New adventures

Posted on by R.F. in New steps

A more recent story in my life. I attended an externship in a raptor wildlife centre in the U.S. during the summer. I was able to observe and learn from experienced avian veterinarians. At this centre they treat up to 1000 birds of prey and owls per year. I was able to learn about certain treatment protocols and to learn about new methods in wildlife rehabilitation.

One idea intrigued me. They are trying to establish a program that helps wildlife centres connect with each other and with vets. Trained wildlife vets visit the centres and help them to form protocols, perfect their rehabilitation process and get connected with a vet in the area. The goal is to establish a similar standard in all wildlife rehab centres. The veterinary support is a big part in wildlife rehabilitation, as certain procedures cannot be done by rehabbers alone.

Another big point I learned is that wildlife centres present the opportunity for research; no field research required. You can collect data about the incoming animals without investing additionally in off-site research. There is the opportunity even to learn about the human impact on raptors as you categorize the incoming injuries. The centre there collects data about injuries which the birds obtained with vehicles, stationary objects or illegal activities like trapping or shooting individuals. I was able to be part of an interesting research project to investigate the illegal shooting of raptors.

I will tell you about this in a different article.

But more about the centre itself.

People working there are amazing. They dedicate their time to rescue and release and share their knowledge about it. It is not just the vets and technicians, who work long hours and work miracles on the birds. They have trained rehabbers who apply the appropriate rehabilitation process and release of the birds. Their knowledge about behaviour and training seems unlimited. But it doesn’t stop there. People in administration work endlessly to answer questions from other centres and communicate with them so that a similar treatment protocol establishes in all wildlife centres. Students are welcome to volunteer in the centre to see and learn the amazing work done there. Additionally, they have an education centre where they show the public what they do in the centre and what important role raptors have in our ecosystem.

As you may know by now, this is my goal to be part of a centre like that, to maybe build it myself in a place where it is needed.

Why I don’t earn any money…yet(?)

Posted on by R.F. in Life in general

Well as I have decided to dedicate my life, my work life, to the veterinary care of wildlife I don’t have the same income as any ordinary vet. Why not? Usually, pet owners pay the bills of the vets who treat their pets. As my patients don’t have any owners, well there is nobody to pay the bills. You could say that the rescue centres could pay for my work, but firstly those are mostly NGOs with little to no money for their own people and secondly why would they be responsible to pay for wildlife as it doesn’t belong to them any more than to any other person out there. Maybe the government should then support those who take care of wildlife… well ya, that would be great but sadly it isn’t often the case.

 We can now think about ethical responsibility, as a good number of the causes of mortality are caused by human interference. A lot of species get hunted, trapped, poisoned or simply die because of human obstacles, like glass buildings, cars, trash…

We shape the earth in a way that suits us. We change landscapes, as we cut down forests, dig through mountains, put rivers out of their riverbeds. We invent materials to ease our lives, we drive in cars, and we fly in planes. We breed farm animals in such a way that we can feed millions and we plant plants in monocultures but feed only the privileged. In doing all that species suffer, get sick, die. So, shouldn’t we take some responsibility if what we are doing is the cause of such suffering? Well, every single person must decide this for him/herself. For my part, I decided to do the best I can. Therefore, I have dedicated my work life to this cause. Wouldn’t I like to earn money and support my family? I am hoping one day I can. One day I hope we will have the support of the community so that people in these jobs can be paid. With the care and rehabilitation of wildlife, we can give a few individuals the chance to go back into the wild and to thrive again. In the case of endangered species, these few individuals may make the difference between extinction or survival.