Building a Sustainable Future for Wildlife and Our Community

The Truth About Wildlife

Mission- build a sustainable future for wildlife in our community through medical treatment, rehabilitation, educational outreach, research, and conservation activities.

Center for Wildlife

Medical treatment, rehabilitation processes, and daily care of injured/orphaned wild animals until they are able to be returned back into the wild.

Wildlife Rehabilitators: have state and federal permits work closely with a licensed veterinarian have the proper housing and training to care for each species safely.

There is no state or federal funding or program for the medical

care of wild animals.

What is Wildlife Rehabilitation?

90-95% human caused injuriesCars, power lines and

windows, domestic cats, power lines, oil spills, habitat loss, etc.

Quality of Life

Public Safety

Difference between domestic and wildlife: Fear of humans

Why not just let nature take its course?

Species We Treat

BirdsSmall MammalsReptilesServe ~ 100 mile

radius of York, ME

Visit NWRA website and find your state

Find out who does marine animals

Call your local rehabbers and find out:What species they

takeWhat is their

capacityWhat is their range

Get to know your local rehabilitator

Tips

Nesting Dates for Common Species

The Myth and the Legend- What’s True? If you touch a baby bird or baby mammal

you can’t put it back in the nest- the mom will reject it

Any baby without a parent around needs help

Loons cannot walk on land

If you can catch an adult wild animal, it needs help

Animals do not feel pain the way humans do

Opossums are dirty and carry rabies

Porcupines can throw their quills

If a nocturnal animal is out during the day it most likely has rabies

Most bats have rabies and should be removed from buildings and barns immediately

Handler safetyPlan Ahead- Work

EfficientlyProper positioningFight or Flee

DefenseDiminish sense

perceptionsUse minimum

restraintEquipment

RodentsOpossumsPorcupinesRaccoons, foxes, weasels,

bobcats, etcCoyotesRaptorsWaterbirdsWaterfowlSongbirdsTurtlesBats

Wild Animal Capture and Restraint Tips

Capture and Restraint Species Specific

Transport TipsKeep animals in closed containers:

STRESS! Every contact takes energy from patientSHOCK can killSAFETY for both animal and rescuer

Monitor Temperature:Babies and trauma victims need heat (water bottle or

snuggle safe)Any animal that has just been chased can easily

overheat- watch for panting and open-mouth breathing

DO NOT FEED UNTIL THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN MONITOREDFood and water can kill if not stableThe wrong diet can be deadly

Wildlife Rehabilitation Laws It is legal for ACO’s and general public to

transport wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for medical treatment (in accordance with IF&W and NH Fish and Game)

Wildlife rehabilitators must have a federal permit to treat birds (excluding some game and introduced species)

Wildlife rehabilitators must have a state permit to treat mammals and reptiles

Individuals and organizations must have an education and exhibition permit to house wild animals permanently

Because of WNS it is now illegal to remove bats from unoccupied buildings during May 15th-August 15th in NH

Endangered and threatened species protected from killing, harassment, taking, or injuring species listed. Maximum penalty is up to $13,000 fine.

Public Interest Center for Wildlife receives over 10,000

phone calls per year from the general public

Many callers are frustrated as they have made several phone calls to local vets, police departments, animal shelters, etc and no one can help

Most members of the public call to check on their patient and want to be involved with the release

Since 1986 public has brought over 20,000 wild animals to Center for Wildlife

Center for Wildlife hosts over 70 volunteers and 20+ college interns each year

Q & A

1. What is your initial response?

2. What would you advise public?

3. If you had to capture/restrain/transport

the animal, how would you do it?

4. Who would you bring it to?

5. Did you learn anything new?

Scenario Discussion