We’re Hiring! Positions available:
Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager (Hawaiʻi Island), Facility Maintenance Technician (Hawaiʻi Island)

Hawai‘i Wildlife Center

Hawai‘i Wildlife Center

Providing emergency response, medical and rehabilitative care for native birds and bats statewide, alongside conservation programs that aim to create a community where native wildlife thrive.

Wheels for Wildlife Team

Volunteer drivers provide ground transport for wildlife patients

Program Summary

Founded in 2012, the Wheels for Wildlife (W4W) Program is a volunteer-based transport team that expedites the response process for wildlife needing medical treatment and rehabilitative care. All species of native birds and the Hawaiian hoary bat are transported and volunteers on all islands are welcomed to join.

There is no pressure or requirement to carry out transports. When we need a transport, we put out the call to our W4W volunteers to see who is up for the mission. If you’re unavailable, no worries! We will move on to the next volunteer for that transport.

Tasks

Wheels for Wildlife Volunteers are asked to assist us in the following ways:

  1. Transport an injured native bird to HWC or to a Rescue Partner

We may ask you to meet up with the person who found the injured bird or have you transport the bird between Rescue Partners. In most cases the bird will already be prepped for transport upon pickup. Occasionally volunteers may need to assist in catching up a bird. You will be notified beforehand what the rescue involves and given the opportunity to decline if it is something you’re not comfortable with assisting.

  1. Airport Pick-up/Drop-off

You may be asked to pick-up or drop-off bird at the airport for inter-island travel. The bird will be in a carrier and you will be given specific airport and flight instructions.

Note: HWC possesses the permits necessary to legally transport native birds. You will be given copies of these permits upon acceptance into the program. We will also provide you with a packet of information and instructions for getting the bird safely to its destination. 

Volunteer Training and Regulations

W4W volunteers are individuals with diverse backgrounds, from biologists to conservation-minded community members. Volunteers keep in contact with HWC staff during the transport process as clear communication is critical for a smooth transition from transport into rehabilitation or from transport to release.

W4W volunteers receive training on:

  • animal handling safety
  • patient stress reduction
  • Dept. of Agriculture inspection procedure
  • flight on-boarding procedure

 

Ready to Join the Team?

Sign up Here

 

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