The FreeMe Wildlife Experience...
At the end of month two of her training, FreeMe Wildlife Experience student, Carlene, was tasked with preparing an enclosure for a species in care.
Carlene chose to prepare an enclosure for a White-tailed Mongoose. In order to do this correctly, she had to research the species. Where is it found in the wild? What type of habitat does it prefer? Is it diurnal or nocturnal? How does it hunt or forage, and what does it hunt or forage? Which senses does it use? Where does it sleep? Does is need to burrow, dig, or climb?
To rehabilitate an animal correctly, three things need to be focused on - its physiology (how its body works), its ethology (how does it behave naturally in the wild), and its psychology (what negatively effects it, and what helps to keep it calm and happy). The correct captive environment is therefore critical to the patient's physical and mental well-being, and ultimately its recovery process.
Well done, Carlene, for understanding the needs of your chosen species, and for providing a stimulating, simulated natural environment that will make it feel comfortable.
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