Building a Sustainable Future for Wildlife and Our Community

Mission- build a sustainable future for wildlife in our community through medical treatment, rehabilitation, educational outreach, research, and conservation activities.

Medical treatment, rehabilitation processes, and daily care of injured/orphaned wild animals until they are able to be returned back into the wild. Wildlife Rehabilitators: have state and federal permits work closely with a licensed veterinarian have the proper housing and training to care for each species safely. There is no state or federal funding or program for the medical care of wild animals.

90-95% human caused injuries Cars, power lines and windows, domestic cats, power lines, oil spills, habitat loss, etc. Quality of Life Public Safety Difference between domestic and wildlife: Fear of humans

Species We Treat Birds Small Mammals Reptiles Serve ~ 100 mile radius of York, ME Visit NWRA website and find your state Find out who does marine animals Call your local rehabbers and find out: What species they take What is their capacity What is their range Tips

If you touch a baby bird or baby mammal you can’t put it back in the nest- the mom will reject it Any baby without a parent around needs help Loons cannot walk on land If you can catch an adult wild animal, it needs help Animals do not feel pain the way humans do Opossums are dirty and carry rabies Porcupines can throw their quills If a nocturnal animal is out during the day it most likely has rabies Most bats have rabies and should be removed from buildings and barns immediately

Handler safety Plan Ahead- Work Efficiently Proper positioning Fight or Flee Defense Diminish sense perceptions Use minimum restraint Equipment Rodents Opossums Porcupines Raccoons, foxes, weasels, bobcats, etc Coyotes Raptors Waterbirds Waterfowl Songbirds Turtles Bats Capture and RestraintSpecies Specific

Keep animals in closed containers: STRESS! Every contact takes energy from patient SHOCK can kill SAFETY for both animal and rescuer Monitor Temperature: Babies and trauma victims need heat (water bottle or snuggle safe) Any animal that has just been chased can easily overheat- watch for panting and open-mouth breathing DO NOT FEED UNTIL THE ANIMAL HAS BEEN MONITORED Food and water can kill if not stable The wrong diet can be deadly

It is legal for ACO’s and general public to transport wildlife to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for medical treatment (in accordance with IF&W and NH Fish and Game) Wildlife rehabilitators must have a federal permit to treat birds (excluding some game and introduced species) Wildlife rehabilitators must have a state permit to treat mammals and reptiles Individuals and organizations must have an education and exhibition permit to house wild animals permanently Because of WNS it is now illegal to remove bats from unoccupied buildings during May 15 th -August 15 th in NH Endangered and threatened species protected from killing, harassment, taking, or injuring species listed. Maximum penalty is up to $13,000 fine.

Center for Wildlife receives over 10,000 phone calls per year from the general public Many callers are frustrated as they have made several phone calls to local vets, police departments, animal shelters, etc and no one can help Most members of the public call to check on their patient and want to be involved with the release Since 1986 public has brought over 20,000 wild animals to Center for Wildlife Center for Wildlife hosts over 70 volunteers and 20+ college interns each year

1. What is your initial response? 2. What would you advise public? 3. If you had to capture/restrain/transport the animal, how would you do it? 4. Who would you bring it to? 5. Did you learn anything new?