TWRA Nature @ Noontime - December 2009 Session
Walden’s Puddle – Giving Wildlife a Second Chance
December 3, 12 - 1 p.m., Nashville Office Conference Room (Note location change!)
Probably all of us have reached out to help a wild animal in trouble, a baby bird out of its nest, a baby cottontail rabbit, a turtle, even a fawn. It might surprise most of us to know that it’s a violation of state and federal laws to provide care for orphaned, injured, displaced or ill wildlife without the proper permits.
Why is a permit needed? It’s necessary for the well being of the animal and you. The permitting process, which is regulated by TWRA and the US Fish & Wildlife Service and administered by TWRA, is designed to assure that the individuals or centers providing care for wildlife have had adequate training and that facilities are appropriate for the species in their care.
We’re not saying not to help wildlife, they’re often in trouble thanks to automobiles, weather events, cat predation, and other causes. What we recommend is that once you find an animal in trouble and are absolutely sure that it is legitimately orphaned, is to contact a permitted professional wildlife rehabilitation facility as soon as possible. There they will give advice as to how to best handle the animal and if they are able to admit it into their facility.
In Davidson County, one of three permitted wildlife rehabilitation facilities is Walden’s Puddle. Bettina Bowers-Schwan, Animal Care Director, will be our next Nature @ Noontime presenter and will tell us about the facility and what to do when we find wildlife in trouble.
Bettina will remind us that the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitators is to return the animal to its natural habitat, not to turn it into a pet. Those animals who sustain injuries or illnesses that prevent them from living successfully in the wild usually are euthanized – have their suffering ended in a humane fashion. Occasionally, individuals who have recovered from their injuries but are not able to survive in the wild are placed in education facilities.
In 2008, Walden’s Puddle provided emergency care and rehabilitation to more than 1,700 orphaned and injured animals! For its small group of dedicated professional staff and volunteers, this was an extremely challenging task. Supported entirely by donation, they do not charge for services and receive no federal or state funding at this time.
So remember, in almost every case, keeping a wild animal is illegal. Native wildlife species are protected by state laws, federal laws, or both. More importantly, wild animals deserve the best possible care and a permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility or individual is the best answer for their needs. Please utilize and support your local wildlife rehabilitators!
Hosted by the I&E Department and held on the first Thursday of each month, except July, TWRA Nature @ Noontime presentations are about natural resource related topics and last about 30-45 minutes, allowing time for discussion during the allotted lunch hour. If you would like to make a presentation, if you have topics of personal interest you would like us to address, or if you know someone who offers an interesting program, contact Patricia Miller (615) 781-5276 or by e-mail: Patricia.Miller@state.tn.us.
