Wildlife Rehabilitation Notes

Wildlife Rehabilitation


What Causes Human/Wildlife Conflict?
 Lack of understanding/appreciation of wildlife
 Fear of wild animals
 Unintentionally inviting habitats
 Human intrusion into wildlife habitat
o Development; subdivisions, plazas etc.

Common Complaints about Wildlife
 Raccoons/squirrels in attics
 Animals in garbage
 Skunks under sheds/porches
 Birds in chimneys
 Rabbits/deer eating plants
 Presence of large predators (bears, coyotes)

Strategies for Conflict Resolution
 Determine the problem- Is it actually a problem?
 Identify the damage and the animal responsible
 Assess the situation- are they open to action or are they closed off?
 What action is appropriate- Is an investigations officer needed?
 Evaluate the outcome- Call for follow-up (in an ideal world)

Approaches to Dealing with Conflict
 Tolerance
 Preventing access
o Physical exclusion
o Negative conditioning or repelling animals with scare devices
o Deterrents using bad-tasting or bad-smelling chemical repellents
o Remove the source of attraction

Points of Access for Wildlife
 Chimneys that are uncapped
 Gutters and eavestroughs- soffit comes loose
 Vents
 Nearby trees or tall structures

Wildlife Attractants
 Outdoor storage areas
 Bird feeders
 Human garbage
 Woodpiles
 Water butts

Evidence of Wildlife Presence
 Damage to insulation
 Damage to roof tiles
 Visibly disturbed or stained holes in buildings or porches

, Wildlife Rehabilitation


 Chewed wires
 Disturbed garbage

Why Not Live Trapping?
 It is only a short-term solution
 During the Spring and Summer, mothers are separated from their young
 Relocation may not be the objective
 Animals may injure themselves in the live-trap or suffer from exposure
 Pets may harass animals while in a live-trap
 Wildlife often do not survive when relocated
 Transfer of disease
 It is illegal to live-trap and relocate wildlife in Ontario
 May be appropriate when:
o Animal is injured or sick
o Animal is trapped within the home

Wildlife Rehabilitation
 Must be authorized to perform wildlife rehabilitation
 Authorization is received through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
 Rehab activities are regulated under the Ontario Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act
 Education/training can be obtained through the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education
Network (OWREN)

Identifying Wildlife in Need of Help
 Thoroughly assess the circumstances related to wildlife
o Injured
o Sick
o Orphaned
 If the animal does not require assistance, sometimes you have to explain why
 What about “nuisance” wildlife?

Orphaned Wildlife
 The absence of a mother/parent is not sufficient reason to believe an animal is orphaned
 Staying with their mother is always the preferred option- humans are a poor substitute
 Considerations:
o Body Condition
o Hydration
o Energy Level
o Body Temperature
o Parasites
o When it was removed/length of separation
o Rescuer should never offer food or water

Identifying Orphaned Wildlife
 General:
o Always observe from a distance
o Consider the biology of the species