Wildlife Rehabilitators in Louisiana (2021)

There are many nature enthusiasts and volunteers who contribute in diverse ways to helping enrich our natural environment.  Some folks make larger contributions than others though.  I’ve expressed gratitude previously for the many amateur naturists and those who share their time and skills at our parks, refuges, and wilderness areas.  A particular category of volunteer service, wildlife rehabilitation, seems to deserve special recognition. 

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and its Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit program regulates wildlife rehabilitation.  The goal is to place injured or orphaned wildlife in experienced hands for temporary care until these animals can be successfully returned to the wild. The state does not authorize rehabilitation of certain species, though, such as deer, alligators, black bears or wild turkeys.   

 

Permitted wildlife rehabilitators are not employees of our state or the LDWF.  These rehabbers often have separate jobs or careers and are volunteers.  A listing of about 25 or so of our state wildlife rehabilitators can be found on a page of the LDWF website.  Each of these individuals has indicated the parishes that she or he serves and the wildlife species that are accepted.  Some rehabbers who are listed accept a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals, while others handle one or just a few species. 

 

One prominent state wildlife rehabber is Gia Morgan, DMV.  She started a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2013 that became Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation of Louisiana (WERLA) and serves northwest Louisiana.  WERLA receives many calls for help each year and rehabilitates various mammals, reptiles and indigenous and migratory birds.  Pamela Kay Connery, another committed rehabber, focuses on a single species statewide with the Louisiana Bobcat Refuge, another non-profit organization.  According to Melissa Collins, a wildlife biologist and the permits coordinator for LDWF, the typical profile for a state wildlife rehabber is a woman with many years of related experiences and the financial resources to provide for necessary facilities and care.  

 

There is a need for more rehabbers in this state, Melissa Collins told me.  Becoming a licensed or permitted state wildlife rehabber requires much more than training and testing.  Yes, rehabbers must have knowledge of wildlife behavior, habitat, diet, and species-specific needs, but a serious commitment of time and costs associated with the proper care of wildlife species is also necessary.  

 

Among specific requirements for the Louisiana Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit are being at least 18 years or age, not being a convicted felon or having a Class 2 or greater wildlife violation, and completing the LDWF rehabilitation course and testing process.  Annual continuing education courses must also be completed.  Other requirements include a statement of veterinary support from a licensed veterinarian and a letter of recommendation from a permitted wildlife rehabber.  Such a recommendation is usually based on the applicant having served as an assistant or apprentice rehabber for at least six months.  Facilities inspection ensuring that the applicant’s wildlife enclosures meet or exceed minimum standards set by national and international wildlife rehabilitation authorities is part of the permitting process.  Those who might be interested in becoming a state wildlife rehabber must also provide release and financial responsibility statements.  Applications and more information about this permit program can be obtained by contacting Melissa Collins at mcollins@wlf.la.gov or (225) 763-8584.      

   

The emergence of national and international professional associations devoted to this cause occurred in the later decades of the twentieth century.  International, national and state requirements can vary and have changed somewhat over the years.  Books and online education courses are available to explain how program administrators and regulators, educators, veterinarians, biologists, nutritionists, scientists, rescuers, and rehabbers often work together toward preserving natural ecosystems.  Just two introductory books are The Road to Release: A Beginners Guide to Wildlife Rehabilitation (2013 by Annette King) and Wildlife Rehabilitation: Basic Life Support (2010 by Nancy A Schwartz).    

 

Wildlife rehabbers are frequently contacted by the public concerning injured or apparently abandoned wildlife.  The LDWF website provides basic information and flow charts that indicate when and how to respond in these situations.  One mistake commonly made involves people attempting to rescue small animals that seem to be abandoned.  Adult animals can leave their young in order to forage for food without abandoning them.  Handling or moving these young mammals might lead the parent to abandon or not be able to locate them.  Separate LDWF web pages detail step-by-step procedures for determining how to respond to apparently injured or abandoned baby mammals and baby birds.  Contacting a state wildlife rehabber can be an option suggested in certain situations. 

 

We often refer to those in government as dedicated public servants.  State wildlife rehabilitators are truly dedicated volunteers in service to our state wildlife and natural ecosystems.  For many or all of these volunteers, this service must be a labor of love.   

   

Photos:  1) Otter rehabilitation (credit to Jordan Padlo) 

2) Yellow-crowned night heron rehabilitation (credit to Dr. Gia Morgan)