Wildlife rehabilitation

'''Rescue:'''

'''Rescue:'''

Rehabilitation begins when an animal is found and reported to a wildlife rehabilitator or seized from the illegal [[wildlife trade]] or a poacher. If one finds wildlife in need of rescue, it can be dangerous or even illegal to interact with the animal yourself; be sure to contact a licensed rehabilitator before taking action. Unfortunately, oftentimes unsupervised individuals will perform procedures that would require the knowledge and skills of a veterinarian without seeking them out first, this often results in difficulties in the recovery process.

Rehabilitation begins when an animal is found and reported to a wildlife rehabilitator or seized from the illegal [[wildlife trade]] or a poacher. If one finds wildlife in need of rescue, it can be dangerous or even illegal to interact with the animal yourself; be sure to contact a licensed rehabilitator before taking action. Unfortunately, oftentimes unsupervised individuals will perform procedures that would require the knowledge and skills of a veterinarian without seeking them out first, this often results in difficulties in the recovery process.>{{Cite web |title=Secure Request and Redirect |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/stanilpo7&div=3&g_sent=1&casa_token=&collection=journals |access-date=2026-04-23 |website=heinonline.org}}>

The facility relies on the public to bring the wildlife in to be treated, this leads to the majority of animals being admitted being those that untrained individuals are willing to handle. The most common reason for admission is orphaned/abandoned animals, but oftentimes they are not actually orphaned, therefore educating the public in the determining factors for if a baby is actually orphaned. There is a big change in the number and variability of species being admitted based on the seasons. This has a big part to do with baby season for animals, as it is often juvenile animals that are injured and admitted into the rehabilitation centers.{{cite journal |last1=Grogan |first1=A. |last2=Kelly |first2=A. |title=A review of RSPCA research into wildlife rehabilitation |journal=Veterinary Record |date=February 2013 |volume=172 |issue=8 |page=211 |doi=10.1136/vr.101139 |pmid=23436601 }}

The facility relies on the public to bring the wildlife in to be treated, this leads to the majority of animals being admitted being those that untrained individuals are willing to handle. The most common reason for admission is orphaned/abandoned animals, but oftentimes they are not actually orphaned, therefore educating the public in the determining factors for if a baby is actually orphaned. There is a big change in the number and variability of species being admitted based on the seasons. This has a big part to do with baby season for animals, as it is often juvenile animals that are injured and admitted into the rehabilitation centers.{{cite journal |last1=Grogan |first1=A. |last2=Kelly |first2=A. |title=A review of RSPCA research into wildlife rehabilitation |journal=Veterinary Record |date=February 2013 |volume=172 |issue=8 |page=211 |doi=10.1136/vr.101139 |pmid=23436601 }}

'''Assessment and Treatment:'''

'''Assessment and Treatment:'''

Wildlife rehabilitators are not veterinarians but they are permitted to provide treatment for injured animals under the guidance and surveilance of a licensed veterinarian. Regardless, they still require the same amount of training as other medial technical professions. Some animals who suffer from severe injuries or illnesses that leave them beyond saving have to be [[Animal euthanasia|euthanized]]. The best initial treatment recommended is fluid therapy, which involves stabilizing the animal by leaving them in a warm, quiet, dark enclosure for destressing. Other important treatment factor to consider is the [[Refeeding syndrome|Refeeding Syndrome]] which could impose severe damage to the animals' physiology if they are not treated with fluids and warmth before being fed solid food {{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Patricia |title=Wildlife Rehabilitation Manual |date=2019 |publisher=Washington: Department of Fish and Wildlife |edition=3rd |location=Washington |pages=4–28}}.

Wildlife rehabilitators are not veterinarians but they are permitted to provide treatment for injured animals under the guidance and surveilance of a licensed veterinarian. Regardless, they still require the same amount of training as other medial technical professions. Some animals who suffer from severe injuries or illnesses that leave them beyond saving have to be [[Animal euthanasia|euthanized]]{{Cite book |last=Vogelnest |first=Larry |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=lWbgqMsyq8UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1992&dq=refeeding+syndrome+in+animals+wildlife+rehabilitation&ots=BXDR78zYun&sig=bRKzdZOWtqb8C2X4P7wEicdqX9g#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Medicine of Australian Mammals |last2=Woods |first2=Rupert |date=2008-08-18 |publisher=Csiro Publishing |isbn=978-0-643-09928-9 |language=en}}. The best initial treatment recommended is fluid therapy, which involves stabilizing the animal by leaving them in a warm, quiet, dark enclosure for destressing. Other important treatment factor to consider is the [[Refeeding syndrome|Refeeding Syndrome]] which could impose severe damage to the animals' physiology if they are not treated with fluids and warmth before being fed solid food {{Cite book |last=Thompson |first=Patricia |title=Wildlife Rehabilitation Manual |date=2019 |publisher=Washington: Department of Fish and Wildlife |edition=3rd |location=Washington |pages=4–28}}{{Citation |last=Chan |first=Daniel L. |title=Refeeding syndrome in small animals |date=2015-05-11 |work=Nutritional Management of Hospitalized Small Animals |pages=159–164 |editor-last=Chan |editor-first=Daniel L. |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119052951.ch16 |access-date=2026-04-23 |edition=1 |publisher=Wiley |language=en |doi=10.1002/9781119052951.ch16 |isbn=978-1-4443-3647-4}}.

Rehabilitators practice [[triage]], which is a series of guidelines and process to assess the urgency of an animal's injury and evaluate which specific conditions warrant more attention. In wildlife rehabilitation most of the essential framework of the triage typically used in the medical world, is preserved, however it is slightly adjusted in light of rehabilitation potential and eventual release as well as the availability of training facilities and other resources .  To prevent any complications and further damage, triage decisions should also be made within 48 hours of admission .

Rehabilitators practice [[triage]], which is a series of guidelines and process to assess the urgency of an animal's injury and evaluate which specific conditions warrant more attention. In wildlife rehabilitation most of the essential framework of the triage typically used in the medical world, is preserved, however it is slightly adjusted in light of rehabilitation potential and eventual release as well as the availability of training facilities and other resources .  To prevent any complications and further damage, triage decisions should also be made within 48 hours of admission .

Bio-containment risks present a great threat and make veterinary practices impractical and ineffective for long-term care. Furthermore, animals must undergo different types of assessments prior to being released, to ensure full recovery. For birds specifically, flight training, which mimics its natural wildlife ecosystems often uses large flight cages for bats and falconry-style training for raptors .

[[Biocontainment|Bio-containment]] risks present a great threat and make veterinary practices impractical and ineffective for long-term care. Furthermore, animals must undergo different types of assessments prior to being released, to ensure full recovery. For birds specifically, flight training, which mimics its natural wildlife ecosystems often uses large flight cages for bats and falconry-style training for raptors .

'''Recording Information:  '''

'''Recording Information:  '''