Reuniting Abstracts
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Full Abstract
When healthy young birds are accidentally separated from their parents, wildlife rehabilitators can best help by reuniting them with their own parents, or by wild-fostering them to another breeding pair of the same species. Success is based on an understanding of the nesting behavior of the particular species. Cavity or open-cup nest? Territorial or colonial breeder? Precocial or altricial? How long are the young birds dependent on parents? Examples of reuniting methods for raptors are presented to demonstrate the basic techniques of reuniting, along with brief discussions of strategies for reuniting passerines and waterfowl. |
Full Abstract
You want to reunite, but what if the mother won’t take her baby back? Uncertainty about the strength of the maternal bond is one of the principal reasons given by wildlife rehabilitators for failing to reunite healthy juveniles. The presenters have had many years of experience reuniting raccoons, skunks, opossums, and squirrels in an urban setting, and show, through videos, the amazing persistence and determination of the maternal bond in a variety of species. These video clips also demonstrate basic reuniting steps as well as critical considerations for successful reunions. Discussion includes some of the factors that affect the maternal behavior of different mammal species, especially those related to successful reuniting and wild-fostering. |
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Make Reuniting Your Priority Laura Simon Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Alabama Wildlife Center Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
What does it take to change rehabilitators’ attitudes about reuniting so it is a priority during baby season? Besides the critical benefits to the young animals, reuniting provides real benefits for over-loaded rehabilitators, allowing them to focus their skills and resources on animals that truly need their help. The presentation offers detailed recommendations for creating a practical reuniting program, both for centers and for individual rehabilitators. The presentation offers effective psychological approaches, plus vital problem diagnosis and persuasion tips that help attendees turn around even that most stubborn caller clutching a newly kidnapped wild animal in her arms. We need a new paradigm where rehabilitation success is measured not just in terms of intake/release statistics, but also in the number of animals successfully reunited and kept out of rehabilitation facilities. |
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Technology to the Rescue: Essential Tools for Successful Reuniting
Laura Simon, John Griffin, Anne Miller, Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, the HSUS, Alabama Wildlife Center Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
When you are reuniting wildlife, you need special equipment, tools, and technology to make sure the infants are safe and healthy while waiting for the mother to return, and to monitor the reunion process. This interactive workshop offers participants a chance to see and handle a variety of reunion nests and nest boxes for raptors and songbirds, as well as reunion boxes for mammals, heaters, and other reuniting aids. Information about how to make inexpensive but reliable equipment is also offered. Participants can examine various game cameras and closed-circuit TV cameras for follow-up observation to make sure reunions really do succeed. |