What does a wildlife rehabilitator do?

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What is a Wildlife Rehabilitator?

A wildlife rehabilitator cares for injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats. These animals might be hurt by cars, caught by pets, or affected by environmental issues. Rehabilitators provide food, shelter, medical care, and a safe space for animals to heal. Their work helps give wild animals a second chance at survival in the wild.

Wildlife rehabilitators work with many types of animals, including birds, mammals, and sometimes reptiles. They follow strict guidelines to keep the animals wild—avoiding too much human contact—so they don’t become too used to people. Rehabilitators often work closely with veterinarians and wildlife agencies, and they also help educate the public about how to protect local wildlife.

What does a Wildlife Rehabilitator do?

A wildlife rehabilitator helping an injured bird.

Duties and Responsibilities
A wildlife rehabilitator has a wide range of responsibilities that support the recovery and safe return of wild animals to their natural habitats. These duties involve hands-on care, coordination with professionals, and public outreach.

  • Assessing Animal Condition: When an animal is brought in, the rehabilitator evaluates it for injuries, illness, or signs of stress to determine the most appropriate course of care.
  • Providing Medical Treatment: They administer first aid, medications, and other treatments as needed, often under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.
  • Feeding and Housing: Rehabilitators provide proper nutrition and create enclosures that meet the animal’s physical and behavioral needs while minimizing human contact.
  • Preparing for Release: As animals recover, the rehabilitator gradually limits interaction and monitors their readiness to survive independently in the wild.
  • Keeping Records: Detailed logs of each animal’s condition, treatment, and release are maintained for legal compliance and ongoing care improvements.
  • Educating the Public: They often engage with the community to teach people how to coexist with wildlife and prevent common hazards like window strikes or pet attacks.

Types of Wildlife Rehabilitators
There are different types of wildlife rehabilitators, each focusing on specific kinds of animals or areas of care. Their work may vary depending on their training, permits, and the needs of the region they serve.

  • General Wildlife Rehabilitators: These professionals care for a variety of species, such as birds, mammals, and reptiles. They are trained to handle many different situations and often work at wildlife centers or as independent volunteers.
  • Bird Specialists: Focused on avian species, these rehabilitators are skilled in handling everything from songbirds to raptors, and understand the unique feeding, flight, and recovery needs of birds.
  • Mammal Specialists: These rehabilitators work mainly with animals like squirrels, raccoons, foxes, and deer, often requiring knowledge of species-specific diets and behavioral needs.
  • Marine Wildlife Rehabilitators: Trained to care for aquatic animals like seals, sea turtles, and seabirds, they often work in coastal areas and collaborate with marine biologists and rescue organizations.
  • Orphan Care Specialists: These individuals focus on young animals that have lost their parents. They provide round-the-clock feeding and care while ensuring the animals don’t become dependent on humans.
  • Emergency Responders: Some rehabilitators specialize in wildlife emergencies, such as oil spills, natural disasters, or mass injuries. They help stabilize animals quickly and coordinate with other agencies for larger-scale care.

Are you suited to be a wildlife rehabilitator?

Wildlife rehabilitators have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also artistic, meaning they’re creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive.

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What is the workplace of a Wildlife Rehabilitator like?

The workplace of a wildlife rehabilitator is often hands-on, active, and closely connected to nature. Many work at wildlife rehabilitation centers, animal shelters, or sanctuaries, while others care for animals from home-based facilities if they are properly licensed. These environments include animal enclosures, treatment rooms, and outdoor recovery areas that are designed to keep animals safe, healthy, and as wild as possible. Some rehabilitators also work in mobile units or in the field to rescue animals in distress.

The work setting can be physically demanding and sometimes unpredictable. Rehabilitators may be cleaning cages, preparing food, giving medication, or handling animals that are frightened or injured. It’s common to work long hours, especially during spring and summer when baby animals are most often rescued. Safety is also important—rehabilitators use gloves, protective clothing, and follow strict guidelines to protect themselves and the animals in their care.

In addition to caring for animals, wildlife rehabilitators may spend time doing paperwork, updating records, talking with the public, or coordinating with veterinarians and wildlife agencies. They may also participate in educational outreach to teach others about coexisting with wildlife. Whether indoors or outdoors, the workplace combines compassion, skill, and dedication to help animals return to the wild where they belong.

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Wildlife Rehabilitators are also known as:
Animal Rehabilitator