Selection Process for Non–Releasable Birds: The First Step in Bird Welfare

The selection of ambassador animals coming out of wildlife rehabilitation facilities is an evolving process as information grows regarding long–term physical impacts of disabilities on an animal’s quality of life. Ambassador animal welfare traditionally addressed nourishment, length of life, and physical safety while in human care. More facilities are now focusing on cognitive well–being, including examining if individuals are free from pain, fear, and distress as a measure of welfare. And, as more trainers are adopting choice–based training methods using the least number of aversive stimuli possible, candidate selection is the first step in the welfare process. Cascades Raptor Center has developed rigorous criteria for all birds before they are added to our team. Because many of our resident birds are wild–hatched individuals deemed non–releasable by rehabilitation facilities, it became necessary to devise a thorough assessment process. Data collected from wellness monitoring of our current bird collection coupled with over 25 years of comprehensive necropsy reports have provided information indicating that many disabilities that result in non–releasable status also preclude individuals from having a high quality of life in human care. Setting an ambassador animal up for a successful life in human care begins with appropriate, well considered selection.