Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions.pdf

Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions This authorization is subject to the conditions listed below. 1. DEFINITIONS: In this authorization, “Act” means the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions – April 2022 “authorized wildl...

Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions This authorization is subject to the conditions listed below. 1. DEFINITIONS: In this authorization, “Act” means the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions – April 2022 “authorized wildlife” means the species listed in this authorization. “euthanasia” means to take away life for a humane purpose, and is the induction of death with minimal pain, stress or anxiety, and “euthanize” has a corresponding meaning. “facility” means a building or part of a building which is used for wildlife rehabilitation or care. “foster care giver” means a wildlife assistant who acts as an agent of the wildlife custodian by providing rehabilitation or care of wildlife on the foster care giver’s own premises. “game wildlife” as defined in the FWCA means, furbearing mammals (Schedule 1), game amphibians (Schedule 5), game birds (Schedule 3), game mammals (Schedule 2), or game reptiles (Schedule 4). “immature” means a specimen that cannot reasonably survive in the wild without significant parental care due to its early stage of development. “licensed veterinarian” means a veterinarian who holds a current licence with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario. “medical treatment” means any diagnostic or prognostic procedure, administration of or prescription for medication, and any anesthesia of, or surgery on, wildlife and must be done in accordance with the Veterinarians Act, 1990. “rehabilitation or care” means the keeping of injured, sick or immature wildlife in captivity on a temporary basis to restore or effectively condition the wildlife so it can be successfully returned to the wild and may include medical treatment conducted by a licensed veterinarian. “SARO list” means Species at Risk in Ontario List. “specially protected wildlife” as defined in the FWCA means, specially protected amphibians (Schedule 10), specially protected birds (raptors)(Schedule 7), specially protected birds (Schedule 8), specially protected invertebrates (Schedule 11), specially protected mammals (Schedule 6) or specially protected reptiles (Schedule 9). “wildlife assistant” means any person, including an agent, employee or volunteer, who assists a Wildlife Custodian in the rehabilitation or care of wildlife or in the management of the rehabilitation facility, but does not include a licensed veterinarian. WILDLIFE THAT MAY BE KEPT Wildlife Custodian Authorization Standard Conditions – April 2022 2. The wildlife custodian shall only provide rehabilitation or care to authorized wildlife. The District Supervisor may amend this authorization by adding, in writing, additional species to the list of authorized wildlife. 3. The wildlife custodian shall only provide rehabilitation or care to a specimen of authorized wildlife that has a reasonable chance of surviving in the wild following its rehabilitation or care. 4. Without the prior written approval of the District Supervisor the wildlife custodian shall not accept or provide rehabilitation or care to game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that has been transported into Ontario. 5. The wildlife custodian shall only keep specimens of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that are not authorized wildlife for the purpose of, 1. (a) performing euthanasia or stabilizing treatment; or 2. (b) transporting the wildlife to another wildlife custodian or a licensed veterinarian. If the wildlife cannot be transported to an authorized facility within 96 hours, it may be humanely euthanized unless otherwise directed by the District Supervisor. 6. The wildlife custodian shall notify, (a) [email protected] with the species, location and date of capture, and their name and authorization number, within one working day of receiving a specimen that is listed as endangered or threatened on the SARO list; or (b) the appropriate reporting office, within one week of receiving a specimen of wildlife that is marked or banded. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF OPERATION 7. Specimens of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that are incapable of surviving in the wild, including those that have been human habituated or imprinted, may be humanely euthanized. 8. The wildlife custodian is responsible for all activities carried out under this authorization including those carried out by wildlife assistants. 9. The wildlife custodian shall submit to the District Supervisor an executed Foster Care Agreement for each foster care giver within 48 hours of the foster care giver first receiving game wildlife or specially protected wildlife for care and treatment. 10. The wildlife custodian shall not display game wildlife or specially protected wildlife kept under their authorization to the public, unless approved by the District Supervisor. 11. The wildlife custodian shall not permit game wildlife or specially protected wildlife kept under their authorization, (a) to become imprinted or habituated to animals of a different species, including humans or domestic animals; or (b) to have physical or direct visual contact with domestic or non-native animals kept on the premises. 12. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that all rehabilitation facilities under their authorization are equipped with all necessary equipment, including medical supplies and housing, to appropriately keep and handle authorized wildlife. 13. The wildlife custodian shall not keep a specimen of authorized wildlife in captivity for a period in excess of twelve months unless approved by the District Supervisor. 