Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release
Gail Buhl
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This podcast is dedicated to licensed wildlife rehabilitators and the veterinarians who support them.Each episode tackles topics about the rescue, care, management, reconditioning and release of wildlife found in North America - diving deep into each topic. Our aim is to give rehabilitators practical information they can use, because they’re already going to great lengths to rescue and nurse animals back to health.An injured or orphaned wild animal’s journey to restored health and independence in their natural habitat is delicate and complex: We draw techniques and expertise from many disciplines. We'll get into the three possible outcomes for wildlife in rehabilitation: Release, Euthanasia and Placement.
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Sep 1, 2023
S2E16 More On Wildlife Dentistry With Dr. Leslie Reed
In Part-2 of our discussion with Dr. Leslie Reed, a Minnesota-based veterinarian who specializes in wildlife dentistry, we get into more specifics about what good dental care looks like for different species of wild animals and why it's so important to treat pain adequately. Gail and Leslie get into how wildlife rehabilitators can be more effective caregivers through learning dentistry basics and also collaborating with their veterinarian on standard operating procedures for animals that need care right away, which is often the case.
If you are looking for resources on wildlife dentistry there is not a lot out there. But....Dr. Leslie recommended the book Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 4th Edition by Katherine Quesenberry DVM, MPH et al.
This is the final episode of Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release, Season 2. We're so glad you stuck with us for a second season, and we're excited to start sharing Season 3 episodes when they're ready. Please let me know if you have topics you would like to hear.
Do you know someone involved in wildlife rehabilitation and/or medicine who would be interested in this podcast? Please pass it along!
Feel free to email Gail Buhl directly at gailbuhl@umn.edu or email our podcast producer Kirk Klocke, Outreach Project Specialist, klock082@umn.edu. Season 3, will start early this coming winter season!
*Show notes:
Dr. Leslie Reed:* lreeddvm@gmail.com
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Aug 17, 2023
S2E15 Wildlife Dentistry With Dr. Leslie Reed
Our host Gail Buhl invited Dr. Leslie Reed on the show to talk about her unusual niche within the wildlife rehabilitation sector -- wildlife dentistry! Animals that have teeth suffer from many of the same problems humans do, such as cavities, chips, decay, and foreign bodies lodged in the gum line. These and many other dental issues can severely affect an animal's quality of life in care and after release, so Leslie draws on her years of experience to help her patients with the best dental outcomes possible.
This is the first in a 2-part discussion about wildlife dentistry, so be sure to check back at the end of this month for part 2! In this episode, Leslie reveals a bit about her origin story, including her path to becoming a specialist in wildlife dentistry. We learn about what "dentition" means and how it is critical to an animal's healthy functioning in the wild. A big challenge in in wildlife dentistry is VERY small teeth. Leslie describes what it was like to perform a root canal on a bat. It's a memorable story, so be sure to listen all the way through!
Dr. Leslie Reed is our final guest on Season 2. We take a break from posting new episodes in the fall and shift to finding and interviewing more interesting people in the wildlife rehabilitation community. Do you know someone who would make a good guest on the show? Is there a topic you really want to learn about? If so, we want to hear from you. Feel free to email your ideas directly to Gail: gailbuhl@umn.edu
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Aug 3, 2023
S2E14: More On Social Media For Wildlife Rehabilitation
In Part 2, host Gail Buhl talks more about social media for wildlife rehabilitation settings in Part 2 of an in-depth discussion with Amanda Nicholson, senior vice president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Amanda is one of Gail's go-to gurus for all things social media. This part of their discussion gets into best practices, including avoiding posting content that could jeopardize a wildlife rehabilitator's permit status. It also touches on engaging audiences through livestreaming on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and later gets into whether or not it's a good idea to use social media platforms for fundraising.
