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The Truth About Wildlife

The Truth About Wildlife . Building a Sustainable Future for Wildlife and Our Community. Center for Wildlife. Mission- build a sustainable future for wildlife in our community through medical treatment, rehabilitation, educational outreach, research, and conservation activities. .

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The Truth About Wildlife

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  1. The Truth About Wildlife Building a Sustainable Future for Wildlife and Our Community

  2. Center for Wildlife • Mission- build a sustainable future for wildlife in our community through medical treatment, rehabilitation, educational outreach, research, and conservation activities.

  3. What is Wildlife Rehabilitation? • Medical treatment, rehabilitation processes, and daily care of injured/orphaned wild animals until they are able to be returned back into the wild. • Wildlife Rehabilitators: • have state and federal permits • work closely with a licensed veterinarian • have the proper housing and training to care for each species safely. • There is no state or federal funding or program for the medical care of wild animals.

  4. Why not just let nature take its course? • 90-95% human caused injuries • Cars, power lines and windows, domestic cats, power lines, oil spills, habitat loss, etc. • Quality of Life • Public Safety • Difference between domestic and wildlife: Fear of humans

  5. Get to know your local rehabilitator Species We Treat Tips • Birds • Small Mammals • Reptiles • Serve ~ 100 mile radius of York, ME • Visit NWRA website and find your state • Find out who does marine animals • Call your local rehabbers and find out: • What species they take • What is their capacity • What is their range

  6. Nesting Dates for Common Species

  7. The Myth and the Legend- What’s True? • If you touch a baby bird or baby mammal you can’t put it back in the nest- the mom will reject it • Any baby without a parent around needs help • Loons cannot walk on land • If you can catch an adult wild animal, it needs help • Animals do not feel pain the way humans do • Opossums are dirty and carry rabies • Porcupines can throw their quills • If a nocturnal animal is out during the day it most likely has rabies • Most bats have rabies and should be removed from buildings and barns immediately

  8. Wild Animal Capture and Restraint Tips Capture and Restraint Species Specific • Handler safety • Plan Ahead- Work Efficiently • Proper positioning • Fight or Flee Defense • Diminish sense perceptions • Use minimum restraint • Equipment • Rodents • Opossums • Porcupines • Raccoons, foxes, weasels, bobcats, etc • Coyotes • Raptors • Waterbirds • Waterfowl • Songbirds • Turtles • Bats

  9. Transport Tips • Keep animals in closed containers: • STRESS! Every contact takes energy from patient • SHOCK can kill • SAFETY for both animal and rescuer • Monitor Temperature: • Babies and trauma victims need heat (water bottle or snuggle safe) • Any animal that has just been chased can easily overheat- watch for panting and open-mouth breathing • DO NOT FEED UNTIL THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN MONITORED • Food and water can kill if not stable • The wrong diet can be deadly

  10. Wildlife Rehabilitation Laws • It is legal for ACO’s and general public to transport wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for medical treatment (in accordance with IF&W and NH Fish and Game) • Wildlife rehabilitators must have a federal permit to treat birds (excluding some game and introduced species) • Wildlife rehabilitators must have a state permit to treat mammals and reptiles • Individuals and organizations must have an education and exhibition permit to house wild animals permanently • Because of WNS it is now illegal to remove bats from unoccupied buildings during May 15th-August 15th in NH • Endangered and threatened species protected from killing, harassment, taking, or injuring species listed. Maximum penalty is up to $13,000 fine.

  11. Public Interest • Center for Wildlife receives over 10,000 phone calls per year from the general public • Many callers are frustrated as they have made several phone calls to local vets, police departments, animal shelters, etc and no one can help • Most members of the public call to check on their patient and want to be involved with the release • Since 1986 public has brought over 20,000 wild animals to Center for Wildlife • Center for Wildlife hosts over 70 volunteers and 20+ college interns each year

  12. Q & A

  13. Scenario Discussion • What is your initial response? • What would you advise public? • If you had to capture/restrain/transport the animal, how would you do it? • Who would you bring it to? • Did you learn anything new?

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