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January 2013
Dear friend,
As
each year passes, it seems like there is an increasing need for wildlife care
and protection as concerns for their welfare grows. Wild ARC treated a
record-breaking 2,464 wild animals in 2012, while other centres around the
province also hit their all-time highs.
Concerns for wild animals in captivity,
exotic pets, and wildlife management culls continue to make headline news in BC
and Ontario, demonstrating that the awareness for humane treatment of all wild
animals is also running high. So as this new year begins, our commitment to
wildlife welfare is solidified with your support and passion for our furry and
feathered wild friends.
Here’s
to a compassionate 2013!
With appreciation,
Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services
PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.
Do not feed the pelicans or other wildlife, please!
 Birders, wildlife photographers and curious
residents flocked to the Inner Harbour of Victoria in December to witness the
rare gathering of more than 20 brown pelicans who stopped by the capital city
during their migration south for the winter.
Unfortunately,
the deliberate feeding of several pelicans caused some nuisance behaviour
towards onlookers by the big birds, and landed two of them at Wild ARC for care.
Sadly, this is another example of when feeding wildlife does more harm than
good.
Photo Credit: Colin
McQuillan
Four
river otters return for release on the west coast
 All grown up, four baby river otters originally brought
to Wild ARC in spring and summer 2012, returned for a cooperative release on
the west coast in October.
Since then, Wild ARC staff have been frequently
monitoring the animals, providing a “soft release” in a remote area of East
Sooke Park. A newly installed motion sensor camera near their den hopes to confirm
the otters are weathering their first winter well.
Photo Credit:
Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator
Read more...
War on wolves – hunting
contest in northern BC sparks controversy
 Decades of bounties and
poisoning reduced wolf populations to the point of extirpation in much of North
America, but with the species’ healthy recovery in BC, it is open season on the
majestic mammal in many areas of this province.
Now a hunting contest in northern
BC offering award money prizes for the biggest wolf killed takes aim at one of
our province’s most treasured wild animals. Add your voice to this issue and
find out more from Pacific Wild.
Photo Credit: Ian
McAllister, Pacific Wild
Winter recreation the
responsible way
 Winter
is a harsh season for many wild animals – and we can unknowingly add to their
challenges. Activities such as skiing and snowmobiling can disturb wildlife,
forcing animals to find new dens, roosting sites or feeding grounds. Doing so
causes them to expend more energy at a critical time when they might already be
experiencing food stress.
So
before you head out to enjoy the crisp air and breathtaking views, take a
moment to discover some ways you can minimize disturbance to wildlife.
Tormented turtle tip
of the iceberg
 Nothing personifies the plight of wild animals
kept as pets like Audrey, the Ontario red-eared slider turtle who endured
living in a bucket for 20 years in a Toronto home. Audrey ended up at Toronto
Animal Services when relatives brought the turtle to a veterinarian to be
euthanized after her owner had passed away.
According to the relatives, Audrey
had been living in the bucket since she was a tiny pet-store turtle and was fed
a diet of only egg whites. As she out-grew her space, her shell deformed and
she suffered severe malnutrition.
Thankfully, compassionate rescuers provided
expert veterinary care and Audrey now has a permanent home with Little Res Q, a Toronto-based
turtle rescue organization. At least Audrey’s horrific story has a happy
ending. Research published in the August 2012 issue of The Biologist found that at least 75 per cent of pet snakes, lizards,
tortoises and turtles die within their first year in peoples’ homes. A
staggering finding given that these species have life-spans ranging from eight
to 120 years in the wild.
Photo credit: Little
Res Q
Got fur? Yes real fur
- to give back to the animals!
 If
you have noticed more real fur featured in fashion magazines lately, you are
not the only one. Sadly, this trend goes through cycles and it seems this
winter both new and vintage fur coats are all too common. The BC SPCA is
opposed to the killing of animals for fur that is used in clothing, fashion and
art.
So
it’s time to give fur back to the animals! Yes that’s right, Wild ARC will
accept old fur coats or hats to be used as bedding for injured and orphaned
wildlife.
Help save wildlife like this baby mink with the fur in your or your
grandmother’s closet. Contact Wild ARC directly to make
arrangements to drop off items at your local BC SPCA branch for transfer.
Photo Credit:
Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator
Important upcoming
wildlife meetings and events
If
one of your resolutions for 2013 was to get more involved with wildlife, there
are a number of upcoming wildlife meetings and events that can help you achieve
your goal:
And stay tuned for more information on the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Symposium that the BC SPCA
Wild ARC will be co-hosting in Victoria in early November 2013.
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