The second annual Irish Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference was held on the weekend of 24th and 25th September 2011 at the Boyne Valley Hotel and Country Club in Drogheda, with speakers, delegates and exhibitors attending from across Ireland, the United Kingdom and as far afield as Canada. The conference consisted of two days of presentations and practical workshops tailored to different audiences with ‘open attendance’ on the Saturday for rehabilitators, conservationists, NPWS employees, members of the public and other interested parties, and a veterinary practitioner’s conference on the Sunday (registered for 7 CVE credits).

John Cooper		James Barnett

There was an impressive line-up of speakers who, without exception, kept their audience engaged, inspired and enthused throughout the two days of the conference. Delegates were able to choose from two strands of practical workshops and presentations, with the basic and advanced schedules running concurrently in order to cater to different levels of wildlife rehabilitation knowledge. On Sunday, presentations were tailored to the audience of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses with a stronger focus on wildlife diseases, injuries, and treatment plans. John and Margaret Cooper also led ‘Treating Wildlife: Why, When and How? The Practical, Legal and Ethical Approach’ - a lively debate where delegates were encouraged to question the ethics and value of wildlife rehabilitation, and the role and responsibility veterinary professionals have, or should have, with regards to treating wildlife casualties.

Les Stocker		Lynn Miller

Lynn Miller, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council President and founder of ‘Le Nichoir’ wild bird rehabilitation centre in Quebec, had travelled all the way from Canada to speak at the conference. Giving presentations on ‘Mammal Rescue and First Aid’, ‘Bird Rescue and First Aid’, and ‘Caring for Orphaned Wildlife’, she captivated her audiences with her knowledge, passion and enthusiasm. Les Stocker, founder of the world-famous St Tiggywinkles wildlife teaching hospital, gave an inspiring presentation entitled ‘Creating a Wildlife Hospital’ to delegates following stream one, whilst John and Margaret Cooper discussed ‘Birds as Casualties: Causes, Care and Rehabilitation’ with stream two. James Barnett (Veterinary Laboratories Agency/British Divers Marine Life Rescue) and Maggie Brown (West Yorkshire Bat Hospital) gave species-specific talks on the topics of seal rescue and rehabilitation and bat rescue, first aid, treatment, and advanced problem solving respectively.

Alan Stewart		John Cooper

Ciaran O’Keeffe (National Parks and Wildlife Service) highlighted the role that the NPWS plays in wildlife rehabilitation and discussed the issues surrounding current legislation and licensing for rehabilitators and veterinary practitioners. Alan Stewart (National Wildlife Crime Unit) delivered a fascinating insight into ‘Wildlife Crime Investigation’ and the ways in which wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary practitioners can aid the work of wildlife crime investigators. By depicting the ways in which the RSPCA are utilizing new technology such as radio tracking devices in order to undertake post-release monitoring of wildlife casualties, Andrew Kelly (RSPCA) reminded us that release is not the end of the story and that it is vital to take a scientific approach to wildlife rehabilitation in order to truly gauge post-release survival and adapt our rehabilitation methods accordingly.

Lynn Miller		James Barnett

On both days delegates participated in an array of interactive workshops including practical sessions relating to mammals, bird and bats, where they learnt capture and restraint techniques, handling and examination skills, how to gavage and inject fluids, and how to bandage or splint broken limbs. A practical marine mammal rescue workshop, using life-sized seal models to demonstrate capture, restraint and examination skills, was run on both days as part of the marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation presentation. On Sunday 25th, veterinary practitioner delegates also had the unique opportunity to observe James Barnett undertaking the post-mortem of a grey seal pup.

John Cooper		Sinead Kelly

During the breaks between presentations, delegates were able to browse information stands, and chat to representatives from a number of organizations including Birdwatch Ireland, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Irish Wildlife Rehabilitation Trust, Irish Seal Sanctuary, The Irish Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, Safe4pets and Bat Conservation Ireland. Alternatively delegates could choose to network and catch up with friends whilst enjoying a coffee and the tempting array of home baked biscuits and scones provided; view photographer Andrew Kelly’s stunning wildlife photography; or purchase tickets for the excellent raffle. In the evenings, delegates were invited to attend entertaining talks, before heading to the bar for continued conversation and craic agus ceol!

Maggie Brown		Maggie Brown

To close each day of the conference, Emma Higgs gave a thought-provoking and inspiring speech during which she gave an over-view of the work being done by the Irish Wildlife Rehabilitation Trust and set out a vision for the future of wildlife rehabilitation in Ireland, encouraging those involved in wildlife rehabilitation as volunteers, professionals or veterinary professionals, to embrace the many opportunities available to them, whether that be by helping to educate the public and their colleagues, pushing for legislative change, contributing to the Irish Wildlife Matters website, or treating wildlife at cost price in their veterinary surgeries.

Blood Red Mountain Band

The conference was extremely well attended and the diversity of the delegates’ wildlife rehabilitation experience and backgrounds made for a particularly stimulating and supportive atmosphere in which to further one’s knowledge, share ideas and network with like-minded people working towards a common goal. Emma, Lilian and their team must be congratulated for their enormous effort and dedication. I know that I am not alone when I say how grateful I am for the opportunity to attend such a well-run, informative event. I look forward to next year!

 

Claire Stares PGCert Biodiversity Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, MA Nature Writing & Ecocriticism, Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator

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