Arthur and Dorothy Howell, co-founders of The A.E. Howell
Wildlife Conservation Center, opened the rehabilitation
center and refuge in 1981. Working closely with biologists,
game wardens, veterinarians, and volunteers the Howells have
rehabilitated and released 126 bears, 17 moose, 37 deer, 21
Bald eagles, other raptors species, and hundreds of small
birds and mammals to Maine, Massachusetts, and the Canadian
province of New Brunswick.
Wildlife Conservation Center, opened the rehabilitation
center and refuge in 1981. Working closely with biologists,
game wardens, veterinarians, and volunteers the Howells have
rehabilitated and released 126 bears, 17 moose, 37 deer, 21
Bald eagles, other raptors species, and hundreds of small
birds and mammals to Maine, Massachusetts, and the Canadian
province of New Brunswick.
Wildlife at Risk
Today more than ever, wildlife populations are facing threats to their survival in almost every
region of our planet. Wildlife biologists and conservationists have created classifications to track
the health of individual species. These classifications aid in making laws to protect wildlife at
risk. Below are some of the major steps that have been taken toward this goal.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 - This domestic law states that all migratory birds and their
parts (including eggs, nests, and feathers) are fully protected. It is a treaty agreement that the
U.S. has with each country (Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Russia) to protect selected species of
birds that are common to both countries during the bird's annual migratory cycle.
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
The Red List of Threatened Species - The Red List, Created in1948 by the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a global directory of the status of living things across
our planet. Categories of risk range from critically endangered to common. In 2000, the Red List
identified over 5,400 species of animal that were in the high risk of extinction category. Human
activity was sited as the cause in almost every case. www.iucn.org/
The Endangered Species Act - The United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act in
1973 in response to a growing concern "that many of our nation's native plants and animals were
in danger of becoming extinct". The ESA was put in place to recover at risk species and the
ecosystems that support them. Under the ESA, a species is considered "endangered" when it is
at risk of extinction throughout all or most of its range. A species is considered "threatened"
when it is likely that it will become endangered within the "foreseeable" future.
Under the ESA, animals classified as endangered are protected from any act that would injure
or kill that animal unless a permit has been issued. Protection also extends to habitats on which
the animal depends for feeding, breeding or sheltering. The law's goal is to restore a species to
ecological health. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists design recovery plans with the assistance
of species experts, Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes and other concerned organizations.
www.fws.gov/endangered/
For information on Maine's Endangered and Threatened Species go to:
www.state.me.us/ifw/wildlife/species/endangered_species/
Today more than ever, wildlife populations are facing threats to their survival in almost every
region of our planet. Wildlife biologists and conservationists have created classifications to track
the health of individual species. These classifications aid in making laws to protect wildlife at
risk. Below are some of the major steps that have been taken toward this goal.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 - This domestic law states that all migratory birds and their
parts (including eggs, nests, and feathers) are fully protected. It is a treaty agreement that the
U.S. has with each country (Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Russia) to protect selected species of
birds that are common to both countries during the bird's annual migratory cycle.
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
The Red List of Threatened Species - The Red List, Created in1948 by the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a global directory of the status of living things across
our planet. Categories of risk range from critically endangered to common. In 2000, the Red List
identified over 5,400 species of animal that were in the high risk of extinction category. Human
activity was sited as the cause in almost every case. www.iucn.org/
The Endangered Species Act - The United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act in
1973 in response to a growing concern "that many of our nation's native plants and animals were
in danger of becoming extinct". The ESA was put in place to recover at risk species and the
ecosystems that support them. Under the ESA, a species is considered "endangered" when it is
at risk of extinction throughout all or most of its range. A species is considered "threatened"
when it is likely that it will become endangered within the "foreseeable" future.
Under the ESA, animals classified as endangered are protected from any act that would injure
or kill that animal unless a permit has been issued. Protection also extends to habitats on which
the animal depends for feeding, breeding or sheltering. The law's goal is to restore a species to
ecological health. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists design recovery plans with the assistance
of species experts, Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes and other concerned organizations.
www.fws.gov/endangered/
For information on Maine's Endangered and Threatened Species go to:
www.state.me.us/ifw/wildlife/species/endangered_species/
2009 All Rights Reserved/Copyright A.E.Howell Wildlife
A Word About Wildlife
Most people who come upon injured or orphaned wildlife are well intentioned and want to
help. However, animals under these conditions have been traumatized and require special
handling to reduce further injury and stress. Trying to corral an orphaned animal, for example,
can lead to shock and can make care and recovery that much more difficult. The best outcome
is achieved when you contact your local Game Warden. This individual has the training and
equipment to handle emergencies such as these.
Area Game Warden- (207)435-3667
Your local game warden can also be reached by calling the Maine State Police-
The Houlton number is 1-800-924-2261, The Augusta number is 1-800-452-4664
Most people who come upon injured or orphaned wildlife are well intentioned and want to
help. However, animals under these conditions have been traumatized and require special
handling to reduce further injury and stress. Trying to corral an orphaned animal, for example,
can lead to shock and can make care and recovery that much more difficult. The best outcome
is achieved when you contact your local Game Warden. This individual has the training and
equipment to handle emergencies such as these.
Area Game Warden- (207)435-3667
Your local game warden can also be reached by calling the Maine State Police-
The Houlton number is 1-800-924-2261, The Augusta number is 1-800-452-4664
From Rescue to Release
All young mammals need daily care and attention. As you can see, these young animals are no
exception. They were brought to us by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife after losing
their mothers. Drew, the smallest moose ever to come to the center, stayed from June 2004 to
March of 2005. B.B. the bear suffered multiple fractures and contusions after being hit by a truck.
He was with us from July of 2002 to Sept. 2003.
Each animal received a special diet often including goats milk, and was later weaned to seasonal
foods that it would have been taught to eat by its mother in the wild. As each animal progresses
toward rehabilitation, we keep human contact to a minimum. This ensures the best outcome when
the time for release has arrived.
exception. They were brought to us by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife after losing
their mothers. Drew, the smallest moose ever to come to the center, stayed from June 2004 to
March of 2005. B.B. the bear suffered multiple fractures and contusions after being hit by a truck.
He was with us from July of 2002 to Sept. 2003.
Each animal received a special diet often including goats milk, and was later weaned to seasonal
foods that it would have been taught to eat by its mother in the wild. As each animal progresses
toward rehabilitation, we keep human contact to a minimum. This ensures the best outcome when
the time for release has arrived.
Rescue and Release
