Rehabilitated Wildlife

There were over 25,000 animal related car accidents reported in Illinois alone in 2009, which does not account for all minor collisions with wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, and opossums that are unreported. Thousands of other animals are injured in Illinois due to man related accidents like bird collisions with airplanes, buildings, and automobiles. Many wildlife accidents that are nonfatal result in the animals being captured by rehabilitators or other concerned citizens who transport the injured animals to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. The healing process can take as little as several days to several years depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the wounds. Most rehabilitated animals are released back into the wild, however those that are unable to be released due to debilitating injuries are placed in permanent homes at nature, wildlife, and rehabilitation centers, as well as zoos.

The objective of this project is to educate people about how important wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education is to sustaining healthy wildlife populations in Illinois and worldwide. My ambition in producing this work is to promote awareness on how beneficial wildlife rehabilitation is to the general public because anyone can get involved by visiting, donating to, or volunteering at nature, rehabilitation or wildlife centers. Rehabilitators, naturalists, volunteers, and the like are dedicated individuals involved in spreading knowledge about conservation in order to continue bettering the lives of injured wildlife and humans worldwide. Animal rights activism is an essential aspect of this project and the promotion of its beliefs are necessary for continuing to sustain the equilibrium between man and the rest of Earth’s living creatures.