14. The wildlife custodian shall display this authorization prominently in the rehabilitation facility. MEDICAL TREATMENT AND DISEASE PREVENTION 15. The wildlife custodian shall (a) consult, as necessary, with a licensed veterinarian to ensure that proper care or treatment is provided to the wildlife and (b) have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), as described in Professional Practice Standards established by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO), with a licensed veterinarian. 16. The wildlife custodian shall (a) provide a separate housing area for isolation and quarantine of wildlife that is infectious and take appropriate quarantine measures to prevent the spread of disease; and (b) only provide rehabilitation or care to wildlife that are not displaying symptoms of distemper or rabies. Any wildlife kept in captivity by the wildlife custodian that are displaying symptoms that are consistent with a diagnosis of distemper or rabies shall be humanely euthanized. 17. (a) The wildlife custodian shall not keep specimens of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife in the same cage or enclosure unless; i. they are the same species; and ii. all specimens were captured within the allowable release distance from each other. (b) Despite condition 17(a)(ii), conspecific immature mammals other than raccoon, striped skunk, arctic fox, gray fox, red fox, and species listed in Appendix A may be kept in the same enclosure regardless of point of origin in accordance with the following requirements: i. All specimens must be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days in order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or for a shorter quarantine period if approved in writing for a specific species by the District Supervisor where there is scientific consensus regarding the incubation period of the virus in that species. Conspecific mammals may be quarantined together subject to the following: I. The quarantine period must restart for all animals quarantined together if clinical signs are identified in the quarantine group; and II. The quarantine period must restart for all animals quarantined together when a new animal is added to the quarantine group. ii. For greater clarity, each specimen must be uniquely identifiable as required under condition 27(i). 18. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that wildlife kept under their authorization cannot physically contact other wildlife held at their facility, except where conspecifics are housed together for socialization purposes. NUTRITION AND HOUSING REQUIREMENTS 19. The wildlife custodian shall read and be familiar with the most recent edition of the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation prepared by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association as these represent the standards established by the wildlife rehabilitation profession for the rehabilitation of wildlife. These standards are available at https://theiwrc.org/resources/guidelines-for-wildlife-rehabilitation. 20. The wildlife custodian shall ensure food and water is provided at the appropriate time to game wildlife and specially protected wildlife kept under their authorization. It shall be nutritious, palatable and of the quantity required, taking into consideration the species, its size, condition and age. 21. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that the housing and materials used to house authorized wildlife are appropriate taking into consideration the species, its size, condition and age. 22. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that the game wildlife or specially protected wildlife kept under their authorization is not housed in a portion of a property that is being used as a dwelling. TRANSPORT 23. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that game wildlife and specially protected wildlife is transported safely. 24. The wildlife custodian shall not, without prior approval of the District Supervisor, transport or otherwise relocate from the facility, game wildlife or specially protected wildlife to another place where wildlife is kept in captivity, except another wildlife custodian, a foster care giver, or a licensed veterinarian. HANDLING OF DEAD WILDLIFE 25. The custodian shall contact the District Supervisor for direction on the final disposition of the carcass of any specimen of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife if it appears that the specimen, (a) died of a contagious disease that leads the wildlife custodian to believe that special protocols should be followed when disposing of the carcass; or (b) died of a known or unknown cause that the wildlife custodian believes may be potentially damaging to wild native wildlife populations. 26. The wildlife custodian may dispose of a carcass of any game wildlife or specially protected wildlife where there is no concern about contagion or unknown cause of symptoms or death. RECORD KEEPING 27. The wildlife custodian shall ensure that all game wildlife and specially protected wildlife received at the facility are made identifiable in a humane manner as follows: i. Individual specimens must be made uniquely identifiable in the facility during the period of its captivity; or ii. in the case of conspecific specimens housed together based on allowable release distances, other than species listed in Appendix A, the group of specimens housed together may be identified as a group, such as by using common markings or by clearly marking the enclosure that houses the animals. Where common markings are used, the group must be identifiable from other groups of specimens or individuals. 28. The wildlife custodian shall keep a log book in either the format provided by the Ministry or as otherwise approved by the District Supervisor that contains a record of all game wildlife and specially protected wildlife received in the facility, whether alive or dead, regardless of the length of time it is kept. This log book shall be true and accurate, and include the following information: a) Authorization number and name of holder; b) the case number; c) the date it entered the wildlife custodian’s rehabilitation or care; d) the species, its lifestage (e.g., immature, adult), and estimated age; e) a description of the unique temporary marker; f) adescriptionofhowitisuniquelyidentifiableinthefacility; g) the name, address, and phone number of the person who delivered it to the facility; h) the date and specific location of its capture; i) the reason it was brought to the wildlife custodian; and j) the date of its death, if applicable, and the date, manner and location of its disposition. 