Online Class: Wildlife Rehabilitation — An Introduction

Unleash Compassion: Dive Deep into the World of Wildlife Rehabilitation

There's an intrinsic bond between humans and the wild creatures that share our Earth. For many, the sight of an animal in distress is heart-wrenching. The call of the wild resonates deeply within us, compelling us to extend a helping hand. Wildlife rehabilitators epitomize this compassionate connection, dedicating themselves to healing the vulnerable, ensuring they flourish in their natural habitats. If your heart beats for these voiceless beings, our comprehensive course is your gateway to making a tangible difference.

A Comprehensive Exploration: Delve into the world of Wildlife Rehabilitation with a course meticulously designed to provide you with a 360-degree understanding. From understanding the motivations and commitments required to be an effective rehabilitator to mastering hands-on skills, our course is a blend of theory and practice, ensuring you are well-equipped to address the multifaceted challenges of this noble profession.

The Pillars of Rehabilitation: Begin your journey by exploring the fundamentals. Understand the safety protocols for rescuing distressed animals. Discover the intricacies of providing immediate first-aid and long-term medical care, and learn how to collaborate effectively with veterinarians. Familiarize yourself with the vernacular of the wildlife domain, diving deep into terminology used by seasoned professionals. And most importantly, comprehend the ethical standards and best practices for intake, daily care, and eventual release.

Species-Specific Insights: Each animal family presents unique challenges and requires specialized knowledge. We delve deep into the specific requirements of a diverse range of animals:

• Feathered Friends: Understand the nuances of Songbirds, Aquatic Birds, and the majestic Raptors.
• Mysterious Nocturnals: Get acquainted with the world of Bats.
• Gentle Herbivores: Dive into the care requirements of Rodents, Rabbits, and the stately Ungulates.
• Dynamic Predators: Unravel the intricacies of Carnivores.
• Exotic Wonders: Explore the unique world of Marsupials and Reptiles.

Addressing the Hard Truths: Beyond the joy of saving lives, the world of wildlife rehabilitation presents challenges that require both skill and emotional strength. Learn how to guide people in humanely managing wildlife they might consider nuisances. Grasp the emotional and ethical considerations around euthanasia—a hard but sometimes necessary decision. Additionally, understand the respectful methods of body disposal, ensuring the process honors the life that once was.

Step into a World of Meaning: At the conclusion of this course, you won't just have amassed knowledge; you'll have embarked on a transformative journey. From understanding the theoretical aspects to honing practical skills, you'll be poised to step into the field of wildlife rehabilitation with confidence and compassion.

Embrace your passion, answer the call of the wild, and be the beacon of hope for those voiceless beings that enrich our world. Join us, and take the inaugural step toward a fulfilling career as a Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Course Motivation

Wildlife rehabilitation is providing professional care for sick, injured, or orphaned animals until they can be returned to the wild. In most cases, animals that cannot be returned to the wild must be humanely euthanized. In some special circumstances, animals can be maintained in a captive environment and used for educational purposes.

Rescue vs. Rehabilitation

Often a person's first introduction to wildlife rehabilitation starts with finding a sick, injured, or abandoned wild animal. Their compassion and curiosity lead them to want to care for the animal. However, animal rehabilitation requires special skills and knowledge that go beyond rescuing the animal and removing it from harm.

When you find a sick, injured, or abandoned animal that you believe is in need of rescue, you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice and assistance. The best way to find a wildlife rehabilitator is to call:

• Your local vet

• Your local humane society

• Or search the Internet for links rehab and rescue organizations

Goals of Rehabilitation

The main goal of rehabilitation is to get sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals back to their natural environment, so they can return to a normal wild life and continue to contribute to the diversity of their species.

Working with a veterinarian to provide proper medical care

• Wound care

• Bone repair

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Burn management

• Oil removal

• Providing adequate nutrition -- understanding the specific nutritional requirement of each species under the rehabilitator's care, by working with a veterinarian

• Keeping the animal wild. One of the key success factors permitting a wild animal to return to the wild is to reinforce their fear of humans. Animals who see humans as a source of food, comfort, or assistance, will not be able to successfully return to the wild and, therefore, may have to be euthanized.

Domestic, Wild, Feral

Because canine DNA is so malleable, humans were able to go on to further selectively breed for certain characteristics. Now dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with even more being developed as the human need evolves. Once humans discovered they could selectively breed wolves to produce a desired companion, they began domesticating many things -- including other animals, and plants. Although it's possible to domesticate wild animals, such as foxes, (Ratliff, 2011) it takes many generations to successfully alter their DNA. A person may be able to tame a wild animal through hand rearing and a reward/punishment system, but the animal will still remain wild.

