Iowa
Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
"Answering a Wild Call for Help"
Wildlife rehabilitation is defined as the process of rescuing, raising, or medically treating orphaned, diseased, displaced, or injured native wild animals with the goal of release back to their appropriate habitats in the wild.
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator
- goes through a step-by-step hierarchy of trainings beginning with a two year apprenticeship
- works with a veterinarian and state and federal wildlife agencies
- provides facilities, diets, and captive and direct clinical care for wild animals that meet standards set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Through their work, wildlife rehabilitators provide clues and search for solutions to the problems facing wildlife populations today by
- monitoring emerging wildlife diseases
- researching vaccines and better medical treatments
- supporting reintroduction programs for endangered species
- refining captive care and breeding techniques for wild animals
- educating people about the role of wild animals in the ecosystem and the importance of habitat conservation and sustainable use of our precious natural resources
- providing internship and mentoring opportunities