Wildlife
Rehabilitators and Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife
rehabilitation involves caring for injured, ill, displaced, and
orphaned wild animals—from bats to wolves to eagles to woodpeckers—with
the goal of releasing physically fit and psychologically sound animals
back into their natural habitat. Each animal is examined, diagnosed,
and treated through a program of veterinary care, hospital care,
feeding, medicating, physical therapy, exercising, and prerelease
conditioning.
For
rehabilitation to be deemed successful, released animals must be
able to truly function as wild animals. This includes being able
to recognize and obtain the appropriate foods, select mates of their
own species and reproduce, and show the appropriate fear of potential
dangers (people, cars, dogs, etc.). To accomplish this, releases
are planned for appropriate weather, season, habitat, and location.
Some animals
brought into wildlife rehabilitation centers in Washington, of course,
are not releasable. Some of these animals can provide valuable research
information and some are suitable as educational aids; others may
need to be euthanized.
Some people
advocate for “letting nature take its course,” indicating
that injured, ill, and orphaned wild animals should be allowed to
meet their natural fate. However, records indicate that the majority
of distressed animals handled by rehabilitators are suffering not
because of “natural” occurrences, but because of human
intervention. Some of these are accidental, some are intentional,
and many are preventable—such as those by vehicles, mowers,
pets, high-voltage wires, firearms, traps, poisons, and oil spills.
Trained rehabilitators
that are permitted through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
are a link in the network of people and agencies working with wildlife.
Some are involved in research, captive propagation, and reintroduction
projects. Many are involved in public education, exposing both children
and adults to biological facts, ecological concepts, and a responsible
attitude toward all living things.
Because most
rehabilitators are swamped with injured and orphaned animals during
spring and summer months, they sometimes cannot take in animals
for care. Many wild animals found by the public do not need to be
rescued. The public can help by always consulting a rehabilitator,
delaying intervention if possible, and working toward a solution
that does not necessitate the handling of the animal.
Wildlife rehabilitation
is a profession that is licensed by the state of Washington. Most
rehabilitators, however, are volunteers and pay any expenses out
of their own pockets. Typically, their capability (both financial
and timewise) is limited and the demand is great, given all the
calls from the public for assistance. Your WDFW
Regional Office keeps a list of rehabilitators and can tell
you which ones serve your area, or you can look under “Animals”
or “Wildlife” in your phone directory.
Note:
Per WAC
232-12-275, it is unlawful to possess wildlife for the purpose
of rehabilitation without first obtaining a valid Washington State
"Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit."
Additional Information
International
Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
Washington
Wildlife Rehabilitation Association
Wildlife
Rehabilitation Information Directory
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