Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of caring for injured, sick, orphaned, or displaced wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat. It involves medical treatment, temporary housing, and specialized care for a variety of species, from birds and mammals to reptiles and amphibians. Wildlife rehabilitation combines veterinary science, wildlife conservation, and animal welfare to ensure that animals have the best chance for recovery and survival after facing challenges such as injury, disease, or human interference.
In addition to caring for animals, wildlife rehabilitators often work to educate the public about conservation, habitat protection, and how to coexist with wildlife. They play an essential role in addressing the effects of human activities on wild animal populations, including habitat destruction, pollution, and vehicle collisions.
Rehabilitation facilities often admitted hundreds to thousands of animals annually with the causes for admission vary depending on the taxonomic group. [1] There are primarily birds and mammals that are brought into rehabilitation facilities followed by reptiles then amphibians.[2] A lot of rehabilitation centers are also tied in public outreach programs in an attempt to reduce the threats to wildlife, particularly through human-wildlife conflicts. [3]
While traditional human-wildlife interactions in the forms of hunting and trapping have declined over time there has been an increase in the presence and use of wildlife rehabilitation centers showing the transition in how the public is engaging with local wildlife.[2]
Wildlife rehabilitation requires specialized knowledge and training in wildlife biology, veterinary medicine, and animal care. Work performed by wildlife rehabilitators has a focus on the individual level and adequately distributes resources to help the most individuals. Practitioners are oftentimes motivated by compassion and beliefs in the importance of welfare and environmental protection similar to conservation scientist's values. [4][3]
The process typically follows these steps:
Rescue:
Rehabilitation begins when an animal is found and reported to a wildlife rehabilitator or seized from the illegal wildlife trade or a poacher. If you find wildlife in need of rescue, it can be dangerous or even illegal to interact with the animal yourself; be sure to contact a licensed rehabilitator before taking action. Unfortunately, oftentimes unsupervised individuals will perform procedures that would require the knowledge and skills of a veterinarian without seeking them out first, this often results in difficulties in the recovery process.[4]
The facility relies on the public to bring the wildlife in to be treated, this leads to the majority of animals being admitted being those that untrained individuals are willing to handle. The most common reason for admission is orphaned/abandoned animals, but oftentimes they are not actually orphaned, therefore educating the public in the determining factors for if a baby is actually orphaned. [1] There is a big change in the number and variability of species being admitted based on the seasons. This has a big part to do with baby season for animals, as it is often juvenile animals that are injured and admitted into the rehabilitation centers.[5]
Assessment and Treatment:
Upon arrival, the animal is examined by a trained wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian to determine the extent of the injury and the probability of successful rehabilitation. This can involve treating injuries, administering medication, and providing supportive care such as fluids and nutrition.
Recording Information:
Each individual animal admitted is given a unique record no matter if they came in with a group of other individuals, their life stage and even if they arrive at the center dead. After arrival a physical exam is performed to find the full extent of the injuries, these exams can be performed by veterinarians or rehabilitation center staff members. [1] When an animal is admitted specific variables are recorded, these variables include scientific species name, age, sex (if applicable), exact location found and the reason they were admitted. [5][2][1]The reason for admittance often doesn’t match up with the actual reason the animal is in distress and in need of assistance. One often example of this is when people bring in ‘orphaned’ animals, particularly birds, with no visible injuries, but when admitted are found to be cat or dog attack victims based on internal or hidden injuries. [5]
Often in records the individuals brought in are separated into general taxonomic groups, which are often birds (columbiformes, raptors, passerines, waterfowl, etc.), mammals (large mammals, small herbivores and small carnivores), rabies vector species (bats, raccoons and striped skunk), reptiles (turtles, snakes, and lizards) and amphibians (frogs and salamanders), and unknown. [2]
Individual animals are then given a category of injury based on the extensiveness of the damage after being analyzed after admission. Typically there are 5 categories, 1 meaning no apparent injury to 5 meaning near death, blind or having a fractured pelvis with. In some cases there is a sixth category that is specifically for ocular injuries to owls. These categories are important in the analysis of the effect of injury severity on particular species and their likelihood for survival. There is also a scale for traumatic injuries rating 1 to 5, 1 being concussion or head trauma, 2 being fracture, 3 being undetermined, 4 being no visible trauma and 5 being other. [1][2][5] If an animal is admitted with multiple injuries listed, it is officially listed with the primary reason for admittance, though if a disease is listed along with an injury both are recorded.[2][1] Rabies is one of the many diseases that is amongst the most public health concern, this makes animals that are presenting the symptoms of the disease less likely to be approached and brought into the rehabilitation centers. This also leads to a lack of information on rabies vector species and how they are affected in rehabilitation efforts. [1]
