The BC SPCA

Having trouble viewing this email? Read it online in a web browser.

WildSense - The BC SPCA wildlife eNewsletter

 

May 2014

Dear friend,

Such a busy spring with the launch of Wild ARC’s exciting new Critter Cam – with 5 different enclosures able to be featured. The live streaming of critters will be on 24 hours a day, from one of the views – either the pool pen, flight pen, deer pen, raccoon habitat or nursery. Be sure to check back often to see new animal action as the baby season progresses!

As the busy baby season is now underway at wildlife rehabilitation centres across the province, it’s time to brush up on your wildlife knowledge in this issue with our new brochure series and article on ducklings and goslings. Have the BC SPCA Call Centre hotline number handy (1-855-622-7722), and learn how to report oil spills and poaching in the province as well in this issue. Keeping wildlife safe is always our goal, and this concern extends to exotic animals like reptiles and their welfare. Thank you for taking the time to learn more to help wild and exotic animals in need.    

With appreciation,

 Sara Dubois, Manager, Scientific Programs

Sara Dubois
BC SPCA Chief Scientific Officer

PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

First taste of freedom for orphaned otters 

In May of 2013, BC SPCA Wild ARC admitted its first orphaned river otter of the season. Thin and dehydrated, the baby otter was luckily uninjured and otherwise healthy. Several weeks later she was joined by a second otter kit from a neighbouring municipality, a young male also orphaned and in need of Wild ARC’s help.

After a year in care growing strong and healthy, and learning the many skills they would need to survive, these two curious and energetic patients finally headed out to their new wild home. While in care, these two otters were the debut patients on Wild ARC's Critter Cam, and we know that many folks who had a chance to view these beautiful patients on their road to recovery are wishing them well!

Photo credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Fuel spill in Esquimalt shows cracks in federal oil spill response system

As a member of the Oiled Wildlife Trust, the BC SPCA is currently lending support to the Oiled Wildlife Society of B.C. to a spill response near Victoria. Numerous mallard ducks have been affected and other wildlife in the area is at risk. Provincial and municipal authorities have been actively involved in the response, but the federal regulatory agency responsible for assessing the affected wildlife has recommended no action to be taken.

Despite the recent announcement increasing liability for ship owners in the case of a marine spill, gaps in the federal response system continue to exist: no legislation requires a polluter to mount a wildlife response, and no funds are available in the case of a mystery spill, as seen this month in Esquimalt. For more information on the lack of preparedness for oiled wildlife response, see the Oiled Wildlife Trust’s recent report (pdf).

Photo credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 New book draws attention to poaching threat to local wildlife

Whether it’s eagles killed for their parts, Roosevelt elk taken as trophies, or trucks of illegally caught salmon, wildlife poachers each year are estimated to kill as many fish and wildlife as are taken legally. For a window into the unscrupulous and devious activities of poaching in B.C., pick up a copy of Randy Nelson’s new book Poachers, Polluters & Politics. Nelson’s collection of nearly 100 vignettes of stakeouts, pursuits, confrontations and political commentaries describes the difficult, and often dangerous, on-the-ground activities of the Conservation Officer’s 35-year career protecting B.C. wildlife.

With so few conservation officers in the province, one of Nelson’s key messages is for the public to be vigilant and report suspected poachers by calling the B.C. Ministry of Environment’s 24-hour poacher and polluter hotline at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or report violators online.

Photo Credit: Martin Smart, 2013 BC SPCA Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Help keep ducklings and goslings safe this spring

This is the time of year that many wild families increase their numbers, hatching or giving birth to a new generation. For goose and duck families, this is a perilous time for their young ducklings and goslings as they help their newly-hatched babies make their way from their nest site to nearby ponds and streams.

Learn what the typical danger signs are for nesting families, and for the young families as they traverse busy roadways and urban areas to the closest water source.

Photo credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

New wildlife brochures coming to a BC SPCA branch near you

Do you know what to do if you find a baby bird? Baby seal? Baby deer fawn? Do you have concerns about pet and wildlife interactions? Or are you concerned about someone feeding wildlife in your neighbourhood or local park? Most harms to wildlife are caused by some kind of human intervention, even if well-meaning.  

Learn how to prevent wildlife harms, and help share this valuable information by passing it on. Our new wildlife brochure series is now available at a BC SPCA branch near you and they can also be downloaded as pdfs. Share widely!

Photo Credit: Kathy Lamb, 2011 BC SPCA Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Reptiles are not robots!

A swaying elephant. A feather-plucked parrot. A pacing tiger. For many exotic animals, the signs of poor welfare in captivity are easy to recognize. But what about reptiles? How can we tell when a snake is suffering? Can a snake suffer?

Reptiles have long been regarded as simple animals with little capacity for learning or emotion. However, thanks to a growing interest in reptile cognition and behaviour, the view of reptiles as robots is slowly changing. They can navigate mazes and solve food puzzles, for instance. They can hunt cooperatively, share parental duties, communicate with each other before hatching, and even play games such as tug-of-war and keep-away.

The evidence is accumulating that reptiles are more mentally and emotionally complex than previously assumed. It would seem that snakes can suffer, after all. Read more about what the BC SPCA has to say about reptiles and other exotic animals as pets.  


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Annual wildlife photo contest just around the corner

Great-Horned-Owl-200.jpg

Time to charge your camera batteries and make room on those memory cards for B.C.’s magnificent wildlife! It’s that time of the year to review all the great wild animal photos you have taken since last summer and prepare to submit them to the 2014 BC SPCA Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest.

There is no better way to celebrate Canada’s wildlife than with the launch of the contest on July 1st! Contest closes September 30th and all photos must be taken in B.C. of non-captive wildlife.
Net proceeds go to support injured and orphaned animals at Wild ARC. For more information email contest@wildarc.com.

Photo credit: Bruce Tuck, 2013 BC SPCA Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Paws for a Cause Walk helps wildlife too

Paws-200px.jpg

In 2013, Wild ARC helped 2,298 injured and orphaned wild animals ‒ that’s 1,635 birds, 656 mammals, 6 reptiles, and 1 amphibian! We are hoping on behalf of all the wild animals that you will participate in the 2014 Paws for a Cause: Walk to fight animal cruelty and raise much needed funds to support animal care and rehabilitation. Visit our website for your local branch’s walk date and location or contact paws@spca.bc.ca for more information. All the animals, staff, and volunteers at Wild ARC thank you for your continued support.

Facebook | Donate | Paw Plan | Wish List

 BC SPCA - 1245 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver B.C.  spca.bc.ca

Wildlife welfare | Urban wildlife | Wildlife rehabilitation | wildarc.com

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia. BC SPCA Charitable Registration No. BN 11881 9036 RR0001

 On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.

Login to update your contact information and email subscriptions or unsubscribe. For further help, comments or questions regarding our communications, please email our donor relations team or call 604-681-7271 (or 1-800-665-1868 outside the Lower Mainland).