Wild animals fear and mistrust humans, by nature. This fear is reinforced by their mothers. This is a critical part of their survival and must be maintained at all costs. Wild animals spurn human contact and may behave aggressively toward humans if left with no choice. Usually, they will tend to evade people by hiding or fleeing.

A wild animal who has been forced to endure human companionship will still retain its wild nature. Even hand-raised animals can resort to wild behavior without notice. Although some behaviors can be modified, wild animals are unpredictable by nature. Some have senses of smell, hearing, or sight that humans can't even imagine. They may react negatively to a smell, sound, or sight of something that we don't even know is there. Therefore, it is impossible to completely control their behavior and remain entirely safe, unless rigid precautions are taken. Zoos and other institutions trained to deal with wild animals are the only places where wild animals should be housed for long periods of time, and then, only to promote education and conservation of their wild brothers.

Feral animals are those creatures that were once domesticated, but have returned to a wild state through human neglect. Their offspring will still be domestic, and they can be re-tamed with proper handling. There are millions of feral cats and dogs around the world. They can pose a significant threat to native wildlife, and suffer from neglect themselves.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Requirements:

• Licensing

It is illegal to keep captive wildlife in your home or on your property without the correct permits. Wildlife rehabilitators in every country in the world have to be licensed and bear the cost of obtaining the license and maintaining the education required to keep it updated. Check with your local government for information on how to get a license. If you're not sure where to start, your veterinarian, local zoo, or parks department may be able to help. You can also contact The International Wildlife Council for information about how to reach the proper authorities. You will need to work closely with your local wildlife, fisheries, or conservation department to maintain the correct permits and update them on the wildlife in your care.

• Financial

Veterinary care - The reason animals need to be rehabilitated in the first place is because they are sick, injured, or orphaned. In all cases, they will require the care of a veterinarian. Finding a veterinarian that can treat exotic wildlife can be very difficult and expensive. Before you decide to become a wildlife rehabilitator, make sure there is a veterinarian willing to partner with you, and understand that you will almost certainly bear the financial burden.

Medication and First Aid Supplies - Sick and injured animals will usually need some type of medication or first-aid before returning to the wild; the cost associated generally falls to the rehabilitator.

Nutrition - The wildlife in your care will require specialized nutrition. They may also need supplies, such as bottles and tubes or IVs to feed them.

Habitat - Some animals require a large amount of space in which to learn to live in the wild. If you don't have adequate space to house them while they are ill, and also to allow them the freedom to re-acclimate to their wild environment, then you should consider volunteering at a facility instead of attempting to do in-home wildlife rehabilitation.

Continuing Education - To maintain your license and certifications, you may need to submit proof that you have taken ongoing classes to continue your education, and familiarize yourself with the latest information in the rehabilitation field. Many states/countries require that you update your license every year or two. The costs associated with continuing education fall to the rehabilitator.

Transportation- In some cases, it may be necessary to travel long distances to find a suitable release site. These should always be coordinated with your local wildlife, fisheries, and conservation department. In most cases, the cost of the associated travel is borne by the rehabilitator.

• Emotional

Caring for a wild animal and then releasing it back to the wild can be a very emotional experience, both positive and negative. At best, the animal will return to the wild and you will never know what happened to it; at worst, the animal will return to the wild and fail to thrive in the wild, despite your care. People who have difficulty separating or letting go of things are not good candidates for this type of work.

You might also have to face the devastating consequences that come when an animal can't be returned to the wild and has to be euthanized.Even though some animals may be able to remain in captivity and become ambassadors for education and conservation, this is not always an appropriate solution.

• Legal

There are over 16,000 species threatened with extinction worldwide. Local and international laws attempt to keep them safe. As a wildlife rehabilitator, you can contribute an invaluable resource to these efforts. However, it takes training and dedication to ensure that you are a help, and not a hindrance. Organizations like Endangered Species International keep information about animals at risk worldwide, and the international efforts to prevent their extinction.

• Environmental

Rehabilitating wildlife, in most cases, requires a good amount of space. The rehabilitator needs to provide a safe environment for the animal to recuperate or develop, which is free from noise and chaos, and can be temperature controlled.

After the animal is healthy, they may need to learn essential survival skills. This might require a very large enclosure, depending on the type of animal.

Some animals, like snakes and amphibians, cannot control their own body temperature and need to be provided for. Make sure your property or facility meets all requirements by checking with your local officials for an inspection.

If you do not own the facility, make sure your landlord is in agreement with your plans to rehabilitate animals.

• Human Health Concerns

Zoonotic diseases are transferred from animals to humans and can be very nasty. Some zoonotic diseases take the form of parasites transferred to humans from animals. In other cases, the animal carries a parasite that subsequently bites a human and infects them -- such as a raccoon that has ticks that carry Lyme disease, which is passed on to the rehabilitator. There is also a risk of an animal passing a disease, like rabies, directly to a human.