29. The log book shall be updated within 24 hours of any event required to be recorded in the log book, or as soon as reasonably possible. 30. The custodian shall keep all log books kept under this or previous authorizations for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the last recorded entry in the log. 31. The wildlife custodian shall maintain a registry of all wildlife assistants at the rehabilitation facility, including: a) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all wildlife assistants associated with the facility; b) c) the species each wildlife assistant has been trained to handle; and the training each wildlife assistant has received in rehabilitation or care. 32. report for each calendar year by January 31st of the next year. This annual wildlife rehabilitation report shall be in a format provided by the Ministry and shall include at least the following information and any additional information required by the format of the report: The wildlife custodian shall submit to the District Supervisor an annual wildlife rehabilitation a) The species and number of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife kept during the year; b) Their disposition; and c) Any information about disease or parasites that the custodian believes should be recorded for future provincial trend analysis. RELEASE 33. The wildlife custodian shall comply with any direction from the District Supervisor regarding permanent marking of game wildlife or specially protected wildlife prior to release. The permanent marking code will be recorded in the log book. 34. The wildlife custodian shall comply with wildlife disease management measures in a designated wildlife disease control and surveillance zone. 35. All rehabilitated game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that was an adult when originally captured shall be released as close as possible to the site of original capture up to a maximum of one kilometre away, and in similar habitat when possible. 36. All rehabilitated game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that was immature when originally captured shall be released as close as possible to the site of original capture up to a maximum of fifteen kilometres away, and in similar habitat when possible. 37. (a) Conditions 17(a) ii, 35, and 36 do not apply to a wildlife custodian in respect of a species listed in Appendix A if the wildlife custodian receives prior written approval from the District Supervisor in respect of the condition(s). (b) The written approval under condition 37(a) must clearly describe the requirements including, at a minimum: i. The specific conditions that do not apply; ii. The species the approval applies to; iii. If the approval relates to condition 17(a)(ii), any requirements related to the housing of the animals; iv. If the approval relates to conditions 35 or 36, the release location, and timing of release; and v. Any other conditions or limitations that apply. (c) The custodian shall house and release animals in accordance with the written approval under condition 37(a). (d) Where a written approval under condition 37(a) provides an exemption from the requirements of condition 17(a)(ii) in respect of a species of mammal, all specimens must be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days in order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in mammals, or for a shorter quarantine period if provided for the species in the approval where there is scientific consensus regarding the incubation period of the virus in that species. Conspecific mammals may be quarantined together subject to the following: i. The quarantine period must restart for all animals quarantined together if clinical signs are identified in the quarantine group; and ii. The quarantine period must restart for all animals quarantined together when a new animal is added to the quarantine group.38. A wildlife custodian shall not release game wildlife or specially protected wildlife on private property without first obtaining the permission of the owner. 38. A wildlife custodian shall not release game wildlife or specially protected wildlife on private property without first obtaining the permission of the owner. ADDITIONAL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) 39. To prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (responsible for COVID-19) this Authorization is subject to the following requirements. a) A copy of the most recent version of “Wildlife and SARS-CoV-2: Handling Guidelines” by Environment and Climate Change Canada must be available and accessible to all persons handling mammals under this Authorization. b) The number of people within 2 metres of live mammals shall be minimized to only those who are providing an essential role in the handling of the live mammals. c) A well-fitted face mask shall always be worn by people within 2 metres of live mammals; the mask must cover both the mouth and nose of the person. Face masks must meet the guidelines provided by Ontario’s Ministry of Health. d) Nitrile or latex gloves shall be worn for direct contact with live mammals. Gloves must be changed if they become soiled or contaminated. e) Equipment alternatives shall be considered for activities that pose a high risk of transmission. For example, small air blowers, puffers, blunt-ended dissecting scissors, or empty wash bottles with a fine nozzle may be used to check for parasites instead of a person using their mouth to blow air on live mammals. Appendix A Bear, Black (Ursus americanus) Deer, White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) Moose (Alces alces) Caribou, Woodland (Rangifer tarandus caribou) Elk, American (Cervus elaphus) Wolf (Canis lupus) Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Wolverine (Gulo gulo) Specially Protected Raptors Specially Protected Bats