In the second part of a two-part conversation, we dive into operant learning, definitions, and concepts related to working with ambassador animals with Melissa Moore, the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Ambassador Animals at the St. Louis Aquarium, and Jackie Kozlowski, the Senior Trainer at Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Resources mentioned: Dr. Susan G. Friedman – B...
May 02, 2025•57 min
In the first part of a two-part conversation, we discuss the significance of ambassador animals with Melissa Moore, the Curator of Behavioral Husbandry and Ambassador Animals at the St. Louis Aquarium, and Jackie Kozlowski, the Senior Trainer at Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
Apr 11, 2025•42 min
In this episode, we continue our discussion on Eastern Box Turtles with Debbie Sykes, the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation. We explore common injuries, care processes, behaviors, and criteria for release. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Links to referenced presentations: NWRA Presentation: Soft Release of Rehabilitated Eastern Box Turtles: Maximizing Health & Territory – NWCC Debbie Sykes:...
Mar 28, 2025•53 min
Partners for Wildlife welcomes Debbie Sykes, the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation, to the show! In this two-part conversation, we dive into natural history, common injuries, and care of Eastern Box Turtles. Did you know they’re born the size of a raspberry? We didn’t! Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Links to referenced presentations: NWRA Presentation: Soft Release of Rehabilitated Eastern Box...
Mar 14, 2025•34 min
We continue our conversation with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research's Clinic Director, Andrea Howey-Newcomb, along with Marian Quinn, the Clinic Outreach and Oil Programs Core Team Volunteer, and Maryanne Yingst, the Volunteer Coordinator and Downstate Delaware Field Response. In this episode, the Tri-State team discusses how adult learning theories have shaped the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Method. They highlight inspiring collaborations with other local rescue organizations and share valuable insights an...
Feb 28, 2025
Partners for Wildlife is thrilled to welcome Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research's Clinic Director, Andrea Howey-Newcomb, along with Marian Quinn, the Clinic Outreach and Oil Programs Core Team Volunteer, and Maryanne Yingst, the Volunteer Coordinator and Downstate Delaware Field Response. In this two-part discussion, our guests and host, Gail Buhl, dive into the system Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research developed for training volunteers to rescue and transport birds. We discuss the origins o...
Feb 14, 2025•41 min
Partners for Wildlife is excited to continue our conversation with Brittany Turner, the Rehabilitation Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. In the second half of their two-part conversation, Turner and host Gail Buhl talk about baby pigeons and doves, providing tips and tricks for their care based on their natural history! Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Links: NWRA Standards Book...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Partners for Wildlife is excited to welcome back Brittany Turner, the Rehabilitation Director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, to the show. In this two-part discussion, Turner and host Gail Buhl explore the natural history of pigeons and doves. The conversation will continue in episode 7, where they will discuss baby pigeons and doves and their care. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Lin...
Jan 17, 2025•47 min
Partners for Wildlife returns with Dr. Mark Pokras, a wildlife veterinarian and nationally recognized expert in loon and wildlife medicine. In this episode, Dr. Pokras and host Gail Buhl discuss environmental justice, the importance of working groups, the iNaturalist app, and sentinel species. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Love what you're hearing? Please take a moment to share a rating on your preferr...
Jan 03, 2025•34 min
“The dead teach the living” – Dr. Mark Pokras on the importance of necropsies. Partners for Wildlife welcomes Dr. Mark Pokras, a wildlife veterinarian and nationally renowned expert on loons and wildlife medicine, to the show. Dr. Pokras and host Gail Buhl discuss his career, imposter syndrome, One Health, common loons, loon biology, sentinel species, and forensic pathology. Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicin...
Dec 20, 2024•52 min
“There’s a lot of beauty in just being in the dance” – Sara Cole on wildlife rehabilitation. Partners for Wildlife is excited to welcome back to the show, Sara Cole, a wildlife rehabilitator from Minnesota. Join host Gail Buhl for a discussion about baby squirrels, expressions of gratitude, lessons learned, and advice to new rehabbers. Sara shares her insights, and experiences, describing how “the work calls you to be in community and maybe even in communion with living things in a way that just...
