TWERA

Tennessee Wildlife Educators

and

Rehabilitators Association

Who Are We?

The Tennessee Wildlife Educators and Rehabilitators Association (TWERA) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the profession of wildlife rehabilitation and educating the public about wildlife. We provide opportunities for training, networking and support for our members. TWERA members are permitted wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife educators, naturalists, veterinarians, volunteers and others interested in the welfare of wildlife.

TWERA is funded through membership dues and private donations.

MISSION

The Tennessee Wildlife Educators and Rehabilitators Association is dedicated to improving and promoting professionalism in the field of wildlife education and rehabilitation.

The purposes of TWERA are to:

	Promote continued improvement in the profession of wildlife education and rehabilitation through training and education.
	Encourage networking and support among our members.
	Engender cooperation among public and private agencies and individuals in support of our mission.
	Foster respect for wildlife and their natural habitats through public education.

2010 TWERA Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Conference

_{FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE}

_{SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010 8 A.M. to 4:00 PM}

_{Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville, TN}

_{More Information Here!}

LOCATING A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR

This page is currently under construction.

Please contact LouAnn Partington, 931-393-4835

or via email at:

louannpartington@yahoo.com for referral to a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

STATE AND FEDERAL WILDLIFE LAWS

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulate captive wildlife permits. It is a violation of state and federal laws to provide care for orphaned, injured, displaced or ill wildlife without the proper permits. These permits contain provisions that assure individuals or centers providing care for wildlife have had adequate training and that facilities are appropriate for the species in their care.

State and federal permits do limit the type of species a rehabilitator may care for. For example, current TWRA regulations do not allow the rehabilitation of skunks and bats due to the possibility of transmission of the rabies virus. Other species, such as white-tailed deer and (for the eastern 1/3 of the state) raccoons and foxes require additional training and special authorization in addition to a basic rehabilitation permit. Rehabilitation of any avian species requires a USFWS rehabilitation permit in addition to the state permit.

Both state and federal regulations prohibit keeping any wildlife as “pets”. Wildlife used in education programs are not considered pets. These are animals that have been determined to be non-releasable and require an additional permit.

If you use mammals in educational programming or displays, you will need a Class C license from the USDA. The regional USDA office contact info is:

USDA, APHIS, AC

Regional Director

920 Main Campus,Suite 200

Raleigh, NC 27606-5532

919-716-5696

For more information on Tennessee wildlife laws, see Rules of The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Chapter 1660-1-18, Rules and Regulations of Life Wildlife, and Captive Wildlife Laws 70-4-401 through 417.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) governs the issuance of permits by USFWS. Regulations are set forth under 50 CFR. Parts 17, 21 and 22 maybe found on the USFWS web-site at www.fws.gov.