home > articles and papers
regulations
publications
Wildlife Rehabilitation Articles and Papers
Wildlife Rehabilitators Do More than People Realize
Discussions about the benefits provided by wildlife rehabilitators often focus only on the animals receiving care and being released back to the wild. Rehabilitation of individual wild animals is a major objective and certainly valuable, especially for animal receiving care. However, rehabilitators provide a wider variety of services than most people may realize. This paper describes some of those services.
Wildlife Rehabilitators Contribute to Public Health
In addition to helping wild animals regain their health, wildlife rehabilitators activities can positively impact human health. This paper describes several ways that rehabilitators support public health, such as provide a facility to take care of wildlife, communicate information to the public about wildlife, reduce transmission of wildlife diseases, and inform wildlife and health agencies about wildlife health problems.
Rabbits Die of Cat Bites, So Why the Fuss?
It is all too common for small birds and mammals that have been injured by cats to be presented to rehabilitators. Many of these injured animals die as a result of the cat bites, either because the severe punctures or lacerations, or the infection transmitted by the bacteria from the cat’s mouth. This case shows the importance of a rehabilitator paying close attention and acting on what might have seemed like an all too familiar case of a rabbit dying of a cat bite, but was really a zoonotic disease. The article closes with reminders for rehabilitators, such as collecting the rescuer’s contact information, using safe handling protocols, and not assuming that an obvious problem described by the rescuer is the primary consideration.
Tips for Taking Photographs of Wildlife In Rehabilitation
Rehabilitators often take photographs of wildlife in rehabilitation. While some of the photographs turn out well and are useful, many are not. Here are some tips from fellow rehabilitators to help you achieve better and more useable photographs – and prevent difficulties for wildlife.
Strategies to Reduce Wildlife Needing Rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitation is more than helping wildlife that has been injured, orphaned, or displaced in order to return them to the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators work diligently to prevent wildlife from being injured, orphaned, or displaced. The following identifies a few strategies to help reduce the numbers of wild animals coming into rehabilitation. It is a starter list meant to stimulate our discussion about how to prevent problems and keep wild creatures in the wild.
A Survey of Conditions Seen in Wildlife Admitted for Wildlife Rehabilitation
Allan M. Casey, III and Shirley J. Casey
This study examined the results of about 150,000 wildlife cases to determine the most frequently seen conditions in wildlife rehabilitation. This paper was presented at the 2000 NWRA conference in Milwaukee, WI and published in the Conference Proceedings.
Utilizing Squirrel Natural History In Rehabilitation Decisions
Shirley J. Casey
The natural history of a wildlife species provides critical information for wildlife rehabilitators providing care for young and adult animals. This information is used to make many rehabilitation decisions, such as whether rescue is needed or release is possible, medical treatment, cage design, diet, and release habitat. This paper compares how natural history information is used with different species of squirrels, including tree and ground squirrels. It was first published in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Volume 19, 2001.
Modifying A Feeding Nipple - reducing the risk of aspiration in young squirrels
Shirley J. Casey
Young squirrels in captivity may get formula in their lungs due to being fed with a utensil or nipple that does not match the mother squirrel's nipple size. Such aspiration problems can be fatal for the squirrel. This article describes modifying a feeding nipple to make it easier to control the flow of formula. Additional tips on preventing and treating aspiration problems are available in the Squirrel Rehabilitation Handbook.
When the Public Calls the Veterinary Clinic for Help with Wildlife
Shirley J. Casey
When the public finds a wild animal that they think needs help – whether it is abandoned, injured, or somehow in distress – many contact a veterinary clinic. However, most veterinary are not as knowledgeable or prepared to handle wildlife calls as they are the domestic species that they work with on a day to day basis. This article offers some tips on preparing for calls about wild animals or when they are admitted to the clinic. This article is available for reprint by contacting ewildagain@aol.com for written permission. It was first published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association in April, 2002.
Articles and Papers
This section of the website contains a collection of articles, papers and conference proceedings.
The squirrel natural history paper shows how that information is necessary in making rehab decisions.
Copyright 2002. © WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. All Rights Reserved unless otherwise stated.