SUMMARY 



This has been an overview of the methods of rehabilitation that are used 

 at the International Bird Rescue Research Center. In an emergency, the process 

 is more complicated than this presentation may suggest, particularly when 

 large numbers of birds are involved. In the case of a large number of birds, 

 most of the activities of medical treatment, cleaning, drying, feeding, routine 

 hydrating, and other aspects of care must go on simultaneously, requiring 

 a high degree of coordination, a sufficient number of supervisory personnel 

 to direct each activity, and enough workers to carry out each job. 



It is beyond the scope of this paper to discuss the kind of preparations 

 that should be made prior to an oiled bird emergency. The plan needed to suit 

 the needs of each area will differ, depending on available personnel, facilities, 

 supplies, and equipment, as well as local species and geography. It has become 

 almost a maxim of rehabilitation, however, that some degree of advanced planning 

 is essential to help make the effort more productive when an emergency does 

 occur. 



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