Description

Become a Certified Wildlife First Responder

Every year, thousands of wild animals die not from their injuries but from well-meaning human intervention.

People want to help wildlife, but without the right knowledge they may:

Remove healthy babies that are not actually orphaned

Feed animals the wrong food

Handle wildlife in ways that cause stress or fatal shock

Keep animals overnight instead of getting them to rehabilitation centres

Separate young animals from parents who are still caring for them

This is often called “killing with kindness.”

But with the right knowledge, you can change that outcome.

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Become Part of the Wildlife First Responder Network

This Certified Wildlife First Responder Training Course equips you with the knowledge and confidence to respond correctly when wildlife is in distress.

You will learn how to:

Assess wildlife situations quickly and safely

Identify common wildlife medical emergencies

Safely capture and contain injured wildlife

Prevent unnecessary removal of healthy animals from nature

Reunite healthy young wildlife with their parents

Transport wildlife safely to permitted rehabilitation centres

Educate the public on correct wildlife rescue protocols

By completing this course, you become part of a growing network of trained Wildlife First Responders across South Africa.

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What You Will Learn in This Course

This training provides practical, real-world knowledge so you know exactly what to do when wildlife is in distress. Each section listed below contains a series of topics and quizzes:

Introduction to Wildlife Rescue

Ethical Considerations

Triage

In Case of Emergency

Assisting the Public

Common Mitigation Situations

Mitigating Baby Birds & Mammals

Substitute Nests & Dens

Critical Wildlife Health Conditions

Common Medical Emergencies

Wildlife Rescue Essentials

Capturing and Handling Wildlife

Transporting Wildlife

Resources & Downloads

Continued Learning Opportunities

Join the Wild Way First Responder Network

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Course Standards and Guidelines

This course follows wildlife rescue protocols aligned with the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) guidelines and best practices used by wildlife rehabilitation centres.

The goal is to ensure that members of the public can assist wildlife safely, ethically, and responsibly while minimising stress and unnecessary human interference.

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Your Instructor

Shireen Freeman

Founder – Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue

Shireen Freeman is a wildlife rescuer, educator, and the founder of Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue, a wildlife first responder organisation serving the Overberg region of South Africa.

She is certified in:

Wildlife Rescue – Wildlife Rescue SA

Humane Education – Institute for Humane Education

Through her rescue work and public training, Shireen has helped hundreds of wild animals and educated communities on how to assist wildlife safely and responsibly.

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What Some of Our First Responders Are Saying

“A really informative course Shireen, thank you! I learnt so much. I know I’ve stressed birds and moles and more in the process of trying to help them in the past without having this information.”

“This Wildlife First Responder training offers practical knowledge on wildlife rescue and common medical emergencies. Through real-life stories and experiences, Shireen ensures an engaging and informative online learning environment.”

“The Wildlife First Responder online training is a cohesive and deeply valuable course. Shireen provides genuine knowledge, comprehensive guidance and experiential wisdom in how we can understand wildlife in need when it collides with the human world. Excellent course, highly recommended.”

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What Happens After You Book

Once you register for the course:

✔ You will receive confirmation of your booking

✔ You will receive access to the course under My Courses on the website

✔ You can complete the course from anywhere and receive your certificate upon completion

✔ You will gain the knowledge needed to respond confidently to wildlife emergencies

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