In this post we spotlight IWRC member the Agamon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (AWRC). This center was established in December 2019 through a collaboration of KKL-JNF and Tel Hai College, led by Yaron Charka the Chief Ornithologist of KKL-JNF and Rona Nadler Valency, wildlife veterinarian and certified wildlife rehabilitator (DVM, CWR), the director of the Rehabilitation Center.
The Center provides a haven for wildlife in Northern Israel. It is located in the Hula Lake Nature and Ornithology Park at the heart of the Hula Valley, which has become one of the most important migratory flyway stopover sites for avian wildlife in the world, and a natural habitat for many endemic mammals and reptiles as well.
Along with academic research and education for nature conservation, AWRC strives to rehabilitate injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals, and provide them with the optimal environment for their successful return to the wild. The temporary facility of the Rehabilitation Center includes an emergency clinic, a nursery, and advanced rehabilitation enclosures. Despite the Center’s current limited capacity for intake and care, it has successfully rehabilitated and released hundreds of wild animals back to nature. They are now looking forward to the completion of our new building in 2024, including a larger, modern clinic enabling more comprehensive treatment procedures, and in which their goals of wildlife care and community engagement can be further realized.
The expansion of their goals include:
● Immediate medical diagnostic assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for wildlife.
● Lead and conduct academic research in the fields of nature conservation and wildlife rehabilitation.
● Implement local community education programs at the Center, to engage the public in wildlife protection and nature conservation.
AWRC has a small professional staff that includes: A wildlife veterinarian, the Director of the AWRC, an operations manager and volunteer coordinator; a head wildlife rehabilitator; two college student wildlife caretakers; researchers conducting their master’s thesis at Tel Hai College; numerous volunteers in various professional and non-professional activities.
They focus on caring for animals, and within their small community, they also ensure care for each other in view of the additional emotional demands of this work and the need to support and protect their well being in the Center, as well as in their personal lives outside.
Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation? Consider becoming a member of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC):
https://theiwrc.org/product-category/membership/
As a member of the IWRC, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources and support!
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