But it is also a dangerous, long-lasting poison that lingers in soil, disperses widely through air, and accumulates up the food chain. The once insouciant use of the pesticide in the United States signed the death warrant for untold numbers of birds and undermined the reproductive systems of countless more, such as bald eagles, which were pushed close to extinction. That public health superseded environmental concerns underscores the need to intensify efforts to implement less insidious alternatives. Almost four decades after Rachel Carson sounded her clarion call about the alarming power of this pesticide in Silent Spring, DDT is still very much with us. By getting hands-on experience, novices will not only learn how to care for compromised animals but also figure out whether they have what it takes to continue in this field.
Wildlife rehabilitation requires more than concern for animal welfare.
People in this line of work must have appropriate state and federal permits to handle nongame species. They often receive no payment for what they do. Indeed, these Good Samaritans often dig deep into their own pockets for food, medicine, cages, and other supplies. The work also requires a huge investment of time. Email us your questions.