Intro to Wildlife Rehabilitation

Question 1

What is wildlife rehabilitation?

Answer 1

The keeping of sick, injured, or immature (orphaned) wildlife in captivity on a temporary basis.

Question 2

What is the keystone of successful rehabilitation

Answer 2

Released wildlife must function as WILD

Question 3

3 things released wildlife must be able to do

Answer 3

1. Recognize and obtain appropriate foods
2. Select mates of their own species and reproduce
3. Show appropriate behaviour including fear of potential dangers

Question 4

What is a wildlife custodian

Answer 4

A parson who can keep injured, sick, or immature game or specially protected wildlife in captivity to rehabilitate them.

Question 5

Who can keep or rehabilitate wildlife

Answer 5

-People transporting or keeping wildlife for less than 24 hrs for transport to a vet or wildlife custodian
-Vet
-Wildlife custodian
-Foster care giver, as designated by the wildlife custodian

Question 6

Wildlife custodians must: (4)

Answer 6

1. Ensure wildlife being brought into rehab actually need care.
2. Keep and care only for wildlife that have a high change of successful rehab and release
3. Release wildlife as soon as possible
4. Abide by conditions of their Wildlife Custodian Authorization

Question 7

Importance of public education

Answer 7

What is said to the public can strongly impact their views on wild animals and conservation.

For example: knowing Ontario only has one native venomous snake is important to diffuse fear of snakes in the province

Question 8

4 examples of zoonotic diseases

Answer 8

Rabies
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
SARS
Baylisascaris (roundworm)

Question 9

4 competing priorities in wildlife rehabilitation

Answer 9

Time, finances, liability, outcome

Question 10

What should you do when you run into something new that you don’t know how to deal with

Answer 10

Ask a more experienced wildlife custodian or vet, and research expert sources from IWRC and NWRA.

Question 11

What makes a species more important than the other

Answer 11

Rarity. Non-native species shouldn’t take priority.

Question 12

Should wildlife rehabbers consider individuals or populations

Answer 12

Both. They should look at the individual animal in care and the potential impacts on the wider population.

For example: quarantine and disinfection to prevent spread of disease.