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WildSense - The BC SPCA wildlife eNewsletter

WildSense - October 2011 issue

 In this issue

> Editorial
> Fawn-napping
> Oh, deer...
> Coyote city
> Wildlife winterizing
> Photo contest ends
> Bring on the films!
> Wildlife tip - bird junk food

 

How you can help 

> Make a gift online
> Join the BC SPCA PAW Plan

> Donate wish list item
> Share WildSense with a friend

 

Upcoming events

> November 5
Paws and Claws Film Festival Soiree

 

Find us online

>  spca.bc.ca 
>  wildarc.com 
Facebook Wild ARC Facebook Page
[object Object] Wild ARC YouTube Channel

 

Dear friend,

As the cooler fall weather sets in, wildlife stories will still be making the news…

Bears will be seen bulking up before their winter sleep, many migratory birds are passing through headed south for the winter, while others settle in locally for the season. Wildlife viewing is still great at this time of year so continue to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of our beautiful wild spaces and urban retreats for wildlife.

Please be careful on the roads, as with the shorter days of light, many wildlife are out and about at dawn and dusk and now we are too!

With appreciation,

 Sara Dubois, BC SPCA wildlife services manager

Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services

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

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Twice kidnapped, one final release

Every year, Wild ARC rehabilitation staff admit deer fawns from well-meaning members of the public who kidnap the helpless-looking babies.

Twice kidnapped, one final releaseThankfully, many are immediately reunited with their mothers by our staff, while countless others are saved from the fawn-napping altogether when cautious members of the public call for advice before picking up the fragile animal. Sadly though, one fawn this year was kidnapped not once, but twice. Read about his final release this month.

Photo credit: Rachele Ricketts, Wild ARC Intern

More...

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Oh deer, not another deer story...

Recent headlines and nightly news stories have being talking about controversial deer issues in numerous communities across the province.

DeerIt is a difficult issue, with no easy answer – culling is a short-term measure, relocation can be inhumane, and contraception options are not available in Canada. Each community’s challenges differ, but lessons can be learned from each other – take Nanaimo’s ‘Deer Aware’ community group for example.

Please download and read the BC SPCA’s position statement on Urban Deer and pass it on to your local government if they are struggling with the issue.

If you, or someone you know, lives in the Capital Regional District or Penticton there are opportunities for you to have your say about deer management in your area.

For CRD residents, email deermanagement@crd.bc.ca
For Penticton residents, email urbandeer@penticton.ca

Photo credit: Jeanette Ovens

More...

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If you build it, they will come

Many people are surprised when they look out the window and see a coyote trotting down the middle of the street. After all, don’t coyotes belong in the wild?

By expanding urban areas, humans have actually created coyote habitat. Large rodent populations, accessible garbage and plenty of green space – things which towns and cities have in abundance – are all attractive to coyotes.

Find out more about coyote habits, and what you can do to coexist with these intelligent and adaptable animals.

Photo credit: Gordon Hindle

More...

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Winterizing with wildlife in mind
You can do wild animals a favour when you prepare your vehicle for cooler weather this fall: ask for wildlife-friendly antifreeze at your local automotive shop.

Traditional antifreeze contains highly toxic ethylene glycol. Just a tablespoonful can kill a small animal, who may lap up the sweet-tasting liquid. Propylene glycol-based antifreeze, on the other hand, is much less toxic. Plus, it’s biodegradable and recyclable, making it a better choice for wildlife and the environment.

Make the switch today!

 More...

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Photo contest ends in success

The 2011 Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest closed on September 30, 2011 and this year was another great success.

The amazing images entered will help the BC SPCA to provide education in our communities about the needs and issues of local wildlife.

Over 450 photos were submitted during the contest which raised $2,700 to support injured and orphaned wildlife in need. Our judges have a tough job ahead of them and winners will be announced in November.

First place photos will be featured in an upcoming issue of AnimalSense and the top three winners will receive small prizes. In the meantime, check out past contest winners from 2009 & 2010 like Michael Hewitt’s fantastic porcupine picture taken near Kamloops.

Photo credit: Michael Hewitt

 More...

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Bring on the films!

Submissions for the first Paws and Claws Film Festival are now closed. Public online viewing and voting for nominated films will begin October 31 with “People’s Choice” and “Critic’s Choice” awards announced at the Film Festival Soiree.

For those in the Victoria area, you can join us at the live viewing event on Wednesday November 2 at the Gibson Auditorium, Lansdowne Campus, Camosun College. This event is by donation and will showcase a selection of the best films between 7:00-9:00pm.

Or come out to our signature event, the Paws and Claws Film Festival Soiree at the CFB Esquimalt Wardroom on November 5 from 6:30-10:00pm.

This fun-filled evening will include dinner, auction, screening of the top two films, awards and more! Purchase your tickets online today.

More...

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Wildlife Tip - Help break the "junk food" generation

We often see people feeding bread to ducks and geese at parks. But does feeding these birds improve their welfare?

It may be well intentioned, but bread, crackers, chips and popcorn are all carbohydrates of little nutritional value for birds. These products are like eating a constant diet of junk food. People who eat too much junk food are at risk of excessive weight gain and diseased organs – the same for ducks and geese.

There are other adverse effects as well. Their poor body condition makes them less agile to avoid predation. It also results in a cycle of disadvantaged offspring who have not learned foraging behaviour. Ducks and geese naturally eat a range of foods including aquatic plants, natural grains and insects. Feeding also results in unnaturally high numbers of animals at feeding sites. Diseases generally not transmissible in the wild thrive in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

So even though we may feel we are helping, in the end, fed ducks and geese usually have poorer welfare than if they were not human fed. Instead, enjoy observing ducks and geese at the park. If you are speaking to people feeding them, explain that grains (cracked corn, barley, rye, oats, wheat and birdseed), kale, spinach and romaine lettuce (not iceberg) are better choices.

Photo credit: Kyung-Won Shin 

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

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

The 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. The Society provides a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

BC SPCA Charitable Registration No. BN 11881 9036 RR0001

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