*Show Notes:
Publications by Amanda Nicholson
**https://nwrajournal.online/index.php/bulletin/article/view/128** *
*Nicholson, A. (2021). Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Wildlife Rehabilitation. **Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin**, **36**(1), 2–4. **https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v36.128**
Resource site for social media marketing best practices:
**https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/**
Conference organized by the Wildlife Center of Virginia:
*Call of the Wild Conference | The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jul 21, 2023
S2E13 Amanda Nicholson on Social Media for Wildlife Rehabilitators
Host Gail Buhl caught up with Amanda Nicholson, senior vice president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Amanda has long been their communications and social media guru, and was eager to share some of the things she's learned, having managed the Wildlife Center of Virginia's social media presence since the earlier days of Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Gail and Amanda talk about how and why having a robust, actively managed social media presence can benefit a wildlife organization - both reputationally and financially. They dive into some of the challenges that can arise when using social media to engage with the general public, including the phenomenon of "trolling" and how to address misunderstandings that arise out of wildlife rehabilitators' practice of humane euthanasia.
This episode is part 1 of 2 of Host Gail Buhl's talk with Amanda Nicholson, so be sure to tune in August 4th, 2023 for more about social media best practices, and an exploration of how best to implement livestreaming.
*Show Notes:
Nicholson, A. (2021). Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Wildlife Rehabilitation. **Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin**, **36**(1), 2–4. **https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v36.128**
Social Media Examiner, a tool for marketers to keep on the latest social media management best practices and trends:
**https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/**
*Call of the Wild Conference | The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jul 7, 2023
S2E12 Considering Animal Welfare With Guest Dr. Michelle Willette
Host Gail Buhl caught up with Dr. Michelle Willette of Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Willette shares her expertise on the ever-evolving and sometimes controversial topic of animal welfare. Welfare isn't something we give to an animal, she says, rather it's a state of being that exists with the right inputs and conditions for that animal. Dr. Willette is pursuing a board certification in Animal Welfare, a relatively new sub-specialty within veterinary medicine in the U.S.
Since animals cannot speak their preferences and feelings in quite the way we can, veterinarians must look for clues that signal their wellbeing. Evaluating animal welfare takes place through the lenses of different ethical frameworks. Listen for buzz phrases such as "The Five Freedoms" and "The Five Domains" of animal welfare. The evolution of animal welfare as a discipline has unfolded over generations and encompasses a vast body of knowledge, so this episode is just a taste of how we decide what a good quality of life is for an animal. Stay tuned for future episodes, as Gail and Dr. Willette plan to revisit this topic in even greater depth.
Show Notes:
Michelle Willette, MPH, DACVPM, is a senior veterinarian at The Raptor Center and an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. She joined the University of Minnesota in 2007 with an extensive background in zoological and wildlife medicine with an emphasis in animal welfare, disaster preparedness and response, and public health.
*By 'helping' wild animals, you could end their freedom or even their lives – here's why you should keep your distance (theconversation.com)**
**Five Freedoms info via ASPCA**
**Five Domains info via NIH**
**3 Spheres**
**Practical Ethics** via **Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics*
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jun 22, 2023
S2E11 Rachel Avilla Discusses 'WRMD' Database
Host Gail Buhl connected with Rachel Avilla, co-founder and project manager of the database Wildlife Rehabilitation MD, or "WRMD." Rachel gives us a synopsis of her origin story, starting with her first career step out of college, which was a summer internship at The Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa. That led to an internship at Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital. There she met Devin, her husband and partner in creating WRMD. Rachel and Devin continued working in the wildlife rehabilitation sector during WRMD's early years, but eventually the database grew to the point at which Rachel had to take managing it on full-time. She continued to volunteer in the wildlife sector as WRMD grew. Today the database is regarded as one of the top platforms for quick data entry and data mining for wildlife rehabilitators.
*Show Notes:
*About Wildlife Rehabilitation MD (wrmd.org)
A note from Devin via WRMD
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jun 7, 2023
S2E10 More About Harbor Seals & California Sea Lions!
Dr. Michelle Rivard and Casey Mclean, marine mammal expert guests from SR3 in Washington are back in conversation with Gail Buhl, sharing more about the release phase of caring from Harbor Seals. Later in the episode they get into some of the nuanced differences among pinnipeds, particularly the California Sea Lion. We learn what a what makes a seal a "true seal." This episode also dives more into the nitty gritty of daily operations of a marine mammal rehabilitation facility, which is no small feat. There is a LOT of federal paperwork when it comes to marine mammals, but SR3 knows just how to navigate all of it to safely and legally care for the animals in need of help along the Pacific Northwest Coast in the U.S.