The animals that come in with injuries like complex fractures and deep wounds penetrating the tissue have been found to have poor release rates as well as longer periods held in care prior to release or death in care. This finding has brought the question of welfare into consideration, seeing as poor triage is equated to poor welfare. Poor welfare is associated with high stress to the animal from increased interaction, this stress is a major prevention factor in the recovery process. [5]
There are also categories for the final disposition of the animal split into 4 groups, 1 for died under care, prior to care or euthanized 2 for released, 3 for non-releasable and placed under permanent care of licensed individual or institution, and 4 for unknown either still under care or just completely unknown. [2]
Rehabilitation:
Once stabilized, the animal is placed in an appropriate setting where it can recover. This may include an aviary, enclosure, or pool, depending on the species. Animals undergo rehabilitation to regain their strength, mobility, and survival skills.
The animals' life-history strategies can affect their ability to combat increases in mortality rates in the population. R-selected species that have rapid maturity, high fecundity, and short generation times are more likely to be able to recover from declines in population. Unlike K-selected species with slow growth, low fecundity, and long generation times which are much more vulnerable to increased declines following increases in adult mortality. [3]
Rehabilitation centers generally consider the successful release of an individual to be a success, but higher up success is considered to be a proper release and integration back into the wild with a similar survival rate to their wild counterparts. There are also different requirements before an individual can be released into the wild, one being that if an animal had an amputated limb it is not allowed to be released into the wild as they are not believed to be the most successful when trying to integrate into their original environment. If it is believed that the individual being rehabilitated isn’t going to survive or is going to live but only in an unfit for life in the wild then it is expected that it will be euthanized to prevent further suffering. There is an exception if it is possible for the individual to live in captivity with a good quality of life. [5]
Release:
Eastern Cottontail being released into the wild after rehabilitation.
When an animal is fully recovered, rehabilitators aim to release it into a suitable habitat close to where it was originally found. The release site is carefully chosen to ensure the animal can thrive in its environment. Rehabilitation differs from other forms of translocations used to release animals because individuals are released at their capture site as long as it is a safe area for them to return to instead of an unfamiliar environment. Releasing rehabilitated individuals back into their original population is unlikely to affects in large numbers, but in small and threatened populations it can mean the difference between extinction and survival of the entire population. [3]
There is also the consideration of how an animal is released, as that has been found to affect the survivability of the species in the wild. There is also the consideration that particular species need more care and attention before they can be released, particularly for juveniles. [5]
It can be quite hard to determine if the animals being released are surviving, but one effective way to see if they are is to track them via radiotracking or other conservation tracking efforts. It has been found that translocations and reintroductions of wild animals are more successful than captive-bred individuals. Rehabilitated individuals have a good chance of surviving when returned to the wild after treatment. [5]
Other Outcomes:
In order to be released, an animals must be physically and mentally well and be able to survive on its own. Animals that cannot be rehabilitated are usually euthanized humanely, although animals are occasionally placed at facilities appropriately licensed for educational exhibit such as a zoo or nature center or be kept by the rehabilitator (under separate permit) as a surrogate parent for orphaned or injured young wildlife.
Preventing imprinting and habituation is important in the rehabilitation process. Imprinting occurs when a young animal, specifically young birds, begin to see the rehabilitator as their primary caregiver.[6] It is possible to reverse this process in most animals, but it is permanent with birds. Rehabilitators have to take caution when caring for young animals in order to avoid this. It is critical to establish maintain boundaries between the rehabilitator and the animal. This includes wearing a mask and gloves around animals or even covering an animal's cage with a towel to prevent contact with humans.[7]
Background
Old hunter Mazay rescuing stranded hares during snow meltfloods, portrayed in a 19th-century poem by Nikolay Nekrasov, remains a favorite character with Russia's children.
