Wildlife Search and Rescue: A Guide for First Responders.

Abstract

WILDLIFE rescue has become part of Australian urban society. Injured and sick animals are common in all cities and their surrounding suburbs. The majority of these are common human commensals that have been dogs, cats, and cars, or have struck overhead wires or windows. Near coasts, it is common to find birds entangled in fishing line (with or without hooks) or fouled by other rubbish that is the jetsam of human society. Rescuing these animals, whether or not there is any conservation value or not, makes people feel good. Since the 1980s, organizations, such as Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) in New South Wales, have proliferated and process tens of thousands of distressed animals annually. WIRES, for example, processed 56 500 animals in 2009/10. Many of these were threatened fauna, with the WIRES’ web site stating they handle 130 species on average each month. Birds are the most common group processed. There are 2000 WIRES volunteers, all of whom have been required to undertake training in the handling of wild animals. Although oiled birds, whales entangled in shark nets or stranded on beaches are often in the headlines, rescuing them requires professional skills and logistical support outside the scope of “wildlife rescuers” and are