1. Realities of wildlife rehabilitation

People considering becoming a wildlife rehabilitator need to be aware of the activities, requirements, resources, time, costs, and other factors before they make the decision to get a rehabilitation license. This session uses and expands on the booklet: Wildlife Rehabilitation: Is It For You? Potential rehabilitators are strongly encouraged to review this information and discuss it with their families before applying for a rehabilitation license.

2. Wildlife rehabilitation purpose, ethics and minimum standards

This session begins with the overall purpose and goal of wildlife rehabilitation. It reviews the wildlife rehabilitators’ code of ethics and minimum standards developed by the national wildlife rehabilitation professional associations. These concepts lay the foundation for and serve to guide many day-to-day decisions and actions taken by rehabilitators.

3. Regulations affecting wildlife rehabilitation

Regulations adopted by state and/or federal wildlife agencies govern the issuance of permits and licenses as well as the activity wildlife rehabilitation. Regulations specify such things as personal qualifications of applicants, caging, release of animals, and reporting requirements. Kathy Konishi, Special Permits Manager of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, discusses the Colorado state wildlife rehabilitation regulations and summarizes some of the other regulations affecting wildlife rehabilitation.

4. Use of natural history in wildlife rehabilitation

Natural history provides the foundation for many wildlife rehabilitation decisions and practices. This session defines natural history and how this information is used during rehabilitation. It describes how rehabilitators can learn the natural history of the species they rehabilitate. The session also describes how to identify wildlife species, including difficult to identify nestling birds.

5. Wildlife diseases

Wild animals are susceptible to a wide variety of diseases and parasites in the wild. Some wild animals admitted to rehabilitation may already be carriers of a diseases or parasite, or they may contract one while in captivity. This session describes some common wildlife diseases (including zoonotic diseases), transmission methods, treatment options, and ways to control or prevent diseases. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is of special concern due to its impact on ungulates in Colorado.

6. Wildlife rehabilitation facilities and caging                                                  

The typical cage suitable to be used in wildlife rehabilitation cannot be purchased at the local hardware store or ordered through a catalog. However, it is essential that wild animals in rehabilitation be kept in appropriate facilities. This session will begin with basic facility and caging design criteria as described in regulation and minimum standards. It will describe and show examples of different types of cages for birds and mammals that provide for shelter, prevention of stress, safety, recovery, normal development and activity, sanitation, and so forth. The session will also describe options for acquiring and building cages of various sizes and shapes. 

7. Release criteria, processes, and considerations

Effective and prompt release back to the wild is a primary objective of wildlife rehabilitation. This session describes the criteria to prepare and assess a wild animal’s readiness for release back to the wild. It includes other considerations, such as pre-release acclimation, selection of a release site, timing, transport, and more.

8. Euthanasia in wildlife rehabilitation

Some wild animals presented to rehabilitation are medically compromised enough such that survival is doubtful, either in beginning an immediate course of rehabilitation or in a prognosis for later release back to the wild. It is critical for rehabilitators to be familiar with euthanasia criteria for different species in order to make such decisions in an effective and timely manner. This session describes who is involved with and responsible for such decisions. Euthanasia methods and carcass disposal methods are described and assessed for different species. Other considerations, such as rehabilitator stress are also mentioned.

9. Public contact and wildlife calls (hotline)

Members of the public often contact rehabilitators directly about wild animals in distress. Many rehabilitators may receive hundreds of public calls per year. This session provides tips on working with the public, whether they want general advice, information on a specific animal in need, or other wildlife related topics. Effective responses can prevent or help reduce risk and injury to wildlife – and reduce the chance that the animals will be harmed and admitted to rehabilitation. This session describes common human conflicts with wildlife and ways to address them.

10. Basic first aid and medical problem-solving for wildlife species

Many wild animals admitted to rehabilitation arrive with one or more health conditions that require quick diagnosis and prompt treatment. This session describes common wildlife health problems, how to recognize them, possible causes, treatment options, levels of severity, timing of and need to contact a veterinarian, and possible action a veterinarian may take. Conditions described include shock, dehydration, general trauma, wounds, fractures, head and spinal traumas, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal conditions, and parasites.

11. Rescue, capture and transport to other rehabilitators  

New rehabilitators need training in how to safely rescue, capture and transport wildlife species, either to their own facility, to their veterinarian, or to other rehabilitators. This session provides some helpful tips and considerations when capturing or transporting a wide range of species, including passerines, waterfowl, raptors, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

12. Health considerations for people rehabilitating wildlife                               

While there are risks with everything in life, rehabilitators are exposed to some that are different from many other people due to their daily interaction with wildlife. This session identifies some of the risks involved with rehabilitation, such as injuries, exposure to toxins, zoonotic diseases, working with the public, and stress. Some of the more common methods to manage and minimize risks are mentioned.

13. Building wildlife rehab knowledge, skill and experience                              

This session offers a variety of suggestions to help the new person learn about wildlife rehabilitation. It suggests some resources and references for continued learning. The session provides tips on selecting and working with a wildlife rehabilitation sponsor. In addition, the session offers some ideas on evaluating wildlife rehabilitation learning opportunities and information.