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January 2014
Dear friend,
Another
year has begun and there is much work to be done across B.C. as human-wildlife
interactions continue to be the focus of many headlines. Deer culls, oil
pipelines, backyard bears, and exotic pets will continue to be a priority for
advocacy work in 2014. As always, we appreciate your support in spreading the
word about finding humane solutions to these challenging problems.
As
this new year commences, I just wanted to take a moment to recognize my colleagues,
Heather Schmitt, Meghann Cant and Craig Naherniak for their value contributions
to WildSense, over the last two-and-a-half-years. A special thanks to Craig for the very
kind article in this edition about my recent promotion. I am looking forward
to the opportunities that will come with our future academic partnerships as a
result.
With
appreciation,
Sara Dubois
Manager,
Scientific Programs
BC
SPCA Chief Scientific Officer
PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.
Make
2014 a year to celebrate wildlife
Are
you looking for ways to work wildlife into your New Year’s resolutions? The BC
SPCA has some creative suggestions to get you started! By celebrating fun, little-known holidays like Squirrel
Appreciation Day or Take a Hike Day, you can connect with nature and help wild
animals year-round. This is one resolution your whole (two and four-legged)
family can take part in, and it’s one worth keeping.
Photo Credit: Rick Mintz – Wildlife-In-Focus Photography
Contest
Old Christmas trees
provide flight training for owls
Winter
is typically raptor season for many wildlife rehabilitation centres, and BC
SPCA Wild ARC is no exception. Currently, there are three Barred Owls
recovering at the centre, each hit by a car and suffering from extensive trauma
as a result. Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of admission for hawks and
owls, as these birds are often found hunting for small rodents near roadsides.
Now
after several weeks in care, these beautiful patients are on the mend and they
have recently been transferred to Wild ARC’s large outdoor flight pen. Thanks
to the generous donations by community members of post-Christmas trees, their
flight will be tested among these challenging new obstacles, which will help
these high fliers soar again.
Read more...
Photo Credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife
collisions happen most often at twilight
Dawn
and dusk are particularly active times for wild animals. During the winter
months, restricted daylight hours mean that we humans tend to be traveling to
and from work at these times, increasing the odds that we’ll be sharing the
roadways with our wild neighbours.
 Like
many human-caused harms to wildlife, animal-vehicle collisions can often be
avoided with a little knowledge, preparation, and awareness. Find out more
about the steps drivers can take to avoid collisions with wildlife at twilight,
and throughout the day and night.
Read more...
Photo Credit: Rachel
Elliot, Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest
"Wild things" now available at shop.spca.bc.ca
The
BC SPCA’s new online store now carries a series of Wild ARC items to support
wildlife rehabilitation.
Go to shop.spca.bc.ca to get your piece of
compassion fashion. Wild ARC T-shirts and collared golf shirts now ON SALE! Previously these items were
only available to purchase at the centre in Metchosin. Now everyone in B.C.
can show their appreciation of all things wild. A variety of WindowAlerts and
CatBibs are also available for purchase.
What wild animals
will you decorate on your cupcakes?
Join
us on February 24, 2014 for the sweetest day of the year: National Cupcake
Day! It’s easy and delicious to
participate – and what is cuter than wild animals on cupcakes?
Show off your
baking and decorating skills and send us a picture of your favourite critter
on cake. Register today and then plan a cupcake
party at work, home, or a virtual one online; start fundraising by encouraging
friends and family to donate online in advance; bake your favourite cupcakes;
share them with family and friends; and collect donations to save animals all
over B.C.
BC SPCA’s Sara Dubois
earns PhD in Animal Welfare
The
BC SPCA is delighted to announce that wildlife manager Sara Dubois has
completed her PhD in animal welfare from the University of British Columbia.
Sara’s PhD focused on public and wildlife stakeholder attitudes and values
toward wildlife.
“Since childhood Sara has had a passion for helping wildlife,”
says Sara’s mom. This desire led her to work
in wildlife rehabilitation and, after completing a Masters Degree in Animal
Welfare, Sara became manager of the BC SPCA’s Wild
Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) in Metchosin in 2004.
Five years later, Sara
took on a provincial wildlife focus, concentrating on policy and advocacy work
to more broadly help wildlife. With her PhD, Sara takes on the title of chief
scientific officer with the BC SPCA, which will encompass continued wildlife policy work as well
as collaborative work with academic institutions in the area of animal welfare.
See Sara’s UBC profile.
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