Question

Most people live in areas that were once home only to wildlife. Direct contact between humans and wild animals is bound to happen, and sometimes that contact can be a problem. According to Maine’s state wildlife rehabilitation website, “In most cases, when humans and wildlife collide, wildlife suffers.” That’s where wildlife rehabilitators come in. Rehabbers provide valuable services to injured animals and also assist the professionals who treat them.

2

According to Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Lab (CWHL), there are more than 400 professional wildlife rehabilitators (Peaslee 5). The number of volunteers is even greater. Some estimates put that figure at more than 1,600 across the United States. But even volunteers must get licenses to conduct wildlife rehab work. In North Carolina, for example, rehabilitators are required to work with mentors for a full year before they can get their own licenses.

3

Wildlife rehabbers care for injured and orphaned animals and then return them to their natural habitats. Wild animals can be cute, especially when they are babies, but people should not try to take them in as pets. Becoming comfortable around humans is not safe for them. PAWS, an animal rehab organization, points out that the work that wildlife rehabilitators do is not about trying to tame the animals under their care. The animals are held in captivity only until they are healthy enough to return to the wild. During this rehab period, contact between humans and the animals is kept to a minimum.

4

Some rehabilitators also educate the public about wildlife. For instance, they advise people on what to do if they encounter a wild animal. They also teach people to recognize when an animal needs help. “Education is an important part of wildlife rehabilitation,” according to Urban Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitation in New York. They believe that teaching people about wildlife keeps both animals and humans safe.

5

In addition, rehabbers receive calls from people who need help. One caller may want to report an injured animal. Another might have a wild animal inside their home. Rehabilitators help the callers stay calm. They advise them about what to do and where to take the animals. At times, qualified rehabbers may remove animals and take them to a wildlife rehab center for treatment. Calls like these can come at any time, so rehabilitators must always be prepared. According to CWHL, animals are most often brought to wildlife rehab centers between the months of May and July (Peaslee 9).

6

On a typical day, a wildlife rehabilitator feeds and waters the animals in their care. They also clean the animals’ cages and change their bedding. In addition, the rehabilitator will consult with a veterinarian and administer any medications the animals might need. Most rehabbers will accept donations to help pay for food and supplies. However, they often take on much of the expense themselves.

7

Working in animal rehab is enjoyable, but it can also be difficult or even dangerous. Those who work with certain types of animals, such as raccoons or bats, are required to have a rabies vaccination. This is to protect them in case they are bitten by an infected animal. But for those involved in wildlife rehabilitation, the rewards are worth it.

The main idea of the text
3–4 important details
An explanation of what wildlife rehabilitators do and why they are important

Answer 1

Main idea
- Wildlife rehabilitators rescue, treat, and care for injured or orphaned wild animals and return them to the wild, while minimizing human contact and educating the public to keep both people and animals safe.

3–4 important details
- There are hundreds of professional rehabilitators and many more volunteers nationwide; volunteers must also be licensed and often train with mentors for a year before working independently.
- Rehabilitators keep human contact minimal so animals aren’t habituated to people; animals are held only until they can survive in the wild.
- They respond to public calls (e.g., injured animals or animals in homes), advise callers, sometimes remove animals, and transport them to rehab centers; peak intake occurs most often between May and July.
- Daily work includes feeding, cleaning, administering medications in consultation with veterinarians, and often covering much of the cost themselves; some workers must have rabies vaccinations for safety.

Explanation of what they do and why they are important
- What they do: Wildlife rehabilitators rescue and stabilize injured or orphaned wildlife, provide medical treatment and supportive care, rehabilitate animals’ natural behaviors while limiting human interaction, and release the animals back into appropriate habitats. They also educate the public about when and how to help wildlife and coordinate with vets and wildlife agencies.
- Why they’re important: They reduce animal suffering, prevent people from unintentionally harming wildlife (or creating unsafe, habituated animals), support public safety (e.g., handling potentially rabid animals), and contribute to conservation by returning healthy animals to ecosystems.