2024 Wildlife First Responders Course

The 2024 course has concluded. We'll see you again in February 2025!

The 2024 Wildlife First Responders Course goes online! Have you ever wished you’d known how to handle a wildlife emergency like a baby rabbit caught by a cat or a hawk hit by a car along the road?

Our Wildlife First Responders class will be an online class that you can complete at your own pace with prerecorded video segments, electronic handouts, and live Q & A sessions via Google Meet. The online class will be available starting February 1st and will incorporate over four hours of video instruction. Participants will retain access to all online materials through February 29th. Optional in-person wildlife capture practice sessions for small groups of participants at Tamarack Wildlife Center will be scheduled for those interested.

This course will teach you when to intervene in wildlife situations and when not to, as well as how to capture, stabilize, and transport injured wildlife to a rehabilitator. In addition to learning how to respond when encountering wildlife in need, participants develop some of the skills necessary to become TWC phone helpline volunteers, transporters, and onsite volunteers. The course can be used towards state licensure as a capture/transport permittee as well.

Course cost is $40. Registration must be received by Wednesday, January 31st. Sign-up for capture practice is on a first come, first served basis, so register early! Those wishing to volunteer by answering phone calls on our helpline will receive a rebate of $20 when they begin volunteering in that capacity following the course. Previous participants are welcome to attend this online course at no cost but need to register to be given access to class materials.

  • What: Learn to be a Wildlife First Responder
  • Where: Online
  • When: Course access begins Thursday, February 1, 2024
  • Fee:  $40

How To Register

Register Online  or Download the registration form here and mail to Tamarack Wildlife Center, 21601 Stull Road, Saegertown, PA 16433 with check made payable to "Tamarack Wildlife Center". Registration deadline is Wednesday, January 31st.

You will be emailed a confirmation letter with additional information prior to the start of the course. If you have other questions, please call 814-763-2574 and leave a message. We will be in contact with you shortly.