15th Annual Call of the Wild Conference on Wildlife Rehabilitation

November 13-14, 2010

The Wildlife Center of Virginia invites you to the fifteenth annual Call of the Wild conference on wildlife rehabilitation.  Wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary professionals, wildlife biologists, environmental educators, and wildlife enthusiasts from Virginia and beyond will share ideas and knowledge that can benefit wildlife, the environment, and the continually evolving field of wildlife rehabilitation. 

The conference is sponsored by The Wildlife Center of Virginia, the nation’s leading teaching and research hospital for native wildlife, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

From first-time conference attendees to seasoned veterans, Call of the Wild 2010 has something for you.  We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting event!

Registration opens on September 13th!

Saturday’s schedule

7:45 am – 8:45 am – Registration

 8:45 am – 9:00 am – Opening Remarks

Session 1 – 9:15 am – 10:45 am

A.  The Gulf Oil Spill:  Lessons Learned and Lessons Lost

Ed Clark, Wildlife Center of Virginia

B.  Growing Up Wild:  Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Orphaned Mammal Care

Anne Miller, Alabama Wildlife Center

Session 2 – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

A.   Bats:  Catastrophe, Conservation, and Care 

Leslie Sturges, Bat World NOVA

B.  Embracing the Challenge in Challenging Birds

Joanna Weitzel, Carolina Wildlife Care

LUNCH & NETWORKING – 12:30 pm  - 1:30 pm

Session 3 – 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm

A.  Answering the Call of the Wild:  A Wildlife Hotline Resource Manual in Action

Erin Luther, Toronto Wildlife Centre, ON

B. Captive Husbandry and Emergency Medical Care of the Eastern Box Turtle

Sandy Barnett, Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society, MD

Session 4 – 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

A.  Better Records, Better Rehab:  A Newly Designed Computerized Patient Management System for Wildlife Rehabilitators

Dave McRuer, MSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVPM, Wild- life Center of Virginia

B. Teaching the Fledgling Human

Suzanne McBride, Wild at Heart Rehabilitation, VA

Sunday’s schedule

7:45 am – 8:30 am – Registration

Session 1 – 8:30 am – 9:30 am

A.  This End Up:  An Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation (Part I)

Suzanne Doell, Wildlife Center of Virginia

B.  Tips and Techniques for Starting and Running a Wildlife Rescue Program

Nathalie Karvonen, Toronto Wildlife Centre

Session 2 – 9:45 am – 10:45 am

A.  This End Up:  An Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation (Part II)

Suzanne Doell, Wildlife Center of Virginia

B.  Saving Lives with a Little Natural History:  The Case of the Red Fox

Valerie Ackerman,  Wilderness Wildlife Rehabilitation, VA

Session 3 – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

A. Who Let the Cats Out?

Linda Cherkassky, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, NJ

B. Fight the Urge to Feed:  Raptor Emaciation and Nutrition

Kelly Flaminio, DVM, Wildlife Center of Virginia

LUNCH & NETWORKING – 12:30 pm  - 1:30 pm

Session 4 – 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm

A.  Living with Black Bears

Jaime Sajecki, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

B. What Is This and What Should I Do About It?  An Interactive Case Discussion

Miranda Sadar, DVM, Wildlife Center of Virginia

Session 5 – 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm  

A. Chronic Wasting Disease in Virginia:  Old News, New Challenges

Nelson Lafon, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

B.  Meeting Wildlife Dietary Needs with Native Plants

Michael Lachance, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Fun and Social Events

Wildlife Center Tour – Friday 4 pm

Tour the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a hospital for native wildlife. Located in Waynesboro, the Center is just a few minutes away from the Best Western.  Participants will need to provide their own transportation to the WCV; plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before tour time. Reservations are required (on conference registration form).

 Welcome Reception – Friday 8 pm

Join us in the pre-function area of the Best Western for drinks, desserts, and the opportunity to mingle with conference participants.  Early check-in at registration table. 

Lodging 

The conference will be held at Best Western Inn & Suites Conference Center in Waynesboro, VA, conveniently located off of Interstate 64 at Exit 94.  The Best Western offers spacious non-smoking rooms with wireless internet access, cable satellite television, an in-room coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator.  This pet-friendly hotel features an array of amenities including a complimentary hot breakfast buffet, an indoor heated saltwater pool, and a fitness center.  Many local restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel. 

Registrations & pre-payment must be made through the Best Western.  To reserve a room, please call the hotel  directly at:   540-942-1100.   When making reservations, mention that you are attending the Wildlife Center of Virginia conference to receive the special conference rate of just $89/night.   Price and availability is guaranteed through October 16, so be sure to make your reservations early!

To cut costs, share accommodations!  If you need help in locating a roommate, please contact The Wildlife Center of Virginia at outreach@wildlifecenter.org or 540-942-9453.

Meals at the Conference:

The conference registration fee includes lunch catered by a local company featuring both vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees as well as side dishes and desserts.  Please note that we will not be serving breakfast at the conference, but hotel guests may enjoy the complimentary hot breakfast buffet.  Accompanying guests who are not registered for the conference may join conference participants for lunch, but must pay a meal fee ($14/day).