What occurs to injured or orphaned wildlife in Alabama when the handful of state licensed volunteer rehabilitation facilities are full? Sadly, the animals are nearly at all times euthanized.
Now the nonprofit Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Society is hoping the state’s Division of Conservation, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries that oversees allowing these amenities will grant them a gathering and make adjustments to the best way they handle the state’s volunteer wildlife rehab facilities.
The group began a petition on-line that already has greater than 11,000 signatures, demanding a gathering to discover methods the state may tweak this system and permit extra prepared volunteers to step in and supply look after these native species.
Michael Shehan serves because the president of the group and mentioned they fashioned out of desperation after the final 10 years of permits being pulled and new permits being denied.
“Individuals are ignored, and they don’t seem to be responded to,” Shehan advised WAAY 31 on Wednesday.
At the moment, there are solely 13 permitted rehab facilities in the complete state, and a few solely serve birds or deer. There are presently solely three amenities taking in mammals like skunks and racoons, however Shehan mentioned they’re already at capability. These mammals are thought of Rabies Vector Species, and permits are closely regulated.
In 2014, there have been greater than 100 licensed wildlife rescues/rehabilitators, however Shehan mentioned the state started pulling permits with no clear rationalization.
“There must be extra rehabilitators allowed within the state, and they should streamline it and make it the place individuals can entry the applying,” Shehan mentioned.
Proper now, the nonprofit is asking for a gathering with state wildlife managers to ascertain new standards for non-releasable wildlife, offering one other choice to the present euthanasia protocols in place.
Shehan mentioned due to the shortage of choices, a whole lot of untamed animals are being taken in and cared for by unlicensed and untrained individuals. He calls it the underground rehab motion.
“When individuals discover these animals and might’t discover a rehabilitator to take them, then persons are not merciless. They’re going to attempt to assist the animal. Then you may have untrained individuals in harmful conditions,” Shehan mentioned.
This group is hoping that state officers will hear them out and make some adjustments to permit for extra volunteers to turn into licensed to deal with these creatures. Their group will journey Saturday to Eufaula on the Lake Level Lodge to attend and handle the state’s Conservation Advisory Board members.
The Division of Conservation, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries responded Wednesday afternoon to WAAY 31’s request for an interview, saying they weren’t accessible this week however did direct our newsroom to the FAQ part of their web site.