10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

There are few sights more wrenching to a wildlife rehabilitator than a convulsing, lead-poisoned bird. In what some might see as an unlikely alliance, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and – yes – hunters have banded together to convince those who hunt to use copper bullets instead of lead.

Hunters 205

Hunters Wildlife Rehabilitation Legislation Pigs 205

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2015

This week’s guest blog was written by Linda Hufford, who has been a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in raptors for over twenty years. She runs Birds of Texas Rehabilitation Center in Austin County, Texas. As a wildlife rehabilitator, I’ve used many of their gathered facts to improve my bird care.

Collecting 240

Collecting Wildlife Rehabilitation Solomon Islands Texas 240

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2015

My work as a wildlife rehabilitator over the past forty-five years has allowed me a unique perspective on a disturbing trend. Consider this: ninety percent of birds treated at wildlife centers are admitted as a result of human interactions that have nothing to do with “nature.”

Wildlife Rehabilitation 190

Wildlife Rehabilitation Bald Eagle Rescue Wildlife 190

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2012

In responding to Suzie’s post defending wildlife rehabilitation I began to think again about the areas in which animal rights and animal welfare overlap with the field of conservation, and the ways in which they don’t. Not from an environmental perspective but from a “don’t you like animals?” ” one.

Animal Rights 270

Animal Rights Rights Animal New Zealand 270

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2015

Nearly exterminated in Maine by hunters in the 1800‘s, the charismatic, orange-beaked little puffins nested only on one other state island until Dr. Kress painstakingly – and groundbreakingly – lured them back to nest on Eastern Egg Rock in 1977. What’s it called when birds return to the same nesting spot?”

Puffins 275

Puffins Birds Groups West Virginia 275

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2016

I’m a wildlife rehabilitator, so I’m always ranting about things like eagles being lead poisoned or songbirds being slaughtered by outdoor and feral cats. I’ve received stacks of hate mail from hunters who use lead bullets (as opposed to copper), outdoor cat owners, etc etc etc. For a minute, she had me.

Feral Cats 103

Feral Cats Wildlife Rehabilitation United States Slaughter 103

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

He was a small male, six or seven months old, and obviously not a skilled hunter. All three arrived ten minutes later. It was lucky for the hawk, who was so emaciated he probably wouldn’t have lasted the night. Solid food would have killed him, as he’d have used up the last of his fading energy trying to digest it.

Mice 239

Mice Squirrels Hunters Meat 239