As a wildlife carer, I've embarked on a journey filled with both joy and heartache. Wildlife carers around the world play a crucial role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for injured and orphaned animals. An immense passion and love for animals drives their dedication to saving and protecting wildlife. However, behind their tireless efforts lies a hidden aspect of their work—the deep hurt and pain they experience when they lose an animal they have nurtured. Today, I want to share my personal experiences and shed light on the emotional toll we wildlife carers endure, highlighting our dedication and the depth of our commitment.
Understanding the Wildlife Carer's Journey:
Wildlife carers invest significant time, resources, and energy into rehabilitating injured or orphaned animals. They work around the clock, providing medical care, nourishment, and a safe environment for these vulnerable creatures. Sometimes, on an hourly or two-hourly schedule. The connection formed between a carer and their animals can be profound, often resulting in a bond similar to that of a parent and child.
The Pain of Loss:
In my role as a wildlife carer, I've had the privilege of nurturing countless animals back to health. From tiny, orphaned possums to injured wallabies, each life entrusted to me carries a unique story. I've seen animals overcome incredible odds, witnessing their resilience firsthand. But sadly, not all journeys end with success. The pain of losing an animal I've invested so much time and effort into is indescribable. It can be devastating, triggering a cascade of emotions, including grief, sadness, and a profound sense of helplessness. It feels like a piece of my heart shatters every time, leaving behind an ache that lingers.
I remember a particularly difficult experience with a young possum joey. He was so small, he didn’t even take up the palm of my hand. He had come into my care after a traumatic ordeal, and I spent countless nights by his side, providing comfort and nourishment. We developed an inseparable bond, and it felt like we were on the road to recovery together. However, despite my best efforts, his body gave up, and I made the heart-wrenching decision, with the support of my mentor, to end his life to prevent any further suffering. The grief that washed over me was overwhelming, a mix of sadness, guilt, and a profound sense of loss. It's a pain that only fellow wildlife carers can truly understand.
The Rollercoaster of Emotions:
Being a wildlife carer is an emotional rollercoaster, where we are constantly exposed to injured, suffering, and dying animals. Witnessing the pain and distress of the animals we are trying to help can lead to compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and even burnout.
In our work, we experience moments of triumph and hope, witnessing an animal taking its first steps toward freedom. These moments bring us immense joy and fulfillment. However, we also encounter heart-wrenching setbacks and moments of helplessness. The constant cycle of joy and sorrow can be draining, both mentally and emotionally.
There have been nights when animals were dropped off at my doorstep, their trembling bodies in my hands, as I desperately willed them to recover. Yet, despite our best efforts, we sometimes have to accept that nature has a different plan. In those moments, the weight of our responsibility becomes all-encompassing. We question ourselves, wondering if there was more we could have done if we failed in some way. It takes immense strength to carry on, to push past the grief, and continue fighting for the animals still in our care.
Throughout this rollercoaster of emotions, we remain committed to our mission and dedicated to the well-being of the animals we serve. It is through our resilience and determination that we find the strength to persevere, even in the face of heartbreak and loss.
The Need for Support and Recognition:
While wildlife carers understand the risks and emotional challenges associated with their work, it is essential that they receive the support they deserve. Recognition of their efforts and acknowledgment of the grief they experience can provide solace and help in coping with their emotional burden. Support systems, such as counseling services and peer support networks, can play a crucial role in helping carers navigate their grief and maintain their own well-being. It can be a lonely place to sit, after losing an animal we have spent tireless hours, days, weeks or even months caring for. Often, I ask myself why I continue to put myself through the hurt and pain. I’ve had periods of time where I have given up. The pain has become too much. I attended 18 roadside trauma cases in one year, all requiring euthanasia. This is one of the hardest parts of being a wildlife carer and animal lover. Not wanting to prolong the animals suffering, you make the decision to end their suffering there and then. It’s not something that is publicly talked about because no one wants to hear it or know about it. So, people who attend euthanasia callouts, end up silent. Keeping their pain bottled up.
Improving the System:
The recent concerns raised by wildlife carers regarding welfare issues and the need for systemic change, as highlighted in this article, call for a re-evaluation of how we support and protect these dedicated individuals. Adequate funding, increased resources, and improved training can enhance the ability of carers to provide high-quality care while also addressing their emotional needs. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, wildlife organizations, and the community can help create a more sustainable and compassionate system for both animals and carers.
Finding Support and Healing:
In the face of such emotional challenges, support becomes vital for wildlife carers. We need understanding and compassion from our communities and organizations. Recognizing the toll that loss takes on us is crucial in helping us navigate our grief. Connecting with fellow carers who have experienced similar pain provides solace and a safe space to share our stories.
For me, my art has been instrumental in processing my emotions. It's a space where I can clear my mind, focus on moving forward, and letting go. Additionally, speaking to fellow wildlife carers who also experience loss and trauma and being able to freely express my grief and have their understanding has been invaluable. Finding solace in nature itself has also been a source of healing. Watching animals thrive in their natural habitats reminds me of the importance of our work and reignites my passion.
It wasn't always like this, though. There was a time when I didn't take breaks. The animals just kept coming in, and I kept taking them on, month after month, year after year. It eventually led to burnout, and I had to take 18 months off to recover. However, now I understand the importance of taking a small break each year. It allows me to recover, heal, and make progress in my journey as a wildlife carer.
Conclusion:
Being a wildlife carer is a calling that requires immense dedication and sacrifice. We pour our hearts into the animals we care for, nurturing them back to health and hoping for their release back into the wild. But along this journey, we also carry the burden of grief when we lose those we've grown attached to. The pain is real, and it's important for us to acknowledge it.
To my fellow wildlife carers, I want you to know that you are not alone in your grief. The path we've chosen is a bittersweet one, but it is also filled with immeasurable rewards. Let us lean on each other, share our stories, and find solace in the knowledge that our efforts make a difference. Together, we can continue to protect and preserve the precious lives we encounter, embracing both the joy and the heartache that comes with being a wildlife carer.