*Check out the resources below for more on marine mammal rehabilitation, including who to call if you encounter a stranded, orphaned, or injured marine mammal. If you missed Part 1, Gail, Michelle, and Casey discussed their origin stories, the creation of SR3, and caring for Harbor Seals from intake to preparation for release. *
*
Notes:*
*SR3: **SR³ SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (sealifer3.org)**
The Marine Mammal Center: **Pinnipeds | The Marine Mammal Center*
*Full listing of contacts, visit: **National Marine Mammal stranding response hotlines *
*Northern and Northeast U.S.: 866-755-6622*
*Southern and Southeast U.S., including Puerto Rico: 877-942-5343*
*West Coast: 866-767-6114*
*Alaska: 877-925-7773*
*Hawaii: 888-256-9840*
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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May 25, 2023
S2E9: Harbor Seals With SR3's Casey Mclean & Dr. Michelle Rivard
*Host Gail Buhl connected with marine mammal veterinarian Dr. Michelle Rivard, and Casey Mclean, of SR3, the Washington state based organization named for its missions: sealife response, rehabilitation, and research. Casey and Dr. Michelle tell Gail about SR3’s origin, how they came to be involved, and all about the work they’re doing with harbor seals. This is a two-part series. In Part-1, we cover some common reasons harbor seals land in rehabilitation, what their rehabilitation process looks like, and how SR3 staff prepare them for release.
Check out the resources below for more on marine mammal rehabilitation, including who to call if you encounter a stranded, orphaned, or injured marine mammal. In Part 2, Gail, Michelle, and Casey discuss more about the release process, then dive into some similarities and differences of another common West Coast marine mammal, the California Sea Lion. *
*
Notes:*
*SR3: **SR³ SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (sealifer3.org)*
*Full listing of contacts, visit: **National Marine Mammal stranding response hotlines *
*Northern and Northeast U.S.: 866-755-6622*
*Southern and Southeast U.S., including Puerto Rico: 877-942-5343*
*West Coast: 866-767-6114*
*Alaska: 877-925-7773*
*Hawaii: 888-256-9840*
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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May 9, 2023
S2E8 Dr. Dave Scott Discusses RaptorMed
*Dr. Dave Scott began his career as an electrical engineer, working for 10 years at the Department of Defense, then decided to attend veterinary school. He practiced small animal vet med and emergency care for several years, but eventually followed his heart into wildlife medicine. He again went back to the Department of Defense, but continued to practice wildlife medicine on a volunteer basis.
A paid full-time staff vet job in wildlife medicine ( rare opportunity) opened up at the Carolina Raptor Center and he worked there for about 14 years, helping the center grow into an internationally recognized raptor facility.
Upon retiring from the Carolina Raptor Center, Dr. Scott decided to focus most of his attention on growing and refining RaptorMed, the database he had been building on the side for close to 15 years while at the Carolina Raptor Center. Early on, RaptorMed was mostly a tool Dr. Scott made for himself to make his job easier, but it quickly became apparent that the software could be helpful to a wide range of veterinary medicine facilities and rehabilitators. Dr. Scott is now on a mission to help other practitioners and facilities increase efficiency so they can help more animals and share data, generating valuable epidemiological insights.
