Secret World Wildlife Rescue offers a range of online training courses designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for those interested in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release. These courses are suitable for wildlife enthusiasts, rehabilitators, veterinary professionals, and anyone looking to expand their understanding of British wildlife care.
Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release Courses
Our core training consists of four courses, covering all aspects of rescuing, assessing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife. These courses provide the foundational knowledge required to progress to our species-specific courses and practical training.
Course 1: Introduction to Wildlife Rescue
- Ethical considerations when treating wildlife
- Health & Safety: your own and your responsibility to others
- Wildlife rescue techniques and equipment
- Cleanliness, hygiene and biosecurity
- Question and answer session
Course 2: Caring for Orphans and Adult Wildlife
- Record keeping and legal considerations
- Care of neonatal and juvenile (‘orphan’) birds
- Care of neonatal and juvenile (‘orphan’) mammals
- Care of adult birds
- Care of adult mammals
- Question and answer session
Course 3: Veterinary and First Aid Care
- Assessment and examination
- Triage and euthanasia
- Medical treatments
- First aid
- Wound care and bandaging
- Question and answer session
Course 4: Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release
- Wildlife rehabilitation and release techniques
- Release of adult casualties
- Soft release techniques and site surveys
- Catching up, release, and post-release monitoring
- Question and answer session
Next Steps: Practical Training
Once all four courses have been completed, participants are eligible to take part in our Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release Practical Course. This course provides hands-on experience in applying the theory learned online and is a valuable opportunity to develop practical skills in wildlife care. More information about this course can be found on our Professional Training page.
Species-Specific Courses (Coming Soon)
For those who have completed our Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release courses, we offer four advanced courses focusing on the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of specific species:
Each course covers:
- The ecology and biology of the species, relevant to their assessment and triage
- Common reasons for admission to vets and wildlife centres
- The care of neonatal and juvenile animals of that species
- The specialist care required while in captivity
These courses provide in-depth knowledge and practical guidance for those looking to specialise in the rescue and rehabilitation of British wildlife.
How to Enrol
Secret World Academy is now live, bringing together our growing range of online courses in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and professional development in one easy-to-use learning platform.
Whether you are hoping to begin a career in wildlife rehabilitation, build your knowledge for volunteering, support your studies, or continue your professional development, Secret World Academy offers flexible, engaging and practical learning that you can complete at your own pace, wherever you are in the world.
Browse our available courses, enrol online, and start learning today by clicking the button below.
Students are eligible for £10 off each online course. To receive your discount code, please email learning@secretworld.org using your registered educational institution email address. Once your student status has been verified, we will send you a unique discount code to use at checkout.
If you have any questions or experience any technical difficulties, please contact our Learning Team at Learning@secretworld.org.
“The courses have been incredibly engaging and, from my perspective, really reflect the level of professionalism behind the work you do.”
“The course was very informative on a wide range of topics, giving a broad overview of the subject. It was well structured, with a clear program and plenty of little breaks – very easy to follow, knowing what’s going on at any moment. The online format worked very well for me, I was able to take lots of notes and easily organise them, thanks to the clear visual presentations. The pace was great, too – neither rushed, nor dragged-out; I was able to note down all the sub-topics that are more relevant to my interests as the sessions were progressing, so I know what to delve deeper into.”
“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the 4 courses and learning about animal rescue and rehabilitation. It was something I knew nothing really about before the first course and I have found it fascinating and informative.”