Early practices
Throughout history, various cultures have exhibited compassion toward injured animals, but wildlife rehabilitation as a specific practice began to emerge in the 20th century. In the early 1900s, conservationists and animal welfare advocates started to recognize the value of rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife. At this time, it was common for private individuals or veterinarians to care for wild animals in their homes with little formal training or regulatory oversight.
Rise of wildlife conservation (mid-20th century)
Wildlife rehabilitation became more organized during the mid-20th century, coinciding with growing global awareness of environmental issues and the need to protect biodiversity. After World War II, wildlife conservation became a major concern in the United States and other parts of the world, as habitats were destroyed by development, pollution, and industrial activities. Along with conservation efforts, the first wildlife rehabilitation centers began to emerge, focusing on treating injured or orphaned animals with the aim of releasing them back into the wild.
The U.S. saw the rise of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which played an important role in wildlife protection. It prohibited the capture, killing, or selling of migratory birds and laid the groundwork for more structured wildlife care, specifically for bird species. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, landmark conservation laws like the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Clean Water Act helped further establish a legal framework that encouraged wildlife preservation and, by extension, rehabilitation efforts.
The Lindsay Wildlife Experience, originally the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and Wildlife Hospital in Walnut Creek, California was the first wildlife hospital in the United States, opening in 1970.[8]
Baby Virginia Opossums being rehabilitated after their mom was attacked and killed by a dog
Professionalization of wildlife rehabilitation (late 20th century)
The field of wildlife rehabilitation began to professionalize in the 1980s and 1990s as more people became involved, and the need for standardized care practices became apparent. Organizations like the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC), founded in 1972,[9] and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA), founded in 1982,[10] were instrumental in developing training programs, certifications, and best practices. These organizations provided education, support, and networking for wildlife rehabilitators, helping to establish wildlife rehabilitation as a recognized profession. In 1984, these two organizations collaborated to publish the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation.[11]
As scientific understanding of wildlife behavior and veterinary medicine advanced, rehabilitators adopted more sophisticated techniques for treating injured animals. This era also saw the development of wildlife-specific veterinary practices and the establishment of wildlife rehabilitation as a key part of conservation programs.
Current trends and challenges
Today, wildlife rehabilitation is a global practice, with centers and trained rehabilitators operating in many countries. Rehabilitators work closely with veterinarians, government agencies, and conservationists to care for animals and address the impact of human activities on wildlife populations. Rehabilitation efforts have expanded to include not only individual animal care but also broader roles in conservation, public education, and wildlife research. A lot of rehabilitation facilities are non-profit organizations that rely on donations and grants to operate as the procedures needed for rehabilitating the individuals are often quite expensive to perform.[4][3][1]
Climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution continue to drive the need for wildlife rehabilitation. Rehabilitators often care for animals affected by oil spills, wildfires, and other environmental disasters. They also play a key role in managing wildlife diseases like West Nile virus, avian influenza, and the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats.
However, wildlife rehabilitators face ongoing challenges, including limited funding, lack of resources, and the ethical dilemmas of when to euthanize severely injured or diseased animals. Despite these challenges, the field remains an essential part of modern conservation efforts.
In the process of wildlife rehabilitation there are a lot of political and emotional considerations that are significant to humans as well as the medical and biological significance to the wildlife.[4]
Legal considerations
Wildlife rehabilitation is regulated by governmental agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of both animals and rehabilitators.[12] In many countries, including the United States and Australia, wildlife rehabilitation requires a license and/or permit(s). In the U.S., the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) oversees the rehabilitation of migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, while state and local agencies regulate the care of other species. Rehabilitators must obtain permits to handle and care for wild animals, and they must follow strict guidelines regarding their treatment and release. In these countries, it is against the law to rehabilitate (or in some cases possess) a wild animal without permits. If any endangered species is involved there are even more regulations and permits needed to handle them. There are also certain regulations at a local level that may limit or ban particular species or require specific housing for these species. If a center is open to tours from the public, they may be subject to more guidelines similar to the guidelines used to manage zoos and research facilities. Overall, the requirements vary from state to state. [2][4]
The only birds rehabilitators can admit without a federal permit are common birds considered to be introducedinvasive species such as rock doves, European starlings, and house sparrows; although many licensed rehabilitation facilities cannot accept introduced species as a condition of their licensing. Not only is it illegal for many licensed wildlife rehabilitators to release non-native wildlife, most introduced species are harmful to native species and ecosystems [13][14]
Safety is another big consideration when it comes to the regulation of rehabilitation centers where there are often uninformed or misinformed volunteers working with possibly dangerous wild animals. The animals can cause serious trauma and injury if not handled properly or may carry disease or parasites that can infect the humans working with them. There is even a risk with the capture of animals as their stress when injured can lead to them lashing out and injuring those attempting to capture them. [4]
Services provided by wildlife rehabilitators
Lessens biologist's workload.
