what is wildlife rehabilitation? facts and...
TRANSCRIPT
Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is a hobby.
Fact: Wildlife rehabilitators donot have the option to choosewhen they spend timeperforming necessary tasks tocare for the animal that hasgrown to depend upon them –providing food, water, andmedical care; cleaning cages;and other important tasks asnecessary. In fact, when arehabilitator is caring foranimals and has to travel, theyhave to arrange for anotherrehabilitator to backfill theirresponsibility.
Myth: Loving wildlife qualifiesyou to be a rehabilitator.
Fact: Compassion allows awildlife rehabilitator to provideeffective care; however, skill,specialized knowledge, facili-ties, permits, licenses, andmore are REQUIRED.
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wildlife
Myth: Anyone who finds an injuredor orphaned wild animal can take ithome and care for it, and everythingwill be wonderful.
Fact: Wildlife requires specializedcare to survive, especially those thatare injured or orphaned. Withoutsuch specialized diets, feeding,cages, and treatment, many of theseanimals suffer or die. Working withwildlife is a serious activity andrequires possession of permits andlicenses. Inappropriately releasedwildlife can result in problems forwild and human populations alike.
Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is fun.
Fact: Wildlife rehabilitation can beinteresting, stimulating, rewarding,and sometimes pleasant; but it israrely fun. It is, however, physicallydemanding, emotionally stressful,and tough work that involves tasksranging from cleaning wounds andscrubbing cages to makingdecisions about whether or not toeuthanize an animal that is sufferingand not expected to recover.
Wildlife Rehabilitation is the process of
providing aid to injured, orphaned,
displaced, or distressed wild animals in
such a way that they may survive when
released to their native habitats. The
spectrum of activities ranges from direct
care of wildlife to arranging suitable
release sites. Wildlife rehabilitation also
involves anticipating and helping to
prevent problems with wildlife as well as
humanely resolving human-wildlife
conflicts. Wildlife rehabilitation is part
science, part education, part problem-
solving, and part care-giving.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a growing activity
with a rapidly expanding base of knowledge
and ever-increasing professional standards.
Generally, by law, free-ranging native
wildlife is a natural resource that belongs
to the public. Wildlife rehabilitation is
regulated by state or provincial and
federal wildlife agencies.
New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Councilwww.nyswrc.org
WHAT IS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION?Facts and Myths
WHAT IS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION?Facts and Myths
Myth: Experience with pets or “being good”with domestic animals qualifies people to berehabilitators.
Fact: Wildlife is very different from otheranimals. Wild animals have differenthandling requirements, diets, habitat andhousing needs, diseases and parasites.Wildlife is also stressed by humans,whereas domestic pets and livestock are not.Proper training in wildlife care is essentialfor the benefit of the wild animal and thesafety of the caregiver.
Myth: The government pays rehabilitators tocare for wildlife.
Fact: Wildlife rehabilitators are usuallyunpaid volunteers who either fund theexpenses for their wildlife rehabilitationactivities from their own pockets ordonations from the community. Govern-ment agencies rarely contribute to anyrehabilitation activities, unless it is smallamounts for endangered species.
Myth: Wildlife likes to be cuddledand loved. Fact: Most wild animals do not wantto be in captivity, especially thosethat are aware of their surroundingsWildlife is stressed by humancontact, therefore, human contact,whether visual, auditory or physicalmust be minimized. Wild animalsare NOT pets and should NOT betreated as such.
Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is agreat activity for children.
Fact: One of the most importantaspects of wildlife is its wildness.Wildlife does not want to be incaptivity, handled or watched byhumans, who are considered pred-ators. These animals will bite,scratch, kick or do whatever isneeded to escape; they may alsotransmit diseases and parasites,many of which are particularlydangerous to children.
There are many valuable ways
to help animals without having
to become a permitted or
licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Some people may want to
volunteer to help rehabilitators
with particular tasks, such
as transport, educational
programs, cage building,
fundraising or special projects.
Others may want more direct
contact with animals and can
volunteer to work with
domestic pets for rescue
groups or local animal
shelters. Those groups often
want people to handle, cuddle
and spend lots of time with
pets. Still others may decide
to dedicate their time to
various environmental or
political causes that help
wildlife or other animals by
protecting habitat or working
on wildlife policy issues.
For more information, pleasevisit www.nyswrc.org
New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Councilwww.nyswrc.org
rehabilitation