mammalian wildlife Flashcards
same as rodents
define ‘wildlife rehabilitation’
treatment and temp care of injured, diseased, displaced indigenous animals,
and/with the intention of subsequent release of healthy animals to appt habitats in the wild
arguments AGAINST wildlife rehab. (3)
- death is part of nature (survival of fittest)
- wrong for humans to interfere
- only focuses on welfare of indiv animal, doesn’t consider wider ecosystem/on perspective of population level
arguments FOR wildlife rehab. (3)
- humans play large role in harming welfare and health of wild animals e.g. pollution/hab. loss/injury
- individuals are important when supporting endangered/’vulnerable’ wildlife
- maintaining food chain is crucial for ecosystem balance
HANDLING - hedgehogs
- easy to catch, ball up when scared
- to uncurl: firmly stroke spines from neck-rump - or - hold with head facing down just above table
HANDLING - squirrels
- will often freeze and hold breathe OR aggressive e.g. biting
- catch using nets/wire cones/squeeze cage for cats
- bite through gauntlet leather, metal gloves restrict grip too much
HANDLING - foxes and badgers
- aggressive when try to escape
- catch via net/box
- restrain using quick release dog catcher (keep physical restrain to min. - sedation better to reduce stress and risk e.g. injury)
- scruff, use muzzles
- full PPE (?)
- gauntlets not useful (+ metal ones restrict grip)
HANDLING - deer
- if recumbent approach with caution - likely to attempt escape
- cover eyes
- cargo nets/blankets to restrain body
- care with horn/antlers
- seek specialist advice
the aim of triage (in terms of mammalian wildlife)
who can do this?
differentiate between wildlife that have good chance of survival and eventual release,
and those requiring immediate euthanasia
both vets and nurses
3 questions to ask yourself when triaging mammalian wildlife
1 good chance of success? (surv and eventual release)
2 how long will recovery take?
3 do we have appt facilities/money?
remember may req specialist treatment, and not paid for by a client
mammalian wildlife in practice - the 4 case outcomes
treatment and immediate/next day release
treatment and rehab. period before release
euth. (immediate/after diagnostics)
death DESPITE treatment
in practice - captive housing set ups include…
- quiet/warm/secure/no predators
- towels/newspaper/hay/straw (- substrate?)
- hides/shelters
- fresh drinking water always avail
- hygiene: daily clean AND disinfect (F10??)
- barrier nursing (precautions/control to prevent disease from animal to human AND VICE VERSA)
- appt captive diet
rehabilitation set ups include…
(hint - what’s different from practice set ups?)
SAME AS PRACTICE SET UPS, PLUS:
- CCTV monitoring
- feeding methods that avoid human interaction
- separate areas for diff species
- inside AND outside housing
- secure PADDOCKS for larger species
captive diets - carnivores/omnivores (3)
***(when you’re looking back over - add e.g. species for each??)
road killed wildlife
earthworms
BOUGHT in chicks/mice
(“critical care food” = good TEMPORARY alternative)
captive diets - insectivores (3)
earth worms
maggots
mealworms
(“critical care food” = good TEMPORARY alternative)
captive diets - herbivores (3)
weeds
BOUGHT in salad/veg
seeds/grain
(“critical care food” = good TEMPORARY alternative)