Dec 06, 2024•52 min
Partners for Wildlife is excited to welcome Dr. Katie Haman, the Wildlife Diversity Veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, to the show. Join host Gail Buhl as they explore the concept of One Health. Dr. Haman shares her journey while diving into the interconnectedness of animals, the environment, and humans. They also discuss One Welfare and highlight the essential role that wildlife rehabilitators play as vital contributors to One Health! Special thanks to Partners Fo...
Nov 22, 2024•50 min
“Whatever you think an animal might need, you need too.” – Tiffany Wentz-Root on self-compassion for wildlife rehabilitators. Partners for Wildlife kicks off its fourth season with the second part of our compassion fatigue conversation. Washington state-based mental health therapist Tiffany Wentz-Root joins host Gail Buhl to discuss the impact of trauma, burnout, balance, joy, boundaries, and the power of memes! This episode contains references to restrained eating habits, military service, nega...
Nov 08, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Host Gail Buhl welcomes Washington state based mental health therapist Tiffany Wentz-Root to the podcast to discuss self-care for wildlife rehabilitators. This is Part 1 of 2. In Part 1, Tiffany explains her origin story, which includes serving in Iraq for the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003. Tiffany goes on to reveal some of her own past struggles with mental health, how that experience led to her interest in becoming a mental health provider, and how she draws on her experiences to cultivate greater...
Jun 13, 2024•24 min
Host Gail Buhl is back for Part 2 of her in-depth discussion with Minnesota-based wildlife veterinarian Dr. Miranda Torkelson on the medical management of fox. In this episode, Gail and Dr. Miranda touch on topics ranging from the treatment of mange and other parasites to diets, handler safety, housing, and preparation for release. Dr. Miranda urges listeners not to attempt to treat wild fox outside of the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Dr. Torkelson was very gracious and if you have any q...
Jun 01, 2024•41 min
Gail Buhl welcomes wildlife veterinarian Dr. Miranda Torkelson for a two-part discussion about the medical management of red foxes. Dr. Miranda starts out with some of her origin story, which includes highlights from her ambitious career in wildlife medicine. Later in the episode, Gail and Dr. Miranda cover the basics of red fox natural history as well as perspectives on often well-meaning but ill-informed attempts by members of the public to try to fight the parasite sarcoptic mange. Dr. Mirand...
May 16, 2024•38 min
In episode 9, Gail Buhl welcomes Amanda Nicholson back to the podcast. If you missed Amanda's first appearance on Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue To Release, check out season 2, episode 13. There she talks with Gail about social media best practices in wildlife rehabilitation. Amanda serves as Senior Vice President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. In this episode, she virtually visits Gail to talk about having crucial conversations -- those sometimes difficult or touchy talks we have to ...
May 02, 2024•33 min
Gail Buhl is back with Part 2 of her discussion with Ruby Davis, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Director for the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center. In Part 1, episode 8, Ruby discusses her origin story and the natural history of the striped skunk, a common skunk species in North America. Here in Part 2, Gail and Ruby do a deep dive into the rehabilitation techniques of young skunks in care. That includes feeding, behavior, husbandry, and even how to avoid getting "sprayed." Ruby includes a spra...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Host Gail Buhl welcomes Ruby Davis, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Director for Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center. There, she oversees the center’s rehabilitation, along with the training and mentoring of staff and volunteers.This was an in-depth conversation, so we've divided it into two parts. In part 1, Gail and Ruby cover Ruby's origin story and how she came to enter a long and fulfilling career at the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center. From there, the conversation covers some basic nat...
Apr 04, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Host Gail Buhl is back for a Part 2 with guest Tim Jasinski to talk about the wild fostering of the Canada Goose. In Part 2, Tim and Gail get further into topics such as goose behavior, understanding flocks, gender differences, how goslings develop, and techniques in wild fostering of goslings in their journey to independence. Next episode, Gail welcomes Ruby Davis, wildlife biologist and wildlife rehabilitation director of the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center in North Carolina. Ruby will d...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In episode 5, Gail welcomes back a familiar face --Tim Jasinski, a wildlife rehabilitation specialist at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Bay Village, Ohio. Tim originally appeared on the podcast in Season 1, Episode 19 to discuss one of his passions in wildlife rehabilitation, the Timberdoodle. That first interview with Tim and Gail is well worth going back to take a listen! In this episode, Tim brings with him yet another area of expertise -- wild fostering of the Canada Goose. Not all w...