You should be aware of the potential zoonotic diseases associated with the type of animals you intend to care for, and the ways you can protect yourself from infection.

How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator

• After carefully considering the financial, emotional, and health-related concerns, you have decided to go ahead with your goal of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. You have the financial resources and the space necessary to take on such a challenge for the long haul. You will no doubt make a wonderful addition to the wildlife rehabilitation network.

• The first thing you should do is visit at least one established wildlife rehabilitation facility and spend as much time there as you can. Ideally, you would start your road to responsible rehabilitation by volunteering at a nearby facility for at least six months. First, look for a facility that specializes in the type of animals you want to work with. If that is not possible, try to find a general facility. Even if you can only find an organization that specializes in a different class of animal, you can still learn valuable lessons about rehab by volunteering there. If there are no facilities within driving distance, think about asking if you can use your vacation time to spend a week volunteering at a facility that is accredited to do what you want to do. Spending time at a competent facility will give you a chance to see what works, and what does not, so you can set yourself up for success from the start. 

• Next, study the wildlife in your area. Make sure you can identify the different species that you might encounter as a rehabilitator. You should consider all classes of animals, even if you only plan to specialize in one type of rehabilitation. You may be called upon to consult on other cases once you are a known resource in your area. Accurately identifying an animal is the first step in providing it the best possible care.

• Set up a financial plan. Are you hoping to operate as an NPO (non-profit organization) or NGO (non-government organization)? Find out what legal requirement you have to meet to be able to accept donations to help support your organization. If you choose to self-fund, make sure you have a sound financial plan in place. Animal rehabilitation can be a long-term prospect and requires long-range planning.

• Set up your facility and obtain the necessary licenses and certifications. Meet with your local veterinarian(s) to establish their areas of expertise and the assistance they will be able to provide.

• Join any reputable societies available in your country, state, or region -- and get to know as many other animal rehabilitation, and animal experts as you can. You never know when their help may become invaluable.

Other Ways to Help

Donate

• Monetary resources are vital to wildlife rehabilitation organizations. No one pays them for rescuing and rehabilitating animals, and the costs associated with the care and treatment of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife are very high.

• If you really want to get involved, but don't have the time or resources necessary to become a rehabilitator, make a financial contribution. Do your research and make sure the operation is legitimate, but when you find one that you feel is doing a good job, please consider making a donation.

• If a donation is not an option, consider volunteering at a rehab facility. The more volunteers they have, the more animals they are able to help. Any funds that have to be diverted to paying the staff are taken away from the animals that need help.

• If you don't have the money to donate and don't have the time to volunteer, or a facility is too far away, consider fundraising on behalf of an organization. For instance, let's say you want to help wild black rhinos, but you live in the U.S., where there are obviously no wild black rhinos -- that doesn't mean you can't help. The American Association of Zoo Keepers sponsors an event called Bowling for Rhinos. You can get a bowling team together and raise money for rhino conservation and rehabilitating orphaned baby black rhinos. 

• Consider creating a nature-friendly habitat in your backyard. There are many ways you can make your backyard a safe and nature-friendly place for wild creatures to enjoy with you. Contact conservation organizations in your area about ways to create a backyard wildlife sanctuary.

• Keep domestic pets under control. Domestic cats are especially harmful to native wildlife. Especially in a place like the United States and Australia, where they are considered an invasive species. Domestic cats are not indigenous to the Americas or Australia, yet they kill billions of small native animals every year. So if you have a pet cat, keep it indoors or create an enclosed "catio." Make sure to spay and neuter all of your animals.

Lesson 2: How You Can Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Lesson 3: When & If to Rescue

Lesson 4: Helping Animals with Wildlife Rehabilitation

Lesson 5: How to Catch a Wild Animal for Rehabilitation

Lesson 6: Transporting Wild Animals to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Lesson 7: Human Health Concerns in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Lesson 8: How Else Can You Help Wildlife?

Lesson 9: Wild Animals as Pets? NEVER!

Lesson 10: How to Safely and Humanely Deal with Nuisance Wildlife

Lesson 11: Sadness and Grief

• To show what you can do to take part in wildlife rehab
• To provide information on what you need to do to become a professional wildlife rehabilitator
• To explain the most common causes for animal injuries, signs and symptoms of injury and what you should (and shouldn’t) do from there
• To increase awareness of the human health risks and what you can do to prevent them
• To educate you on the essentials of dealing with pesky, problematic wildlife
• And, perhaps most importantly, real life tips, training and methods that you can use to benefit all of the creatures that visit your own backyard