Links:
**RaptorMed**
*
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Apr 27, 2023
S2E7: On Ethics in Wildlife Rehabilitation, With Lauren Glickman
*Host Gail Buhl caught up with Lauren Glickman, a former Volunteer Manager at PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) in Seattle and current organizational training and development consultant. *
*Lauren Glickman began her career in the Peace Corps, then found her way into wildlife rehabilitation in the Seattle area. There she volunteered at PAWS and quickly realized she had found a passion for animal care. After landing a full-time role as a volunteer coordinator, Lauren established monthly ethics lectures for new volunteers, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become her niche as a consultant. Also while working at PAWS, Lauren earned a Masters of Applied Behavioral Science. “I wanted to support people who were working for missions I cared about,” she said in our interview. *
*In this episode, Gail dives into the complex topic of ethics in wildlife rehabilitation, one of Lauren’s specialties. They open the discussion by coming up with a working definition of of ethics, then dig into some specific cases that can arise with both animals and people in the course of wildlife rehabilitation operations. Such issues range from professionalism around animals being rehabilitated (no “nuzzling” of the squirrels, please) to informed consent during the recruiting and hiring process about wildlife rehabilitation job requirements and expectations.
Resources:
NWRA/**IWRC Code of Ethics**
Book: Trauma Stewardship: **An Everyday Guide to Caring For Self While Caring For Others** (Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk 2009)
**Ideals and Realities: Presenting Wildlife Ethics to Volunteers and the Public**. Lauren Glickman presented at the 2002 National Wildlife Rehabilitation Symposium, DeMoines, IA. Also published in NWRA Wildlife Rehabilitation Proceedings Vol 20. Linked here with permission of the Author.
How Resilience Works by Diane Coutu **How Resilience Works (hbr.org)**
**Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation**, Third Edition (2000), Erica A. Miller, DVM
*
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Apr 13, 2023
S2E6 Karra Pierce: Let's Talk Databases - WILD-ONe!
Host Gail Buhl breaks from the podcast's usual taxa-specific format to discuss a topic of growing importance and interest in the wildlife rehabilitation world: databases. Such databases are the wildlife medicine equivalent of electronic medical records now used in most (human) healthcare systems and hospitals. In this episode Karra Pierce, a veterinary director at The Wildlife Center of Virginia, discusses the WILD-ONe database, which was launched there and is widely regarded as a top choice among wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians for tracking the medical and day-to-day care of animals.
This is the first of four wildlife databases we'll cover this season. These database-specific episodes will appear in the lineup as their creators and managers are available to speak with us.
Visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia online: WILD-ONe | The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Visit WILD-ONe online: WILD-ONe
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University o…
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Mar 9, 2023
S2E5 Let's Talk Brown Pelicans With Dr. Rebecca Duerr and Jennifer Martines!
In Episode 5, Host Gail Buhl caught up with Rebecca Duerr, MPVM/DVM, one of the world's leading experts on water birds. Dr. Duerr serves as Director of Research and Veterinary Science as well as the primary veterinarian at International Bird Rescue's two wildlife centers in California. Jennifer Martines, one of IBR's talented veterinary and rehabilitation technicians, also joined the interview, which we recorded onsite at the 2023 NWRA Symposium in Wilmington, Delaware.
Dr. Duerr and Jennifer first give us a brief overview of their origin stories. After we learn a bit about the winding career paths that led each of them to where they are today, we have an in-depth conversation at Brown Pelicans, which are a majestic migratory water bird that divide its time between the Southeastern U.S. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Central California, and the Pacific Northwest coast, depending on the season. Find out more about Brown Pelicans through All About Birds produced by the Cornell Lab of Orni…
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Feb 23, 2023
S2E4 Host Gail and Producer Kirk on Public Outreach
Host Gail Buhl invites Partners For Wildlife podcast producer Kirk Klocke to step out of the booth and onto the mic to discuss public outreach, which is a big part of his role as the new P4W Outreach Specialist. Gail and Kirk quickly realize in the course of their back and forth about issues around public outreach communications & education that this discussion can spin off into deep dives across multiple areas, ranging from social media best practices, to how best to help staff and volunteers interact with the public, to a big elephant in the room that is explaining who we are, what we do, and what we don't do as rehabilitators.
Gail's book recommendation as a tool to help explain some of the more sensitive aspects of wildlife rehabilitation, including answering that question: why bother rehabilitating prey species like rabbits and deer?
