The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

"Thanks to the IWRC, I feel more confident and empowered in my mission to help our feathered friends at For The Birds of Acadiana." - Julie Rabalais, IWRC member

Read about Julie here: https://theiwrc.org/julierabalais/

Fascinating study: Miller EA, Amato R, Ponder JB, Bueno I (2024) Survey of antimicrobial and probiotic use practices in wildlife rehabilitation in the United States. PLoS ONE 19(8): e0308261. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308261

☕️ Join us for Coffee & Tea on September 18: Transformative Avian Conservation! 🐦 Register here ➡️ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf-uorTwrE9a3vRN0OJ0naKDJcr--14i_?mc_cid=b26481881d&mc_eid=UNIQID #/registration

Send a message to learn more

🦝 Did You Know? A group of bears is called a "sleuth"! 🌟

Join the IWRC sleuth today by becoming a member! As part of our community, you'll gain access to a host of benefits designed to support and enhance your wildlife rehabilitation efforts.

theiwrc.org/product/membership

🌍 Happy Vulture Awareness Day! 🦅 Today we spotlight the vital role vultures play in our ecosystems. These incredible birds help keep our environment clean by consuming dead animal matter, preventing the spread of diseases. Thanks, vultures!

📬 Sign up for the IWRC’s monthly newsletter today and never miss an update. ➡️ https://theiwrc.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=079c019a17c5f122786e30664&id=c92c6e669c&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1UZUUpZyT0JPkunNB1LMZN3yePt14TcstAZVOCayvhw2F8Wc1JrhmEefw_aem_m5F1P2t_Vg_XYqXnd7_Q6A

🌍 Today, September 4th, is National Wildlife Day! 🐾

IWRC empowers wildlife rehabilitators with essential training and resources to care for wildlife effectively.

Learn more about us and become a member: theiwrc.org

UPDATE: we are back up. Thanks for your patience!

UPDATE: we’ve put the fix in process and now need to wait for the electronic bits to remember the correct address. This could take as long as two hours. Meaning we’ll be up and running again by 11 am Pacific. If not I’ll be back on the phone with our domain provider! -Kai

We are working to restore our website. We hope to have it up in the next hour. I’ll update here if things are slower. -Kai

There are just a few days left to apply for the Helene Marie Van Doninck Scholarship, which closes August 31.

Details here --> https://shorturl.at/KKwMr

This scholarship aims to promote public education and advocacy in wildlife rehabilitation by funding attendance at conferences or other educational opportunities.

🐉 Celebrate the Year of the Dragon! 🍂 As the cooler fall weather sets in across the northern hemisphere, stay warm and stylish with our exclusive IWRC Komodo Dragon Hoodie. It's the coolest addition to your wardrobe this season, and helps support IWRC!

https://iwrcwildliferehabilitation.teemill.com/product/iwrc-year-of-the-dragon-shirt/

IWRC Year of the Dragon Hoodie IWRC Year of the Dragon Hoodie

Looking for a job? Searching for an internship? Browse our Job Postings and Animal Placement page:

https://theiwrc.org/job-postings-and-animal-placement/

Fascinating study: Causes of admissions and mortality in patients of a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Bulgaria
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11231569/

Abstract: Wildlife rescue centres are specialised units with ecological, conservational and veterinary medical activities, which include treatment, rehabilitation, breeding and releasing rare and endangered wild animals into their natural habitat, as well as environmental education. These centres provide an opportunity to monitor ongoing ecological changes in wildlife, environmental pollution and emerging diseases. With the present study, we aimed to analyse the causes and conservation status of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centre in Bulgaria. A total of 18,720 patients, from 26 orders with various conservation statuses and different etiology, have been admitted to the rehabilitation centre for over 25 years. The summarised results showed that 40% of the patients were admitted with an unknown etiology and the proportion of anthropogenic causes was 18%. Natural factors related to incidents with wild animals were 32%, while a share of 10% of the wildlife which resided at the WRBC referred to a part of re-introduction programmes. This type of analysis of wildlife rehabilitation centres could provide useful information about the status of populations and ecosystems, as well as support conservation practices.

🦝 Did You Know? A group of raccoons is called a "gaze"! 🌟

Join the IWRC gaze today by becoming a member! As part of our community, you'll gain access to a host of benefits designed to support and enhance your wildlife rehabilitation efforts.

theiwrc.org/product/membership

IWRC member Melanie Whalen has a rich background as a wildlife disease research technician, focusing on rabies vector species, Chronic Wasting Disease, and White-Nose Syndrome in bats. She made a significant contribution by identifying Canada's first case of White-Nose Syndrome, which led to pivotal research and applications in wildlife rehabilitation. Melanie is the Director of Animal Care and Wildlife Services at Calgary Wildlife. Learn more here: https://theiwrc.org/melaniewhalen

🌟 Calling All Wildlife Heroes! 🌟 Are you passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation? We want to celebrate your incredible work! 🐾 If you're an IWRC member, we invite you to be featured in our Member Spotlight.

https://shorturl.at/ASrUz

Fill out this form and share your story with the world. Let's inspire others with the impactful work you do for wildlife!

An exciting event from IAATE: Thirty-third Annual Conference
International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators
Pigeon Forge 2025: Soaring Through the Smokies
February 19-22, 2025
Hosted in Pigeon Forge, TN USA
Papers, site visits, roundtables, workshops, and networking. Topics will include avian behavior, training, husbandry, welfare, conservation, education, enrichment, and show presentation/production.
Paper abstract submission deadline October 1, 2024.
Paper presenters receive discounted registration fees. Please visit our website and navigate to Speakers section under the 2025 Conference pages for the link to submit an abstract.
Can’t afford to attend? Take advantage of our Walter Crawford Memorial Conference Scholarship. See website for application form for this scholarship to cover expenses of conference attendance. Deadline to apply is September 15, 2024.
For more information about the conference visit http://www.IAATE.org
Questions? Email IAATE Vice President [email protected]

Could a scholarship boost your wildlife rehabilitation education? Don’t miss the Helene Marie Van Doninck Memorial Scholarship! Applications are open until August 31.

https://shorturl.at/KKwMr

This scholarship aims to promote public education and advocacy in wildlife rehabilitation by funding attendance at conferences or other educational opportunities.

