Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew Protocol

Welcome to the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew. This protocol is designed to guide volunteers in conducting safe, ethical, and effective wildlife rescue and transport activities. Your work supports the rescue and recovery of injured or distressed wildlife, collaboration with authorized rescue partners, and documentation of human-caused threats affecting coastal species.

By following these protocols, you help ensure the safety of both wildlife and human responders while upholding the mission of Wildlife Jewels®.

🔹 Your Role as a Rescue Volunteer

• Respond to calls involving injured, entangled, stranded, or distressed wildlife.

• Assist with transporting animals to authorized wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

• Support on-site observation, threat documentation, and coordination with partner agencies.

• Prioritize your own safety and the welfare of the animal at all times.

• Act only under the direction of designated leads or partnering agencies.

❗ Note: We currently assist only with the rescue and transport of some small wildlife, such as birds and small mammals. We do not handle marine mammals (e.g., seals, sea lions).
For any marine mammal in distress, we immediately notify and coordinate with licensed marine mammal rescue organizations such as PMMC, SeaWorld Rescue, or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

🚨 Emergency & Safety Protocols

• Always assess the situation before intervening.

• Do not enter the water or climb into unstable terrain.

• If wildlife is still mobile (e.g., marine mammals), maintain a distance of at least 50 feet.

• Never attempt to disentangle, touch, or move wildlife unless trained and authorized.

• Use gloves, animal carriers, and transport crates provided by Wildlife Jewels® or our partners.

• Immediately notify the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Contact and coordinate with the appropriate agency.

📲 Communication & Coordination

• Use the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue WhatsApp Group for real-time updates and coordination.

• Share clear photos, GPS location (if possible), and a description of the situation.

• Confirm destination and arrival time before initiating transport.

• Use calm, quiet tones around distressed animals.

📸 Documentation & Reporting

Even if no transport is needed, all rescue-related observations must be documented.

Please record and submit the following:

• Date and time

• Exact location (including GPS if available)

• Species and number of animals

• Visible injuries or signs of distress

• Human-related hazards (e.g., fishing gear, marine debris, harassment)

• Wide-angle and close-up photos (only if safe to take)

➡️ Submit your report within 24 hours using the Wildlife Jewels® Rescue & Transport Report Form.

⚠️ Human Disturbance & Hazard Monitoring

While assisting with rescue operations, please continue to observe and report:

• Off-leash dogs disturbing wildlife

• Bikes, drones, or large groups in sensitive habitats

• Beach bonfires or gatherings near haul-out or nesting areas

• Hazards such as fishing line, charcoal, nails, or broken glass

🧭 Field Safety Guidelines

• Never respond alone—work in pairs or inform someone of your location.

• Carry a fully charged phone, gloves, sun protection, and water.

• Wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

• Know tide schedules and avoid risky terrain.

• Always have emergency contact numbers on hand.

🤝 Ethical Guidelines & Public Interaction

• Provide only basic information or hand out flyers when approached by the public.

• If the public is interfering with wildlife:

  • Document discreetly.

  • Report the incident to the Rescue WhatsApp Group or local authorities.

  • Do not confront individuals or escalate the situation.

🔄 Check-Ins & Ongoing Training

• Attend monthly virtual check-ins for continued education and updates.

• Join debrief sessions after high-risk or complex rescues.

• Stay informed of changes to partner agency protocols.

• Training sessions are required for all Rescue Crew members and may be coordinated based on your availability.

🌊 Core Values

• Compassion for Wildlife: Always act in the best interest of animal health and well-being, with safety as a guiding principle.

• Safety Always: Protect yourself, others, and the animals you assist.

• Collaboration: Partner with agencies and fellow volunteers.

• Respect & Stewardship: Treat wildlife and ecosystems with care and reverence.

📎 Related Documents & Acknowledgements

✅ Emergency Procedures and Safety Protocol Summary
✅ Wildlife Jewels® Rescue & Transport Guidelines
✅ Rescue Crew Agreement Form
✅ Wildlife Jewels® Rescue Crew Training Guide