Pass The Energy, Please! / Barbara Shaw McKinney (2000)
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesot…
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Feb 8, 2023
S2E3 Brittany Turner: Overview of Songbird Rehabilitation
Host Gail Buhl is back for a Part-2 with Brittany Turner, Rehabilitation Director at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, or "WRC." The conversation began in Episode 2 with a a look at Brittany's background and career at WRC. In this episode, we get into the nuts and bolts of songbird care, from intake through feeding, housing, and preparation for release. We also touch on a metabolic bone disease that is increasingly being seen in North America.
There is SO much to cover about songbird care, we couldn't get into all of it in this interview. Brittany and Gail plan to record more, so keep an eye -- or ear -- out for more on songbirds later this season.
For more on the WRC, visit: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (wrcmn.org)
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, vis…
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Jan 26, 2023
S2E2 Brittany Turner: WRC Overview & Intro To Songbirds
I'm so glad you came back to listen to episode 2 of our second season, which began to drop in January, 2023. I spoke with Brittany Turner, who serves as Rehabilitation Director at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. Brittany has led a fascinating and ambitious career, having started as nursery intern to a Director in just under 10 years! She has experience with all the 200+ species the WRC sees. Over the years Brittany has always had a special place in her heart for songbirds, which, by the way -- WRC treats over 1,000 songbirds representing about 50 species per year!
This episode is part 1 of 2, so please check back again on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 for Part 2. Part 1 begins with an introduction to Brittany and her career in wildlife rehabilitation (listen also for a couple special furry guests around minute marker 8:00!), then dives into an overview of the WRC. If you want to skip straight to our discussion about songbirds, that begins around 23:00. Later, around 36…
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Jan 12, 2023
S2E1 Joys of Infection Control
This episode kicks off Season 2 of Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release! I am so excited about this episode. I think you will enjoy listening to it as much as Leslie Kollmann and I had recording it. I know you probably would not normally put “joy” and “infection control” in the same room, let alone the same sentence but when you find out how you can take simple steps to protect yourself and the animals you care for, you may actually stand up and cheer.
Leslie Kollmann is a Certified Veterinary Technician from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Zoonotic Disease Unit. Prior to working at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Leslie was Infection Control and Safety Technician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. She has experience in all areas of veterinary related Infection Control and Occupational Health. Her wide-ranging experiences include working on a Veterinary Occupational Health and Infection Control Assessment Pilot Program as well…
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Jul 22, 2022
S1E20 Wildfoods4Wildlife With Kate Guenther
Calling all plant people, foragers and rehabilitators! Ready to forage for a cause? Naturalist Kate Guenther is working to bridge the gap between the foraging community and rehabilitators through her ongoing project Wildfoods4Wildlife. As a website and database designed to share knowledge of wild foods and animals’ diets, Wildfoods4Wildlife is a wonderful resource for rehabilitators, and volunteers interested in the connection between flora and fauna in wildlife rehabilitation.
In this episode, Guenther discusses how foraging for rehabilitation can be used to help feed orphaned, injured or sick animals. We discuss the benefits and limitations behind the use of wild foods during rehabilitation. Rehabilitation volunteers and volunteer foragers can use this website to learn how they can assist their local rehabilitation centers. This resource is a great way to learn a new skill and gain insight on where to find and utilize foraging communities and other volunteer groups.
Check out Wi…
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Jul 7, 2022
S1E19 Tim Jasinski: Timberdoodle AKA 'Bog Stompers'
Host Gail Buhl is joined by Tim Jasinski, Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist at Lake Erie Nature and Wildlife Center in Bay Village, Ohio. We talk about an underappreciated bird the Timberdoodle. What is a Timberdoodle you ask? Some know it as the "Bog Stomper." Bog Stomper is my new favorite name for the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor*)*. Lake Erie Nature and Wildlife Center receives 200+ woodcock every year for rehabilitation.
Tim and I talk about the natural history of the Woodcock and why that makes this species particularly difficult to rehabilitate. And on the flip side why the natural history of this bird is critical for successful rehabilitation efforts of adults and young orphans.