Join our online Coffee & Tea wildlife seminar on Thursday, August 15th at 2 pm ET! Learn about the Casitas Azules project in Mahahual, Mexico, which promotes coexistence between humans, jaguars, dogs, and sea turtles. Discover how IFAW and local efforts are using dog pens to protect the ecosystem. Don't miss out! Check the comments for the registration link. 🌍☕

🍂 Fall 2024 Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Classes are Here! 🐸 Hop on over to theiwrc.org/courses and sign up today:

Sept 7-8: Cabuya, Costa Rica
Sept 23-30: Eastern Time Zone (Online)
Oct 7-13: Central Time Zone (Online)
Oct 12-13: Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Oct 19-20: Davie, Florida
Oct 21-27: Mountain Time Zone (Online)
Oct 26-27: Pasadena, California
Nov 2-3: Louisville, Kentucky
Nov 4-5: Navarre, Florida
Nov 4-10: Pacific Time Zone (Online)
Nov 13-14: Newark, Delaware

We're thrilled to announce a unique opportunity for aspiring and experienced wildlife rehabilitators! Join us for our Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course this Fall 2024 in beautiful Cabuya, Costa Rica, hosted by Wild Sun Rescue Center. 🌴 Register here: https://theiwrc.org/product/basic-wildlife-rehabilitation-course/

Send a message to learn more

🔍 New Study Highlights! 🦔 A recent study published in One Health tested hedgehogs from wildlife centers and found that a significant number of them carried diseases transmitted by ticks and fleas.

Key findings:

A whopping 84.8% of hedgehogs had antibodies against Lyme disease bacteria.

Over half were carriers of a bacterium linked to both human and animal diseases.

Few tested positive for other diseases like tick-borne encephalitis and various other pathogens.

This study underscores the importance of hedgehogs as carriers of diseases that can affect pets and humans, highlighting a crucial urban wildlife health issue.

🔗 Read more about the research here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771424000909?via%3Dihub

Did you know that scientists can use certain body markers to understand how well animals are doing in the wild? A recent study led by Michaël Beaulieu suggests that these markers, related to oxidative status (a type of stress measurement), are useful but often overlooked tools.

The research shows that these markers can effectively tell us when animals are not feeling well due to various stressors. This exciting finding could help scientists better monitor and improve the lives of animals in their natural habitats.

🔗 Learn more about this study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bies.202300205

Happy August, incredible wildlife rehabilitators! 🌟 As we welcome a new month, we're curious to hear from you: What's your busiest time of year? And in those whirlwind moments, how do you find your calm? Remember, amidst the hectic days, it's important to pause and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. You do amazing work, and we hope you find some time this month to reflect on your remarkable achievements and rejuvenate. Thank you for everything you do! 💚🌿

✨ Exciting Opportunity for Wildlife Rehabilitators! ✨

Are you looking to expand your knowledge and skills in wildlife rehabilitation? Don't miss out on the Helene Marie Van Doninck Memorial Scholarship! Whether you're aiming to attend a vital conference or pursue other educational opportunities, this scholarship is here to support your journey.

https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HELENE-MARIE-VAN-DONINCK-AWARD-APPLICANT-REQUIREMENTS.pdf?mc_cid=a35e0aaabe&mc_eid=d556caf393&mc_cid=63e3d1ec8c&mc_eid=d556caf393

Applications are open until August 31st. This is your chance to enhance your ability to educate and advocate in the field of wildlife rehabilitation.

Apply today and take a big step toward advancing your impact on wildlife care! 🐾

Have you taken an IWRC class, or have you benefited from IWRC's resources? 🌟 Consider leaving us a review on Great Nonprofits. It just takes a few minutes and means so much!
https://greatnonprofits.org/org/the-international-wildlife-rehabilitation-council?mc_cid=63e3d1ec8c&mc_eid=d556caf393

Shop in style and show your colors with the IWRC logo tote. Flip side features a capybara, Egyptian vulture, and frog. And even better, it's printed on demand in a renewable energy powered factory. https://iwrcwildliferehabilitation.teemill.com/product/logo-tote/

Check out this recent Bird Hugger podcast to hear Kai Williams, the Executive Director of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, share her expertise in the latest episode, "So You Want To Become A Wildlife Rehabilitator." 👉 https://app.resonaterecordings.com/hosting/birdhugger/8f7b88e2-d1ee-444f-88f3-9a7c8f0fa05b

BIRD HUGGER | Resonate Recordings | Podcast Love gardening and birds and want to help Mother Nature? Join host Catherine Greenleaf, former gardening columnist for the Boston Herald Sunday Magazine and a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for discussions about organic gard...

Check out our online Parasitology course for wildlife professionals, with a practical lab component! https://theiwrc.org/product/parasitology/ Register now and earn all course badges within 3 months for a chance to win a small prize! 🌟🔬

Happy Father's Day! 🐺

✨ Celebrate the Worldwide Day of Giving! 🎁

June 15th is your opportunity to truly make a difference. By donating to the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, you support vital, evidence-based education and resources that advance wildlife rehabilitation. Become a Community Builder today and help us move forward in our crucial work:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/international-wildlife-rehabilitation-council/community-builders

🐾 Join this global movement and create a positive impact!