOURSELF.
External links
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
- International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
- British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
- USFWS Migratory Bird Permits
- Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (Florida)
- St. Tiggywinkles
- Tri-State Bird Rescue (Delaware)
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
- PAWS Wildlife Center (Washington)
- C.R.O.W. Wildlife Clinic
- Carolina Raptor Center (North Carolina)
- Wild Things Sanctuary (New York)
- Animal Advocates Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Second Chance Wildlife Center (Maryland)
- Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation (Illinois)
- Blue Ridge Wildlife Center (Virginia)
- WildCare BayArea, San Rafael (N. California)
- Valley Forge Native Wildlife Refuge (Scotland)
- Directory of British Wildlife Rehabilitators
- Directory of Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Associations
- Volunteer South Africa Endangered Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre
- Red Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (Pennsylvania)
- Rescuing Wildlife - A Guide to Helping Injured and Orphaned Animals
- Publication for the public when they find wildlife in distress
- Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C.
- Genesis Zoological and Wildlife Rescue (Florida)
- Wild Baby Rescue Center (New Jersey)
- Rehabilitation of baby ground squirrels
- Rehabilitation of baby tree squirrels
- Rehabilitation of baby striped skunks
- Wildlife Alliance Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team
- Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
- Vermont Institute of Natural Science