Wildlife Rehab is FUN

 

Wildlife Rehab is FUN

When people first hear there is such a profession as caring for the injured and orphaned native wild animals, usually the first word uttered is FUN. The reality of accepting responsibility for the wellbeing and very life of a living being is, in a word DAUNTING.

If providing necessary medical, behavioral, psychological, and emotional care were easy, state wildlife agencies would not require citizens to be licensed. The reality is rehabbers respond to the community of caring citizens when their cat brings in a songbird, when their dog uses a turtle as a chew toy or they witnessed a vehicle aim for and intentionally run over a wild animal. They also respond when the goose family group has been separated and youngsters are wandering the roadside, when a mother raccoon has been killed and her offspring were found under the shed days later, when the lawnmower ran over the nest of baby cottontail rabbits. These caring individuals have knowledge, training, experience and networks to guide them. This harsh reality is, in a word, CHALLENGING.

As a 501c3 nonprofit with the mission to also provide education and awareness on how to keep Idaho WILD, your local wildlife rehabilitation organization also offers programs and presentations. In years past: youth summer camp, guided nature walks, children’s’ books as well as anecdotal books for older readers, public booths, and outreach events. We have spoken on important topics such as cohabitation, healthy habitats and the value of each species. Interacting with our human neighbors has been ENJOYABLE.

Did you know that recent surveys report 90% of all wild animals admitted at rehab centers are there because of human causes. To be able to return an individual who through no fault of its own was traumatized back to the home territory is what this profession is all about. There is a saying amongst professional wildlife rehabbers – every animal which crosses the threshold has already been claimed by death. That animal has already had the hand of death lay hands upon it.

When we are able to stand between death and that patient and succeed, the word is RESTORATIVE.

Wildlife rehabilitation is not the same as raising a domestic animal. Domestics have been reliant upon humans for thousands of years. Food items are created for domestics not wild animals. Domestics want to be held and interact. A wild animal wants nothing to do with humans. The boundary is respected and there is no desire to cross it. A wildlife rehabilitator honors that aspect and using wisdom gained through more than reading one online article. The reality is a ‘tame’ wild animal is a ‘dead’ wild animal.  

Wildlife rehabilitation is a calling. Wildlife rehabilitation is a career without the salary. Wildlife rehabilitation is a public service to help the native neighbors. Wildlife rehabilitation is provided by no other entity than private citizens who accept the daunting challenges with a smile and enjoy restoring a small piece of nature one animal at a time.

Wildlife rehabilitators need public support to continue the vital missions. Without supportive society, a wildlife rehabilitator is EXTINCT.