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.