“I have gained a lot from this opportunity, such as how to band birds, identify and handle numerous species, and assess wildlife for disease. I’ve also learned how thorough wildlife assessments are, how to perform reception-related tasks, and much more! However, my greatest experience has been learning about the common threats facing wildlife in Madison. By observing countless stories and situations at DCHS, topics from previous academic courses now hold more relevance, and I have seen many things that the public or those in the wildlife ecology fields do not talk much about. Some of those topics include the rates of domestic pet attacks, prevalence of Angel Wing, incomplete kills caused by hunters, and much more. This fuels me to bring up these topics to the public and advocate for solutions to these issues through multiple methods, such as using the media and possibly participating in public policy.
"Before this position, I was starving for any opportunity to be involved in the field and to get hands-on experience with either environmental issues or wildlife issues. Fortunately, this internship gave me everything I wanted! From finding a new, profound confidence to learning what it truly feels like to be in the wildlife field, this opportunity has impacted me in many positive ways. This position has shown me the importance of making connections and has changed my outlook on how much the public truly knows about wildlife. It has reformed my view on how common wildlife-human conflicts are. Thank you so much for this opportunity!”
- Josiah Flores-Eldredge, Graduated Fall 2025 Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
Top photo: Josiah helps as an exam assistant, handling a new patient being admitted.
“When the internship first started, I honestly had very little understanding of how wildlife rehabilitation worked. I knew there were going to be medical procedures, daily care, and therapy involved, but that was the extent of my knowledge. As the internship progressed, I began to learn about just how much time, effort, and dedication goes into rehabbing wildlife, and it was amazing to see everyone working together.
"By the end, I also became much more comfortable at handling a wide variety of animals, something that initially felt intimidating, especially when you’re face-to-face with a large raptor or an energetic squirrel. One experience that especially stood out to me was watching a Red-tailed Hawk receive grafted feathers through a process called imping after its own had been burned off by methane gas. It was fascinating to see, and got me thinking, 'Hey, that's something I want to do one day.'
"These experiences, along with the wonderful staff at the Wildlife Center, helped me grow and better understand the complexity of wildlife care, and have reinforced my interest in continuing to work towards becoming a veterinarian and helping as many animals as possible in the future.”
- Jei Pau, Graduated Fall 2025 Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
“I was inspired to apply for the wildlife internship after volunteering as an Animal Ambassador Docent at the Henry Vilas Zoo. While I enjoyed the role of docent, I kept feeling like I wanted to do more. I love animals and have been involved both professionally and as a volunteer in different roles working with a number of different species. I had previously volunteered at the North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in my hometown of Asheboro, N.C., and greatly enjoyed that experience. I am so excited to be a part of the team as an intern and explore all of the facets of wildlife rehabilitation. I am hoping to gain knowledge around the native species in the Midwest and use this opportunity to figure out potential areas of specialization that I am most interested in. I am confident that with the incredible knowledge and experience provided by this internship that I will be able to hopefully continue with a career in wildlife rehabilitation.”
- Calista Holt, Spring 2026 Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
