Wildlife Rehabilitation
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Backyard Birding - Birding can be very rewarding in your own backyard.
Birding Elsewhere - Experiences after joining the local birding group
Hummingbirds - Jewels of the garden
Insects - Some are good, some are bad, do you know which is which?
Herb Garden - Herbs that do well in our area
Gardening for wildlife - Our backyard wildlife habitat, going organic, and using native plants
Zen Garden - A zen garden with wildlife in mind
Wildlife Rehabilitation -- You are here!
If you would like to volunteer to help a licensed rehabilitator here are some links you can check out:
You have found an injured bird or wild animal and need help:
Just my own take on it...
I would like to know how to aid injured or orphaned wildlife that I happen upon. Specifically wildlife that has been injured or orphaned by humans directly or indirectly, such as in the case of natural habitat being destroyed for housing or business, feral or domestic animals, vehicle collisions, building collisions, pollution.
I have talked at length with members of the wildlife community and it seems as though the overwhelming believe exists that if we humans spent more time maintaining wildlife habitats in our yards and communities, purchasing sustainable products, being less of the consumers we are, that our positive effect on survival of wildlife would far outweigh the effort involved in saving one wild critter.
I have difficulty striking a balance between the want to render aid and the need to go to the source and fix the problem.
Probably most people who will stop when they see injured wildlife wish they knew more about what to do to help. I am one of those kinds of people. In the case of most wild animals (especially birds) there are federal laws in place that make it illegal to touch, capture, or intervene in anyway.
Unless the laws have changed by the time that you read this, currently you must volunteer (or serve an apprenticeship) with a licensed rehabber for two years before you can apply to become a licensed rehabber yourself.
When I last checked, you could view the requirements set forth by our US government - that you must follow to become a licensed rehabber by going HERE. Also you must know that most likely there are requirements you must meet specified by your state government. For example, Here is what the state of Texas says you must do: Texas Parks and Wildlife Requirements and the forms you must fill out for Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife permit index
IWRC and NWRA are the two main rehabilitation organizations in the United States. The Government has collaborated with these two organizations to put together the guidelines that rehabilitators must follow.
Lastly, I think it is important that folks realize rehabbing is not paid for by the goverment! Most rehabbers are volunteers who donate their own time and their own money.
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education (WR&E) - Oiled Wildlife Response Workshop
On February 22, 2001 I had the opportunity to attend an Oiled
Wildlife Emergency Response Workshop. It was hosted by the
Brazoria County Sheriff's Department. The workshop was held
at the Brazoria County Sheriff's Department and Detention facility.
The speakers were great. Many representatives (Sharon Schmalz,
Kim Walker, Michele Johnson, Lisa Parker, and Connie Bailey to
name a few) from the oil response team were present, along with
Dr. Brian Cain from The United States Fish and Wildlife service.
I learned a lot of interesting information and gained a great
deal of respect for the tasks that the response teams undertake
when they assist in the clean up.
My personal favorite part of the day was when we all donned
our PPE and went outside to scrub oiled goose wings. It is quite
amazing how much aggitation it takes to wash a small amount
of oil out of a wing.
One of the many things I learned was about triage. Triage
being the procedure that takes place before a bird is ever
washed. This seems to be the most important part of ensuring
any bird survives exposure to oil.
A wonderful lunch was served, we had fresh fried-fish,
black-eyed peas and cabbage.
To anyone who is considering getting involved in this type of
work, I encourage you to do so. I found these folks all to be
very nice and VERY informative. I had a wonderful time listening
to all the stories folks had to share and observing all the
critters that were brought to the workshop.
I personally want to thank the folks involved for taking the time
to teach us about the whole procedure. And I would like to
issue a special thanks to the "demo duck" for his patience.
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