A Study of the Success of Local Wildlife Rehabilitation

1. By: MarliMilano A Study of the Success of Local Wildlife Rehabilitation

2. Introduction • Rehabilitation is used after circumstances that have harmful effects to wildlife such as: • Oil spills • Human activities involving pollutants or land clearing • Rehabilitation enables animals injured due to human activities to survive • Lessens amount of endangered animals due to human causes

3. Introduction • Pollution released by humans causes birth defects in animals • abnormal pigmentation • missing or too many limbs and/or toes • missing eyes • body too small for internal organs • abnormal scales • spinal problems such as scoliosis • (Bell et al. 2006)

4. Introduction • Animals are rehabilitated for injuries such as: • shock and dehydration • head trauma • physical wounds • musculoskeletal conditions such as bone fractures • (Casey and Casey, 2004)

5. Introduction • Many think that rehabilitation is too costly • rehabilitation of oiled wildlife makes up only 1% of all cleanup costs • (Jessup and Mazet, 1999 [Averett, 1997])

6. Purpose & Methodology To find which rehabilitation strategies work best for which injuries by: • Surveying local rehabilitators through: • Email surveys • Face-to-face survey interview

7. Methodology • 97 email surveys were sent out • Email addresses were acquired from www.wrc.nys.com • 5 emails didn’t send due to incorrect email addresses • 1 face-to-face interview was conducted • 3 rehabbers were unable to open survey file • 4 said this season is too busy to fill out the survey • 1 said this is a “gravely flawed” paper

8. Survey • What types of injuries were seen? Which injuries are most common? • How do the injuries come about (i.e. oil spill, human activities, caused by other animals, motor vehicles)? What is the most common cause? • How often are animals found with these types of injuries? • How long were injured animals kept in captivity? • How does the injury affect the length of time an animal is kept in captivity? • What is the longest amount of time an animal can be in captivity? • What type of animal is most frequently seen for rehabilitation?

9. Survey (contd.) • Were follow-ups done after release of rehabilitated animals to find out if rehabilitation was successful or not? • If so, how often was rehabilitation successful? • What animals most often have successful results from rehabilitation? • What animals do not succeed after rehabilitation? • How often do you change your rehabilitation techniques to stay current with changing technologies?

10. Results • Animals are most commonly seen for collision wounds or after being abandoned • Most injuries are from human related causes i.e. vehicles, domestic pets • Animals are seen throughout the year • Mostly April-November • Animals are kept for up to life depending on injury and chance of survival • Rodents, turtles, and birds are most often seen for rehabilitation • Follow-ups are not typically done • Rehab is considered successful if animal is released • Sooner the animal is found after wounded, the more successful it will be • Rabbits, deer and birds often do not make it through rehab • Techniques are changed frequently to stay up-to-date with changing technology

11. Commonly Seen • Most common rehab reasons: • Broken bones • Open/puncture wounds • Malnutrition • Head traumas • Orphaned

12. Cause of Injury • Animals are often seen for injuries caused by: • Human activities: • Vehicle collisions • Improper adoption of orphaned animals • Domestic pet attacks

13. Timing • Animals are mostly found from April to November • Turtles: • April – October • Peak: May - June • Birds: • Spring • Rodents: • Spring & autumn

14. Time Period in Rehab • Animals can remain in rehab for up to their entire lifetime • If unable to be released they will be used for education • Time depends on injury • Animal will be kept as long as necessary for healing

15. Commonly Seen Animals • Rodents • Rabbits • Squirrels • Birds • Turtles • Deer

16. Release Success • Any released animal is considered a successful rehabilitation • Rabbits are most difficult to rehabilitate • Orphaned animals are easiest to release as long as don’t imprint on humans

17. Changing Techniques • Rehabbers change techniques constantly • Each animal requires different technology & different attention • Conferences are held to discuss new techniques

18. Future Research • More time should be given for rehabbers to answer emails • Lettered answer choices should be given to increase effectiveness of study • Choices make organizing answers easier • Face-to-face interviews are more productive; it is easier to understand and get straight, thorough answers

19. Acknowledgements Thank you to all the New York rehabilitators who answered this survey

20. References • Bell, Barbara; Spolita, James R. Congdon, Justin. High incidence of deformity in aquatic turtles in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Environmental pollution (142) [ online database]. 2006 [October 7, 2005; February, 2011]: 457-465. • Casey, Shirley J. Casey, Allan M. A survey of conditions seen in wildlife admittes for wildlife rehabilitation. [online database]. 2004 [2004; February 1, 2011]. • Doyle, Nancy D. Rehabilitation of fractures in small animals: maximize outcomes, minimize complications. Clinical techniques in small animal practices () [online database]. 2004 [2004; February 2,2011]:180-191. • Fischer, J. Lindenmayer, D.B. An assessment of the published results of animal relocations. Biological conservation (96) [online database]. 2000 [February 17, 2000; February, 2011]: 1-11. • Fleming, Gregory J. Clinical technique: chelonian shell repair. Journal of exotic pet medicine [online database]. October, 2008 [October, 2008; February, 2011]; Vol 17 (4): 246-258. • Jessup, David A. Mazet, Jonna A.K. Rehabilitation of oiled wildlife: why do it? International Oil Spill Conference. • Molony, Susie E. Dowding, Claire V. Baker, Philip J. Cuthill, Innes C. Harris, Stephet. The effect of translocation and temporary captivity on wildlife rehabilitation success: an experimental study using European hedgehogs (Erinaceuseuropaeus.) Biological conservation (130) [online database]. 2006 [2006; January, 2011]: 530-537. • Saba, V.S. Spolita, J.R. Survival and behavior of freshwater turtles after rehabilitation from an oil spill. Environmental pollution [online database]. 2003 [14 May 2003; January 2011]126:213-223. • Shine, Richard; Koenig, Jennifer. Snakes in the garden: an analysis of reptiles “rescued” by community-based wildlife carers. Biological conservation (102) [online database]. November 16, 2000 [March 13, 2001; February 2, 2011