Mar 07, 2024•54 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Host Gail Buhl is back for Part 2 of the in-depth discussion she had with Deb Galle this past fall about Cottontail Rabbits. Here in Part 2, Deb gets into more of the specifics about how she cares for rabbits after assessment and intake. Those include formulas and food, housing, avoiding imprinting, controlling the environment and her approach to managing rabbit's stress, general husbandry, and the lead up to release. Cottontail Rabbits also make an appearance in Season 1, Episode 14, in which G...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Deborah Galle, a longtime Connecticut-based wildlife rehabilitator joins host Gail Buhl to discuss caring for Eastern Cottontail Rabbits. Deb and Gail get into a lengthy discussion, so we've divided their talk into two parts. Here in Part 1, we learn about Deb's career path, which originally had nothing to do with wildlife. Later Gail poses the common question, "Why rehabilitate rabbits?" This episode also includes a bit about working with finders to better understand what may have happened to t...
Jan 26, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Gail Buhl is back with Part 2 of her in-depth discussion with Dr. John Huckabee on the Art of Wildlife Rehabilitation. Dr. John Huckabee is an icon in the wildlife rehabilitation world in North America. What's clinically best for an animal and what feels best isn't always the same. In this episode, Gail and Dr. John talk about how that plays into the need for adequate self-care and risk of compassion fatigue. You'll hear Gail remind us: when in doubt, always consult with mentors, wildlife rehabi...
Jan 09, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Wildlife Rehabilitation: From Rescue To Release host Gail Buhl is back for a third season! Gail, a Master Level Wildlife Rehabilitator in Minnesota, draws on decades of experience caring for wildlife to connect with guests on a deep, meaningful level, eliciting thought provoking dialogue among fellow peers. That unique ability to draw out the story behind the story comes into play right off the bat in Season 3, Episode 1 - a discussion on the Art of Wildlife Rehabilitation with Dr. John Huckabee...
Dec 30, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In Part-2 of our discussion with Dr. Leslie Reed, a Minnesota-based veterinarian who specializes in wildlife dentistry, we get into more specifics about what good dental care looks like for different species of wild animals and why it's so important to treat pain adequately. Gail and Leslie get into how wildlife rehabilitators can be more effective caregivers through learning dentistry basics and also collaborating with their veterinarian on standard operating procedures for animals that need ca...
Sep 01, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Our host Gail Buhl invited Dr. Leslie Reed on the show to talk about her unusual niche within the wildlife rehabilitation sector -- wildlife dentistry! Animals that have teeth suffer from many of the same problems humans do, such as cavities, chips, decay, and foreign bodies lodged in the gum line. These and many other dental issues can severely affect an animal's quality of life in care and after release, so Leslie draws on her years of experience to help her patients with the best dental outco...
Aug 17, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In Part 2, host Gail Buhl talks more about social media for wildlife rehabilitation settings in Part 2 of an in-depth discussion with Amanda Nicholson, senior vice president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Amanda is one of Gail's go-to gurus for all things social media. This part of their discussion gets into best practices, including avoiding posting content that could jeopardize a wildlife rehabilitator's permit status. It also touches on engaging audiences through livestreaming on platfor...
Aug 03, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Host Gail Buhl caught up with Amanda Nicholson, senior vice president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Amanda has long been their communications and social media guru, and was eager to share some of the things she's learned, having managed the Wildlife Center of Virginia's social media presence since the earlier days of Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Gail and Amanda talk about how and why having a robust, actively managed social media presence can benefit a wildlife organization - both rep...
Jul 21, 2023•57 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Host Gail Buhl caught up with Dr. Michelle Willette of Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Willette shares her expertise on the ever-evolving and sometimes controversial topic of animal welfare. Welfare isn't something we give to an animal, she says, rather it's a state of being that exists with the right inputs and conditions for that animal. Dr. Willette is pursuing a board certification in Animal Welfare, a relatively ...
Jul 07, 2023•58 min•Season 2Ep. 12
