Wildlife Disease and Rehabilitation Restrictions

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whimsicaldeb
Posts: 882
Joined: November 3rd, 2004, 4:53 pm
Location: Northern California, USA
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Wildlife Disease and Rehabilitation Restrictions

Post by whimsicaldeb » October 4th, 2005, 4:26 pm

I'm passing this information along. It's the first I've heard about this. I'm a member of IWRC (US); and I wish I could attend this years IWRC conference in Toronto, but unfortunately I can't. However, I do plan to stay abreast of this situation ... as wildlife being thought of as "Nuisance Animals" is something we've also been dealing with here in Northern California. If local governments begins to feel the same way ...

Please pass along this information as you feel appropriate. Thank you. ~ Deb

~~~~~~~~~

From: OCWC <ocwc@ncf.ca>
Subject: WILDLIFE DISEASE AND REHABILITATION RESTRICTIONS

ARE YOU ATTENDING THE IWRC CONFERENCE IN TORONTO?

WILDLIFE DISEASE AND REHABILITATION RESTRICTIONS

Do you share the concern of a growing number of wildlife rehabilitators who
recognize that the emphasis on wildlife diseases such as Rabies, West Nile
and Chronic Wasting Disease by wildlife agencies in Canada and the United
States will cause increasing restrictions on wildlife rehabilitation?

The Ontario Wildlife Coalition is planning an information and dialogue
session to coincide with the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
Conference (IWRC) being held in Toronto, Canada on November 8-12, 2005. The
Coalition's dialogue is a private session for wildlife rehabilitators and
their supporters, intended to encourage a frank and open discussion about
these concerns.

The Ontario Wildlife Coalition is comprised of wildlife rehabilitation,
environmental and animal welfare organizations and individuals. The
Coalition was formed in response to the unwarranted wildlife rehabilitation
restrictions imposed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. These
restrictions threaten to eliminate humane and internationally-accepted
rehabilitation standards and have already forced many rehabilitators in
Ontario to reluctantly discontinue providing services within their
communities. Given the close collaboration and co-operation between U.S.
and Canadian wildlife authorities, it is very likely these restrictions will
have a growing impact on wildlife rehabilitation in North America.

Please let us know if you would like to attend this session by completing
the confidential form below and mailing it to the Ontario Wildlife Coalition
at 221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101, Toronto, Ontario M4M 2G3 or e-mailing it
to liz@animalalliance.ca before October 21, 2005.

If you are not attending the Conference but are concerned about this issue
and want to be kept abreast of developments, please complete the form below
and check off the appropriate line.

Name______________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

City_______________________________________________

State/Province_______________________________________

Zip/Postal Code_______________

Telephone___________________

E-Mail______________________

Rehabilitation Interest (Species)___________________________________

Other_______________________________________________________

____I am not attending the Conference but want to be kept informed about
this issue

---end email

Additional Info/Links:

http://www.wildlifeontario.ca/content/a ... Issues.doc
CHALLENGING UNWORKABLE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION REGULATIONS: Response to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Proposal

http://www.wildlifeontario.ca/content/n ... ategy.html
September 14th, 2005
Wildlife advocates shoot down Ontario’s nuisance wildlife strategy
Groups shut out from consultations over government’s pro-gun approach

http://www.wildlifeontario.ca/content/n ... Aspen.html
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources strong-arm tactics and regressive regulations leaves wildlife rehabilitation and orphaned wildlife in the cold!
Anonymous attack on the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary mirrors the Ministry’s hostility to wildlife rehabilitation.

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abcrystcats
Posts: 619
Joined: August 20th, 2004, 9:37 pm

Post by abcrystcats » December 14th, 2005, 2:18 am

whimsicaldeb:

IMHO, there is no such thing as "nuisance" wildlife. What we call nuisance wildlife has only been made a nuisance by human overpopulation and extermination of predator species that would naturally keep some of the "nuisance" populations in control.

I am not concerned that the emphasis on CWD, Avian Flu, West Nile Virus will place limits on wildlife rehab. People who care about animal welfare will continue to minster to animal needs regardless of laws or regulations. Most people who actively care for animals are breaking the law in one way or another. Restrictions, be damned. We will do it, no matter what. We already are.

Yes, there will be fewer legal avenues, but as the human population gets bigger, and the animal inhabitants of the planet get squeezed out, this was going to happen anyway. Paranoia about zoonoses and other types of animal disease is only an excuse.

I'm pessimistic. Until I see human population trends turning the other way, I see little hope for any animal species. The animals who make it will be the animals who adapt to us. Coyotes have a chance. Foxes have a chance. Squirrels, some birds, raccoons .... they all have a fighting chance. Large cats, forget it. They are well on their way to extinction.

Go to any zoo. They are filled with endangered animals, whose populations will only be kept alive in the future through artificial breeding programs. We are more concerned that little Johnny get the opportunity to see a giraffe, than we are with the idea of giraffes living naturally and freely, somewhere on the planet. If giraffes survive, it will be because we want our grandhchildren to see them, and that's it.

We are a pestilence.

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