Ensure humane and professional care of injured animals.
Provides great help to professional wildlife handlers to help WDFW with wildlife cope-up with emergencies.
Provides data and staff-power for areas of wildlife research and retrospective studies.
Specialized in threat and endangered species recovery.
Assists in monitoring disease and domestic animal protection and public health.
Provides self-regulation and self-enforcement within the wildlife rehabilitator community.
Provides valuable public education and clear understanding regarding securement of wildlife community and its necessary motives.
Gallery
Rabbit being held in outdoor enclosure before being adopted out to public.
Laughing Gull being treated for wing injury and malnutrition
A Female Muscovy duck, her ducklings and a black vulture picking up scrap food and seed left in the yard by other birds on property.
Adult Male Muscovy Duck sitting in his cage after being treated for a bumble on the foot.
Eastern Box Turtle trying to escape its enclosure while in rehabilitation process.
Young Least Tern waiting to be weighed and hand-fed by rehabbers.
Blind juvenile Eastern Bluebird on top of enclosure waiting to be fed and treated with eye drops.
Juvenile Mourning Dove sitting on the table of rehabilitation facility after being tube fed for the evening.
Yellow-bellied slider eating a fish in its temporary enclosure before being released.
Baby Eastern Gray Squirrel being held by rehabber before being fed.
American toad recovering from a weed Wacker strike that cut off its back leg.
Eastern Box Turtle in recovery after a vehicle strike.
Family of Muscovy ducklings being held in an enclosure to recover after being admitted for abandonment in someone's garage.
Juvenile Virginia Opossum working on the use of its prehensile tail while being tube fed for the evening.
Adult Muscovy Duck being treated for a bumble on his foot with a salt water bath.
Tern being force fed a fish after being admitted for malnutrition and abandonment.
Least Bittern being weighed after being treated for a fractured leg.
Eastern Cottontail in a holding box before being released.
'Puck' the groundhog ambassador in his enclosure while being fed for the day.
Baby Grey Squirrel in rehabilitation facility waiting to be syringe fed.
Virginia Opossums in an outdoor hutch getting ready to be released.
Baby Least tern being held by a rehabber after being admitted.
Chimney swifts waiting to be fed by handler.
Eastern Cottontail being fed by syringe, eyes are covered to reduce stress.
Baby White-tailed Deer being checked for injuries before being transported to another facility.
Virginia Opossum in an outdoor hutch for rehabilitation.
Field Mouse being released after being caught on the property of rehab facility.
Baby Virginia Opossums sleeping in their enclosure before being fed during their rehabilitation process.
Great Horned Owl being wrapped up to be weighed after admitted.
Canada Goose being checked for severity of injury after being struck by a car.
Chicken eating food in its outdoor enclosure.
Peachick in the yard of a rehabilitation facility being raised by mom and monitored by rehabbers.
Great Horned Owl ambassador hiding in his enclosure while food is being laid out for better enrichment.
Rabbit being held in a rehab room after being admitted for suspected rat poison consumption.
Juvenile Great Crested Flycatchers calling to be fed by rehabber.
Young Box Turtle in designated container after being admitted and treated for a wound caused by a chainsaw.
Baby Grey Squirrel laying on table at rehabilitation facility waiting to be syringe-fed along with siblings.
Northern Mockingbird waiting to be fed during interval feeding time while in recovery from a broken leg with other orphaned mockingbirds.
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