Tim and I got connected when a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Duluth, Minnesota, called Wildwoods, received some young Woodcock and we were looking for the best way to care for them. Valerie, Wildlife Rehabilitator at Wildwoods, Tim and I decided that after the busy season we would write do…
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Jun 22, 2022
S1E18 Stephanie McMahon And Renee Schott: Compassion Fatigue Part 2
In this episode, Stephanie McMahon, Board Chair of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario Canada and licensed therapist, and Dr. Renee Schott, Medical Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota rejoin host Gail to elaborate on last episode’s conversation on compassion fatigue. They further explore the intersection of self-care and rehabilitation. Listen to learn about the different elements of self-care and what rehabilitators can do avoid burn out and compassion fatigue.
Also, get an inside look into Stephanie and Renee's journey to promote healthy well-being and their mission to inform, educate and spread awareness about compassion fatigue. We discuss action steps and resources to help navigate the world of self compassion and self-care in order to change the conversation surrounding mental health within wildlife rehabilitation.
Check out Stephanie and Renee's Facebook page: Wellness for Wildlife Warriors and their podcast: Wellness for Wildlife Warriors!
S…
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Jun 8, 2022
S1E17 Stephanie McMahon And Renee Schott: Compassion Fatigue Part 1
Stephanie McMahon is the Board Chair of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario Canada and a licensed therapist, and Dr. Renee Schott is the Medical Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. These expert guests take the stage in the next two episodes to bring attention and awareness to a condition many rehabilitators suffer from but may not know they have.
Compassion fatigue: What is it, what are the identifying symptoms, and, more importantly, how does someone prevent or overcome it? Host Gail's conversation with Stephanie and Renee shed light on this very real and commonly shared issue by helping rehabilitators define and understand the various states of compassion fatigue, its signs, and its effects on their performance, effectiveness and well-being.
We discuss preventive measures, intervention tips and resources for support. These experts touch on topics relating to self-care and self-compassion in their efforts to breaking down the lingering social stigma b…
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May 25, 2022
S1E16 Laura Davich Jette: Housing And Release Criteria For Young Eastern Cottontail Rabbits
This is the last in our series of episodes on Eastern Cottontail rabbits. Laura and I had a great conversation talking about housing of cottontails at all ages. They are a little easier to house than many of the other animals rehabilitators care for. We also talk in depth about release criteria and all the details to think about to make their transition to the wild as successful as possible.
This is a long one, so you may have to pause and come back to it --maybe while you are feeding baby buns! Check out the videos, if you haven't already, on stimulating young rabbits to urinate, doing an intake exam, and syringe feeding on the Wildlife Rehabilitation From Rescue to Release website.
Let me know your thoughts on this series! gailbuhl@umn.edu
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit…
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May 7, 2022
S1E15 Weaning Young Eastern Cottontail Rabbits with Laura Davich Jette
So you are able to get your young eastern cottontail rabbit eating formula--or maybe you are tube feeding the youngsters. They are growing and developing so quickly! It is time to start weaning the young rabbits. Here in lies the danger however--switching to solid food too quickly can be devastating to the developing gut of the rabbit.
Laura Davich Jette and I sit down and have a detailed conversation about weaning young cottontail rabbits. I learned SO much about setting the rabbit and you up for success during the weaning process.
We have several resources for you at our webpage. There are videos and a wonderful set of handouts for raising cottontail rabbits. You can find those here.
We also discuss another resource called Wildfoods 4 Wildlife. Look for my conversation with the Founder of Wildfoods 4 Wildlife in a future episode. For now, I hope you enjoy this episode of Wildlife Rehabilitation From Rescue to Release.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center…
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Apr 20, 2022
S1E14 Laura Davich Jette: Eastern Cottontail Rabbits, From Intake Exam To Stimulation
Eastern cottontail rabbits are a high stress prey species. They are one of the hardest wild animals to rehabilitate. This episode I speak with Laura Davich-Jette a Minnesota based wildlife rehabilitator that specializes in cottontail rabbits.
Since stress is a real experience for all young cottontail rabbits, everything rehabilitators can do to reduce stress needs to be considered. The episode explores intake exams and how to reduce the rabbit's stress. Laura shares some pro-tips about how to do a thorough exam in under two minutes.
