Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue to Release

We continue our series on what’s going on behind the scenes at Partners For Wildlife with Chad Caruthers, the Partnership and Community Engagement Coordinator. In this episode, we learn about P4W’s public outreach initiatives, what is currently in the works, and plans for the future. Special thanks to our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:Partners for WildlifeSubscribe to PACE's Substack here

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 our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:About WRKEWRKE sign-up formFrom a logged-in VIN account to WRKE

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 discuss how Wild Alert functions at the state level, describe the individual user experience, and outline their future goals for the system.Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:https://wildalert.org/www.wildneighborsdp.orghttps://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/whispersInterested in learning more about WRMD?

“Every single wildlife rehabilitator is important, big or small…” - Rachel AvillaIn 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 Pandit, a One Health epidemiologist. They discuss what Wild Alert is, what it does, and the projects they are currently working on. In the next episode, they take a deeper dive into how the system is used.Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:https://wildalert.org/www.wildneighborsdp.org

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 RefugeThe Rehabilitation and Captive Care of Insectivorous Bats

In the first part of this two-parter, we speak with Dianne Odegard and Lee Mackenzie, the founders of Austin Bat Refuge. We hear recent rescue stories, and learn about radar projects, Free-tailed bats, and how Austin became known as “bat city”. 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

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 Symposium takes place February 24–28 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To learn more about the symposium, please see the links below. Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:NWRA's 2026 SymposiumNWRA website

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 part two, we dive into the other resources NWRA offers. NWRA’s 2026 Symposium takes place February 24–28 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To learn more about the symposium, please see the links below. Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:NWRA's 2026 SymposiumNWRA website

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 College of Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:IWRC coursesBecome an IWRC memberAbout WRKEWRKE new user registration form

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 Medicine.Resources mentioned:IWRC

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. Duerr, Laurie J. Gage Passerine Fundamentals by Veronica BowersSongbird Diet Index by Marcy Rule

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 Rebecca S. Duerr, Laurie J. Gage Passerine Fundamentals Written by Veronica Bowers

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 Veterinary Medicine.Resources mentioned:Dr. Susan G. Friedman – Behavior WorksNWRA – Education and ProgramsIAATE – ConferencesKen Ramirez – Clicker TrainingNatural EncountersBarbara Heidenreich – Force Free Animal TrainingCassie Malina – Awesome Animal SolutionsABMA

In the first part of a two-part conversation, we discuss the significance of 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 Veterinary Medicine.

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 Turtles: Maximizing Health & Territory – NWCCDebbie Sykes: Eastern Box Turtle Patient’s Needs – NWCC

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 presentations: NWRA Presentation: Soft Release of Rehabilitated Eastern Box Turtles: Maximizing Health & Territory – NWCCDebbie Sykes: Eastern Box Turtle Patient’s Needs – NWCC