IWRC Member Spotlight: Karen Gosse

Karen Gosse Tell us a little about yourself: I am the founder and director of The Rock Wildlife Rescue in Torbay, Newfoundland. With a family deeply involved in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, my three children and I have dedicated our lives to this cause. My journey began with over 30 years of experience in domestic animal rescue before transitioning to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in 2017. My commitment to wildlife care deepened through numerous volunteering and training missions in Central America, where I worked alongside wildlife veterinarians. These experiences, encompassing a vast range of species from seabirds, songbirds, birds of...

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Five Ways to Help Wildlife

Climate change, overpopulation, loss of wild spaces; turn anywhere today and you will find multiple sources telling you just how much trouble our wildlife is in. With so many challenges it’s easy to feel hopeless. But don’t give up! Time and time again real change has been executed by people and communities making small changes. Here are just a few ways that you can do something to help wildlife. 1. Add Your Voice – Many conservation and wildlife groups keep track of changes to laws and rules surrounding native spaces and wildlife. You can sign up for notifications from these...

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IWRC Member Spotlight: Michael O’Malley

Michael O’Malley Tell us a little about yourself: I am the Executive Director of Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge (Cedar Run) in Medford, NJ. Cedar Run is a 501(c)(3) environmental non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation, and rehabilitation. As an organization, our vision is that the treatment and rehabilitation services that Cedar Run provides to injured and/or orphaned wildlife in New Jersey serve to educate, inspire, and instill a sense of stewardship in youth and residents throughout the region, leading to increased protection of our natural resources. I am responsible for...

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Elise Gundlach

Incoming Board Member Spotlight How did you initially become involved with IWRC and why did you choose to become involved on a board level? I first heard about the IWRC while working as an intern at Wildlife Center of Virginia. There I learned about the Basics class, some of the book materials, and what the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator exam was. After that, I got my CWR and supervised a Practicum for the interns at WildCare Oklahoma. Education was something my grandparents really instilled in my family and in turn fostered my love for teaching and learning. With IWRC being one...

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How to Respect Wildlife

Wildlife is all around us. Whether we are in our garden, a park, or the center of a metropolitan area, more often than not there are animals around us that we never notice. As human populations grow we take up more space, space also used by wild animals. Every day, there are many human wildlife interactions across the globe. It’s good to know how you can appropriately respond when you come across a wild animal going about its natural behaviors. Give the animal space – If you can, gently move away from the animal so that it can continue on...

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IWRC Member Spotlight: Maryrose Carson

Maryrose Carson, 2023 Helene Van Doninck Scholarship Recipient Tell us a little about yourself: I have always had a love of all animals, domestic and wild. I used to do a lot of photography of wildlife while out on walks and hikes. A few years ago I came across my first opportunity for a wildlife rescue and I’ve been hooked ever since. I work full-time as a shop manager and journeyman welder as well as a couple of other part-time jobs. I am not sure how I fit it in, but when duty calls for a wildlife transport, I’m there...

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IWRC Member Spotlight: Michelle Watson

Michelle Watson CWR Tell us a little about yourself: After working for nearly 16 years in the field of wildlife rehabilitation, I have been offered the opportunity to establish my own center under the banner of the Kogelberg Biosphere in this stunning part of the Western Cape. My dream has always been to run a training hospital similar to the Wildlife Centre of Virginia, where rehabbers and wildlife vets can gain experience and qualify as Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators with the IWRC. Thankfully, the local municipality recognizes the need for a center in this area and has provided us with a...

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