Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release

We discuss what’s going on behind the scenes at Partners For Wildlife with Program Manager Rob Kulhanek—diving into the collaboratively designed Wildlife Rehabilitation Knowledge Exchange (WRKE), a peer-to-peer message board platform for wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and other wildlife care professionals hosted by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), a long-standing networking site for veterinarians.

Special thanks to...

In the second part of this conversation, Gail and this episode’s co-host, Julia Ponder, a clinical wildlife veterinarian with a background in public health, continue speaking with members of the Wild Alert team: Rachel Avilla, President, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of The Wild Neighbors Database Project; Terra Kelly, an epidemiologist and wildlife health specialist; and Pranav Pandit, a One Health epidemiologist. They discus...

“Every single wildlife rehabilitator is important, big or small…” - Rachel Avilla

In this conversation, Gail and her first co-host, Julia Ponder, a clinical wildlife veterinarian with a background in public health, speak with members of the Wild Alert team: Rachel Avilla, President, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of The Wild Neighbors Database Project; Terra Kelly, an epidemiologist and wildlife health specialist; and Pranav Pan...

In the second part of this conversation, we speak with Dianne Odegard and Lee Mackenzie, the founders of Austin Bat Refuge. We add to our previous episode by doing a deep dive on the Eastern Red Bat, specifically, orphan babies.

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Austin Bat Refuge

The Rehabilitation and Captive Ca...

In the second part of our conversation with Amanda Nicholson, Senior Vice President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Dr. Karra Pierce, Director of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, we discuss the offerings (books, courses, and beyond) through the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) and how you can get involved from becoming a member to joining a committee and even the board. 

NWRA’s 2026 ...

We welcome Amanda Nicholson, Senior Vice President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Dr. Karra Pierce, Director of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, to the podcast to chat about the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). In the first of our two-part conversation, we discuss NWRA’s annual symposium, exploring what it takes to bring it to life and offering advice for first-time attendees. In ...

In the second part of our conversation with Kai Williams, the Executive Director of the IWRC, we dive into the classes offered, how they are helping folks outside of North America with wildlife rehabilitation, and the organization’s future. Be sure to keep an eye out for the organization’s upcoming publication on nutrition! 

Special thanks to our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota Coll...

We speak with Kai Williams, the Executive Director of the IWRC, about the organization’s mission, value statements, structure, and touch on the resources they provide. In part two, we discuss the classes offered and how the organization is helping folks outside of North America with wildlife rehabilitation. 

Special thanks to our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary...

We continue our discussion with Minnesota wildlife rehabilitator Jessika Madison-Kennedy on Northern Cardinals. We go into rehabilitation techniques and pro tips from shelter, diet, and how to tell when they’re ready for release.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Hand‐Rearing Birds (Second Edition) Editor(s): Rebecca S. Duer...

We’re kicking off Season 5 with Minnesota wildlife rehabilitator Jessika Madison-Kennedy to talk all things Northern Cardinals. We cover everything from their natural history to the rehabilitation techniques that help these iconic birds thrive.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Hand‐Rearing Birds (Second Edition) Edited by R...

In the second part of a two-part conversation, we dive into operant learning, definitions, and concepts related to working with ambassador animals with Melissa Moore, the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Ambassador Animals at the St. Louis Aquarium, and Jackie Kozlowski, the Senior Trainer at Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Vet...

In this episode, we continue our discussion on Eastern Box Turtles with Debbie Sykes, the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation. We explore common injuries, care processes, behaviors, and criteria for release.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Links to referenced presentations: 

NWRA Presentation: Soft Release of Rehabilitated Eastern Box ...

Partners for Wildlife welcomes Debbie Sykes, the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation, to the show! In this two-part conversation, we dive into natural history, common injuries, and care of Eastern Box Turtles. Did you know they’re born the size of a raspberry? We didn’t!

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Links to referenced presentation...

We continue our conversation with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research's Clinic Director, Andrea Howey-Newcomb, along with Marian Quinn, the Clinic Outreach and Oil Programs Core Team Volunteer, and Maryanne Yingst, the Volunteer Coordinator and Downstate Delaware Field Response.

In this episode, the Tri-State team discusses how adult learning theories have shaped the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Method. They highlight inspiring collaborations with...

Partners for Wildlife is thrilled to welcome Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research's Clinic Director, Andrea Howey-Newcomb, along with Marian Quinn, the Clinic Outreach and Oil Programs Core Team Volunteer, and Maryanne Yingst, the Volunteer Coordinator and Downstate Delaware Field Response.

In this two-part discussion, our guests and host, Gail Buhl, dive into the system Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research developed for training vo...

Partners for Wildlife is excited to continue our conversation with Brittany Turner, the Rehabilitation Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. In the second half of their two-part conversation, Turner and host Gail Buhl talk about baby pigeons and doves, providing tips and tricks for their care based on their natural history!

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Min...

Partners for Wildlife is excited to welcome back Brittany Turner, the Rehabilitation Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, to the show. In this two-part discussion, Turner and host Gail Buhl explore the natural history of pigeons and doves. The conversation will continue in episode 7, where they will discuss baby pigeons and doves and their care.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at...