Assorted Topics Abstracts

​WRMD: Overview, Updates, New Features


Devin Dombrowski,
The Wild Neighbors Database Project, CA

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There have been many changes over the past few years within WRMD, mostly thanks to our users' ideas and suggestions. We cover new features and proposed features for the future. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, view demonstrations, or get clarifications. WRMD also has been involved with a few projects within California that we briefy share. In 2016, WRMD launched a pilot program with help from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center to survey what is affecting California's wildlife in real time. This program has been invaluable to the state and to our community.

Incubating & Hatching Reptile Eggs:
​It’s Not Like Birds!


​Elise Gundlach,
WildCare Foundation, OK

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Hatching reptile eggs-the concept is simple but many wildlife rehabilitators struggle with successfully hatching an egg    or are unsure how to begin. Becoming a proud herptile parent can be the easiest parenting job you ever will have with a step-by-step guide to incubator setup, egg monitoring, viability, egg anatomy, first cracks, transition enclosures, and final prerelease enclosures. Presentation is based on the successful hatching of 13 Texas horned lizards, 8 red-eared sliders, and 4 river cooters in one season.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine for the Wildlife Patient

Halley Buckanoff,
North Carolina Zoo VHS
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, NC

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Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has been practiced for over 3500 years and encompasses a variety of 
therapies, including food, acupuncture, herbal, and Tui Na (a type of massage/physical therapy). An increasing number
of scientific studies are proving the effcacy of TCVM. Several wildlife facilities have been utilizing an integrated approach for their wildlife patients for a number of years now and have relayed stories of wildlife patients presenting with severe injuries, including spinal trauma, making full recoveries with a combination of medicinal and therapeutic treatments. This presentation covers assessing a patient for an integrated approach, finding a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturists, and successful stories from the field.