Gail and Laura go over how to assess hydration and how to alleviate dehydration. They talk formulas and probiotics and the pros and cons of the different choices.
The best is saved for last--a talk about urination and defecation! Laura has a technique for encouraging young rabbits to urinate and defecate that you have to hear to believe!
For the last episode in this series, Laura and Gail finish with a talk about raising cottontail rabbits, from weaning…
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Apr 11, 2022
S1 Bonus Episode: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza with Dr. Victoria Hall
North America is currently experiencing an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in both wild and domestic birds.
To discuss this devastating disease and the implications for wildlife rehabilitation, I am joined by Dr. Victoria Hall, Executive Director at TheRaptorCenter at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Hall is the Patrick T. Redig Endowed Chair in Raptor and Ecosystem Health. She holds a Master of Science in Preventative Medicine and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State and is board certified in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. Hall has spent her career working at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health - an intersection known as “One Health.”
Dr. Hall formerly served as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, responding to infectious disease outbreaks in human health, including: multidrug resistant tuberculosis, measles virus, and Zika virus. With experience at or…
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Apr 6, 2022
S1E13 Laura Davich Jette: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 (RHDV-2)
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2 is a disease that affects both domestic rabbits and wild rabbits and hares. It is a fatal disease that is also extremely contagious. If that wasn't bad enough, this disease is very hardy in many environments and is easily moved from one place to another via fomites -- clothes, shoes, cages, cage furniture etc.
Laura Davich Jette is an Eastern cottontail rabbit wildlife rehabilitator in Minnesota. In her day job she is an Emergency Room nurse. This makes her very suited to working on all the biosecurity protocols one would need to be able to rehabilitate wild rabbits and hares.
In this episode we talk about what RHDV-2 is, where it came from, how it spreads and how we as rehabilitators can protect the rabbits in our care from this fatal disease.
Here are some additional Resources about RHDV-2 to help you plan your biosecurity:
APHIS-USDA: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf
AVMA: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/a…
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Mar 27, 2022
S1E12 Lori Arent: Creance Technique in Practice
In our last two episodes on creance flying raptors I talked in depth with Lori Arent, Assistant Director of The Raptor Center (TRC) about her journey to TRC and what eventually led to a study regarding reconditioning raptors using the creance technique. Tune into this final episode *Creance Technique in Practice* as we focus on what creance flying looks like--the ins and outs of this useful tool to ready raptors for release.
Lori goes into the details of a raptor exercise program including the nitty gritty of what species specific gear is needed, where and when you fly and what staff/volunteers you may need to make it successful. From the field you exercise the raptors on, down to the leathers you use on their legs- no detail goes unnoticed. We talk about stress levels in raptors and how to reduce stress before, during and after the flight session. TRC uses a raptor centric/patient centric approach to all aspects of raptor rehabilitation and it shows.
We also discuss why she feels it…
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Mar 9, 2022
S1E11 Lori Arent: The Art And Science Of The Creance Technique
Host Gail is joined again by Lori Arent, Assistant Director of The Raptor Center (TRC) at the University of Minnesota, for a captivating* *conversation about how the science of the creance technique for reconditioning raptors was developed.
So much of what is done in wildlife rehabilitation is educated guesses. This episode explores how educated guesses and trial and error led to the study of reconditioning. It is an art that pulls from the biomechanics of flight, sports physiology, and horse racing!
If you want to learn more about creance flying for rehabilitation, please check out the eBook: Reconditioning Raptors: A Training Manual for the Creance Technique by Lori Arent.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wi…
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Feb 23, 2022
S1E10 Lori Arent: Introduction To The Creance Technique
This series of episodes will focus on creance flying as a reconditioning technique for raptors as the last step before release back into the wild.
Host Gail is joined by Lori Arent, Assistant Director of The Raptor Center (TRC) at the University of Minnesota for an interesting set of conversations about creance flying. They discuss Lori's journey from interest in animals to a passion for raptors. She became a falconer early in her career at TRC to learn as much as possible about raptor flight and how that, coupled with her science background, led to the scientific studies on reconditioning raptors.
