IDAHO REHABBERS REJECTED & REFUSED
"Idaho is full of wild spaces - over 83,000 square miles of land. Sadly, there are only a small handful of nonprofit organizations (AIRforWILDLIFE.org) helping the wild animal species which have become injured or orphaned through no fault of their own. Only 8 community supported volunteer operated facilities approved in the entire state. Each region is independently managed. Some regions allow no species, others only birds of prey, others only nongame mammals. Each person who began their nonprofit charitable organization has given time talent and treasure for 20, 30, 40 years and never accepted a penny from the state or federal agencies. The goal has always been for these founders to pass the baton onto the next generation therefore ensuring Idaho remains WILD.
Over 90% of admitted patients are due to human cause. Thousands of telephone calls, emails and patients are accepted each year! Causes vary from domestic cat attack, domestic dog attack, inadvertent kidnapping, hit by car, tree trimming and branch removal at improper time, unintentional orphaning due to killing the mother, window strikes, intentional acts of cruelty.
Many of the rehabbers are members of the international wildlife rehabilitators council and / or national wildlife rehabilitation association. These individuals have special training and years of experience. These dedicated individuals are all exclusively community supported and most volunteer their time. No federal, state or county funds support their missions.
Idaho fish and game has never supported professional wildlife rehabbers. In 2015, IDFG regional manager stated in a magazine article, there is a "social side" to rehab but it offers "dubious value biologically". The additional comment that "animals in the wild should be left be" is blatantly ignorant. There has been documented and proven records announcing the alarming trends seen by professionals for years. The reality of a wild animal being admitted to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility due to 'natural causes' is less than 10 percent. Fewer than one out of ten animals has become injured or orphaned because of nature such as a wind storm. It is not nature taking its course when an animal is suffering.
We humans are to blame and now Idaho State has tied the hands of those too few individuals who were trying with all their blood, sweat and tears to correct our egregious errors. Those trained, experienced, licensed and permitted individuals who have been helping return a wild animal back to the very habitat which it belongs. These individuals forsaking family time, forsaking full time jobs, forsaking their own futures and attempting to fill the need for that wild animal which should have the opportunity to live and thrive. The animal is not treated as a pet nor held captive. The goal of every rehabber is for the patient to absolutely hate their caregiver. A wild animal which looks at humans as the enemy is a success story!
Approximately 280 species call Idaho home. Yet only one facility is authorized for black bear cubs, one is solely small mammals, one is for all bird species, three are for only birds of prey, one is all types of mammals (excluding hoof stock), one for deer fawns, one helps small mammals and a few bird species, and one accepted all nongame species of mammals as well as all birds (excluding eagles).
Several years ago, the state denied the licensed experienced ungulate rehabber permission to care for orphaned elk and moose calves. A few years ago, the state has refused to allow an orphan black bear cub facility to be created in the panhandle. In 2024, idfg stopped deer fawn rehab. In 2025, announced no new rehab permits will be approved. Additionally, no existing permits would be renewed.
The state "wildlife" agency would rather let a wild animal starve or suffer and die slowly from mortal injuries than recognize the importance and value of professional wildlife rehabilitation. There IS biological value. Rehabbers contribute to their human communities by educating and also the scientific community. The individual wild animal returned to the natural environment contributes as well.
Curious about the statistics? connect with the two professional membership organizations. International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) and National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA).
Additionally disconcerting is the fact idaho politicians looking to pass legislation removing relocation as an option for wild animals who have been habituated by humans. These animals will be euthanized.
IDFG has never supported wildlife rehabbers, so what exactly does the idaho state nongame animal program support?
What is the importance of a nature center without offering subsequent information and education about how to keep Idaho WILD including lessons on cohabitation?Without rehabbers teaching and sharing their knowledge, who will provide information to the general public?
Professionals and compassionate citizens alike are heartbroken, outraged, frustrated... wild lives matter. wildlife rehabbers matter. why idaho.
