1. When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and
another earth must pass until such a one can be seen again.
- William Beebe
IDAHO BLACK BEAR REHAB, INC.
6097 Arney Lane * Garden City, Idaho 83714
Phone: (208) 853-3105 * Fax: (208) 439-6777
E-Mail: INFO@bearrehab.org * Web site: www.bearrehab.org
IBBR is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
July 3, 2008
To whom it may concern,
SUBJECT: VALERIE LEBOEUF
I have known and worked with Valerie LeBoeuf since 1987 when we founded Animals in Distress Association (AIDA)
along with several other individuals. Valerie was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and a zookeeper at the Boise Zoo
working with all species at that time, including big game animals such as cougars.
She approached wildlife rehabilitation with both a scientific interest and a compassionate heart. Her concern that the
animals receive the best possible care during rehabilitation was obvious. She made time to learn about each species
in her care, consulted with other rehabilitators, and made sure she knew what was needed to release an animal
capable of taking care of itself. She thoroughly researched each release site to be sure the habitat would support the
animal prior to release.
We worked together as wildlife rehabilitators for many years until she began her career in real estate. She
helped me care for orphaned bear cubs along with her own wildlife rehabilitation responsibilities. During our
work together as wildlife rehabilitators, Valerie did many education programs at local schools for AIDA and the
Idaho Black Bear Rehab program. She was always in demand and provided a tremendous service to the
community by educating kids about animals, wildlife rehabilitation, and the environment.
In 1991 Valerie founded The Animals Trust and began the Beaver Sterilization / Relocation Study Program. She
worked with the Boise Parks and Recreation Dept. to resolve beaver problems in the city of Boise through 1996. She
live-trapped and relocated beavers, researched solutions such as sterilization to keep populations at a manageable
level, and designed and implemented deterrent techniques to minimize the environmental impacts of resident
beavers in the city. For beaver groups that were designated to be relocated, she thoroughly researched release sites
and made sure the habitat would support the beavers and that the beavers' activities would be beneficial to
restore/expand the riparian habitat. She consulted with and was highly respected by those in other states for her
work with beavers.
I valued Valerie's expertise, well-rounded knowledge base, attention to detail, and experience so much that I
asked her to be on the IBBR board. She has been a valuable asset to the program since it began in 1989 and I
would highly recommend her for any position involving animals and education.
Sincerely,
Sally Maughan
Founder/President