If you are interested more on creance flying for rehabilitation, please check out the eBook: Reconditioning Raptors: A Training Manual for the Creance Technique by Lori Arent.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more…
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Feb 9, 2022
S1E9 Debbie Sykes: White Tail Deer Fawn Raising To Release
This is part-4 of a conversation with Debbie Sykes about white tail deer fawn. We spend more time on nutrition and the types of plants the young fawns should be exposed to as they are growing to get them ready for release.
The episode continues with housing, covering both indoor and outdoor housing, and what are the most important factors for each from the fawn's point of view. We also touch on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is affecting deer in many places around the country. We also have a good discussion about soil!
You will find all the episodes plus resources on white tail deer fawn and much more at the webpage for Wildlife Rehabilitation From Rescue to Release!
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wild…
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Jan 26, 2022
S1E8 Debbie Sykes: White Tail Deer Fawns Evaluation, Nutrition, And GI System
Debbie talks in detail on how to evaluate a white tail deer fawn when it comes into care. What are the factors for first housing a fawn? How does grouping of young fawn reduce stress? We also talk a lot about the GI system of deer and critical importance of nutrition. What are the components of nutrition, when should you introduce solid foods, and in what form should it take? If that is not enough, Gail and Debbie talk and have a laugh when and how often to stimulate a fawn.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jan 16, 2022
S1E7 Debbie Sykes: White Tail Deer Fawns And The Public
Listen as Debbie Sykes of Nashville Wildlife Conservation discusses white tail deer fawns and the first point of contact wildlife rehabilitators have with that fawn -- the public. Gail and Debbie discuss how to enlist the caller/finder as an advocate for the fawn, including when the fawn should be left alone. As rehabilitators, we want to educate the finders on what is the best for the fawn. Gail and Debbie also discuss strategies to make the right decision for the individual animal.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Jan 6, 2022
S1E6 Debbie Sykes: Introducing A Wildlife Rehabilitator From Nashville
Debbie Sykes tells us about how her college biology program led her to discover wildlife rehabilitation as a fulfilling career. In just a few years, Debbie's passion for the field carried her from rehabilitator newbie to expert specializing in North American White Tailed Deer.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Dec 22, 2021
S1E5 Peggy Popp: Weasel Weaning Through Release
Wildlife rehabilitator Peggy Popp, a Wisconsin-based expert in weasel care, discusses feeding techniques, weaning, and the care she provides leading up to releasing the animals back into the wild. This is the final episode of our three-part deep dive discussion with Peggy on the entire process of rehabilitating short-tailed weasels.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Dec 8, 2021
S1E4 Peggy Popp: Good Infancy Care For Better Release Outcomes
Wisconsin-based wildlife rehabilitator Peggy Popp, a longtime expert in weasels and other small mammals, discusses best practices on feeding and care for weasels leading up to their release back into the wild. Since weasels must eat close to every hour, feeding is a delicate and challenging task. But Peggy has it down to a science.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Nov 24, 2021
S1E3 Peggy Popp: A Go-To Expert In Caring For Weasels
Wisconsin-based wildlife rehabilitator discusses her career and how the wildlife rehabilitation community collaborates to continuously improve upon best practices, including data collection and sharing.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Nov 5, 2021
S1E1 Sara Cole: A Journey Into Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitator Sara Cole discusses how she became interested in wildlife rehabilitation. Her interest in wildlife rehabilitation began in early childhood, and in this episode we'll dive into the details of her motivation to help wildlife. Currently Sara has a busy day job in Duluth, MN, but that hasn't stopped her from taking on the challenge of rehabilitating wildlife - an endeavor that is in itself an entire second job.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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Nov 5, 2021
S1E2 Sara Cole: Establishing A Home Wildlife Rehabilitation Practice
Wildlife rehabilitator Sara Cole, of Duluth, MN discusses the process of becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and establishing a home wildlife rehabilitation practice.
Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.
To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).
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