Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

A Little History

Established and incorporated as Bidwell Nature Center/Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (BWRC) in 1974, the group has operated non-stop caring for close to one thousand animals each year. As the rehabilitation portion of our mission expanded, so did the demand on our volunteers and resources, both of which were limited.

Since our primary mission was and still is, the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, BWRC was able to turn over the education portion of our effort and our physical location in Bidwell Park to the Altacal Audubon Society in the early 1980's. Altacal Audubon established what is now known as Chico Creek Nature Center.

What we do and how we do it

The BWRC continues to offer a 24-hour answering and referral service for injured and orphaned California native wildlife for all of Butte County and the north-state area. Educational programs are still available free to interested groups upon request.

BWRC is entirely volunteer-operated. We are a non-profit, independent association whose funding comes solely from membership dues, donations and the support of the Butte County Fish & Game Commission. Local California Department of Fish & Game Wardens and Special Agents of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also support BWRC.

Wildlife rehabilitation is one means of counteracting mans' often adverse effect upon the wild animal populations in our area. Wildlife rehabilitation is the emergency and extended care of numerous wild animal species, some of which are threatened or endangered. The primary goal is, and always will be, to release as soon as possible all wild animals to their native habitat. BWRC maintains a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Permit as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with California Dept. of Fish & Game. Some of our permanent non-releaseable wildlife are used as educational tools for various events.

What can you do to help BWRC?

  • Join BWRC
  • Transport wildlife to and from veterinary clinics
  • Transport raptors to the U.C. Davis Raptor Center
  • Donate towels, bed pads and newspapers (black-and-white print only, please)
  • Donate wildlife food (nut meats, puppy/kitten chow, KMR, Esbilac, Tiny Tiger, etc.)
  • Care for wildlife until it is ready to be released (all members work out of their own homes-there is no physical location for BWRC)

What do you do if you find injured or orphaned wildlife?

  • Call for advice before picking up wildlife- Hot Line: (530) 343-9004
  • Native wildlife does the best in its natural environment
  • If an animal is "bright eyed and bushy tailed", it probably does not need to be "rescued"! If it is in harm's way, place it in dense shrubbery, back in its nest, back on a tree branch or other suitable location.
  • Young birds of all species often leave the nest long before they can fly (fledglings) and the parent birds will feed them wherever they may happen to be.
  • It is normal for hawks and owls to be on the ground while learning to fly and hunt. Leave them alone.
  • Deer leave their young fawns "parked" in cover for long periods of time. Wildlife almost never abandon their young. If you find a fawn, leave the area immediately so the parent can return. Only rescue when the mother is confirmed dead. Jack rabbits and cottontails do much the same. Do not take baby jack rabbits!
  • Do not take wild animals away from their parents!
  • If you do feel that an animal needs to be rescued, place small birds and mammals in a large brown grocery bag with soft papers or towel in the bottom. Secure the top. Cardboard boxes appropriate to the size of the animal also work. Cut vertical slits and secure the top well. Large sick or injured wildlife generally should not be handled. Call animal control or the appropriate agency.
  • Never attempt to feed or water birds or animals without first checking with a trained wildlife rehabilitation volunteer.
  • Resist the urge to make pets of young wildlife. There are strict federal, state and local laws against keeping wildlife as pets. They may also carry diseases.

And to wrap up

Often when wildlife is rescued, it will die. If not initially, later when released. It is difficult to raise wildlife on a proper diet, train it to hunt on its own and find its natural food upon release. Always talk to the experts when dealing with wildlife...call someone who knows.

Remember, with native wildlife..."Often the best thing to do...is nothing at all."

Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation
P. O. Box 4005
Chico, CA 95927
Contact: Marilyn Gamette
Hot Line: (530) 343-9004

From the Spring 2001 issue of Environmental News