Below is a link to a brief video presentation developed to provide introductory information to veterinarians on how to render medical assistance to wildlife before transfer to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
This video is not a substitute for training and education in wildlife medicine; rather, it is designed to be an introduction to the topic that will motivate veterinarians to learn more and partner with wildlife rehabilitators. It emphasizes the importance of the partnership between wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians, and discusses the role each profession plays in the treatment of wildlife patients. It also discusses the legal aspects of providing such care. There are links both within the video and in a document accompanying it that contain resources that practitioners who desire additional knowledge can access for no or minimal cost.
The presentation was created by a veterinarian who is also a wildlife rehabilitator. We hope that it can be a useful tool for veterinarians who are presented with wild patients, either by licensed wildlife rehabilitators or by the general public who encounter and rescue sick or injured wildlife. We encourage veterinarians to share it with their staff and colleagues, and to fill out the brief survey on the site.
This presentation and supporting documents were developed as a product of the Partners for Wildlife Fellowship Program. Partners for Wildlife (P4W) is an initiative of the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center that works with wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians to improve the welfare of orphaned, ill, and injured wildlife of all species.
For further information or questions please contact Dr. Laura Johnson (lgjson@mwt.net) or Partners for Wildlife (P4W@umn.edu).
https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/wildlifeinvetpractice/home