2010 Oiled Wildlife Response Workshop Schedule

The response to our announcement of three oiled wildlife response-training workshops has been overwhelming! We received over 200 emails in less than 24 hours and are continuing to receive many requests hourly. In fact, we have added another workshop for veterinarians and veterinary students from Texas A&M University for Sunday July 18, 2010.

We want to thank the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division for providing the oiled wildlife-washing trailer for the trainings. Thanks to J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ACZM, Clinical Associate Professor, Zoological Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University for her expertise and assistance in the training classes. Thanks to CITGO and Shell Upstream Americas for lunches. We are still seeking sponsors for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

We are sorting emails now and trying to determine the maximum number of participants we can accommodate for this training but there will be a waiting list. We are trying to locate chairs to rent to accommodate more registrants. The Wildlife Rehab & Education Center is providing the labor and resources for the Houston trainings without reimbursement so donations are being accepted but not required. Once we notify you of your confirmation, please give us notice as soon as possible if you cannot attend so we can fill your slot from the waiting list.

Also, please realize that attending this workshop does NOT guarantee that you will be utilized for the current Deepwater Horizon Response. They are not using many volunteers for wildlife retrieval or rehabilitation. In fact, Wildlife Rehab & Education with 26 years experience, 60 oiled wildlife responses in the Gulf of Mexico, 40 hr. and 24 hr. HAZWOPER training and is listed in BP’s Oil Spill Response Plan has been told that the wildlife is under control and WR&E needs to wait in Texas in case oil hits the Texas beaches. They are utilizing wildlife rehabilitation resources from Delaware, California, Oregon, interns from Student Conservation Assoc., etc. but not from Wildlife Rehab & Education in Texas.

The Wildlife Rehab & Education Center cares for over 7000 wild animals every year and always needs volunteers and donations. The number of wild animals and the variety of species especially waterfowl and diving birds that the WR&E Wildlife Center rehabilitates is what makes Wildlife Rehab & Education the premier oiled wildlife response organization for the Gulf coast!

Thanks so much for your response and your interest,

WR&E Wildlife Center announces three more workshops.  

There is no cost for the workshop but space is limited. Please register early by contacting Sharon via email at SharonSchmalz@WRandE.org .

Since 1997, WR&E has presented oiled wildlife response training workshops regularly along the Texas coast. More hands-on training will be provided in the new restructured workshop format.

The Gulf Coast supports large concentrations of wintering waterfowl and is an area for an abundance of nesting waterfowl, shorebirds, and water birds.  An oil spill in this area could affect large numbers of protected migratory birds requiring many trained responders.

Oiled Wildlife Response Workshop Agenda

  9:00 -  9:15      Welcome

  9:15 -  9:30      Wildlife Laws

  9:30 -  9:45      Wildlife Rehabilitation Role in Incident Command System (ICS)

  9:45 – 10:30     Effects of Oil on Wildlife – J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ACZM, Clinical Associate Professor, Zoological Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University

10:30 – 10:45     BREAK

10:45 – 11:15     Effects of Oil on Humans – OSHA Requirements – Sharon Schmalz, WR&E

11:15 – 12:00     Zoonoses – J. Jill Heatley, DVM

12:00 – 12:30     LUNCH            

12:30 – 12:45     Deterrents – Margaret Pickell, WR&E

12:45 -   1:00     Capture & Restraint – J. Jill Heatley, DVM

  1:00 -   1:25     Triage – J. Jill Heatley, DVM

  1:25 -   1:45     Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation – Sharon Schmalz, WR&E

  1:45 -   2:00     PPE Donning/Doffing Demo – Margaret Pickell/Judy Phipps, WR&E

  2:00 -   2:15     BREAK

  2:15 -   2:45     Station I – Washing oiled feather and unoiled live duck

  2:45 -   3:15     Station II – Tour of equipment & facilities

  3:15 -   3:45     Station III – Capture & Restraint and Gavage feeding

  3:45 -   4:00     Aftercare & Release

                       Questions & Answers, Certificates

The Wildlife Center now has the following equipment available upon request during an oiled wildlife response:

A Wildlife Center in Houston, TX with capacity to accommodate over 1000 adult brown pelicans and veterinary medical assistance.

Response equipment that is stored in 8 “push pact” containers that can be trucked or airlifted anywhere for oiled wildlife response, hurricane response or other wildlife emergencies. The containers include over 3000 various sizes of plastic crates/kennels, 44 large cases of towels, paper towels, trash bags, feeding bowls, etc.

A 38 ft. bus with 24 stainless cages and 2 surgery tables with anesthesia machines for staging, triage or transport of oiled animals to the Wildlife Center. The bus has a generator and is air-conditioned.

Current oiled wildlife responses by Wildlife Rehab & Education include the following:

Photos courtesy of Julie Dermansky