September 2013

Dear friend,

Wow, what a summer! Such incredible weather for both people and wildlife to enjoy this year. Now it’s time to adjust to the new fall season ahead as we see the sun setting just a little earlier each night. So many interesting wildlife stories and activities happen during the busy summer, but not to worry, this WildSense issue is packed with great information about BC’s wildlife and upcoming events for wildlife supporters. Know someone else who might like to read about these interesting activities every second month? Please share WildSense with a friend.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the BC SPCA’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan survey conducted online this summer – preliminary results have been posted and we look forward to developing more preventative wildlife initiatives in the future.

With appreciation,

Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services

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

Late-season arrival of tiny baby raccoon means a winter stay

As the only wildlife rehabilitation centre on Vancouver Island that cares for orphaned raccoons, 70 of the little bandits spent the spring and summer at Wild ARC.

Just when staff were preparing to release these now juvenile raccoons this month, one little girl’s arrival in early September surprised staff and she is now the smallest bandit at the centre. Too little to be released before winter, she will have to spend the next six months in care at Wild ARC with a few other late-season arrivals, and be released next spring.

Read more...

Photo Credit: Christina Carrieres, Senior Wildlife Rehabilitator

Curious about what REALLY happens at Wild ARC?

Attend Wild ARC’s Fall for Wildlife Dinner Auction to view a film all about the facility and bid on an opportunity to be an intern for a day. This is an event you won't want to miss!

November 16, 2013, 6-10 p.m.
Four Points by Sheraton Victoria Gateway, 829 McCallum Rd
$70 per ticket or $650 per table of 10
Buy tickets online or call (250) 478-9453 (WILD)

Rubbermaid® reptiles – a risk too great

There has been a rash of incidents this summer involving seizures of reptiles which calls into question the care, handling and lack of responsibility of caregivers. The most tragic case involved the death of two young boys strangled by an illegally kept rock python in Campbellton, New Brunswick.

Scores of animals were being kept in inappropriate housing, many without necessary permits. Three incidents in Ontario involved the seizure of 45 reptiles in Cobden followed by the seizure of 40 pythons being kept in a Brantford motel and ten reptiles from a Gatineau home.

In BC, over 100 snakes were discovered in plastic containers on a property in Mission, with nearly half were being kept illegally.

All members of the public should be vigilant in reporting situations where dangerous animals are being kept illegally or with substandard care. Report dangerous animals to the BC SPCA’s cruelty hotline at 1 (855) 622-7722. See the list of provincially restricted species.

Last chance to submit your BC wildlife photos to annual photo contest

This year’s Wildlife-In-Focus photography contest closes on September 30. Amateur and backyard photographers are encouraged to get out this summer and capture images of BC wildlife in their natural settings or in backyard habitats.

What better way to explore the amazing and diverse species of wild animals that we share this beautiful province with. Of course photos taken at any time of year are welcome. Submit your photos today!

Funds raised from the contest go towards caring for injured and orphaned wildlife at the BC SPCA Wild ARC.

Photo Credit:  Dan Moore, BC SPCA 2012 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest

Who visits your bird feeder?

Are you feeding more than just birds? Bird feeders can be popular among black bears, particularly as they begin fattening up for the winter.

A pound of birdseed provides bears with roughly as many calories as a pound of berries. The difference? Birdseed can be eaten all in one place, requiring bears to expend less energy to obtain. With fall approaching, now is the time to make sure your feeders are not unintentionally luring bears.

You can make your feeders less accessible by suspending them on wire between two trees, about four metres off the ground. Cover the wire with a plastic shower rod so bears cannot grab hold, and use a long stick to retrieve your feeders for cleaning and re-filling. Learn more on how to managing attractants, including bird feeders.

Discouraging uninvited guests (the wild kind of course)

It's Autumn, time to get the home in shape for the winter. But before closing up any openings in buildings, please be sure to check for any unexpected guests.

A variety of birds and mammals can become self-designated building inspectors and get into all the nooks and crannies of a home, especially as the days get cooler.

Check out some of the humane harassment techniques that can be used to kindly encourage wildlife to move along.

Photo credit: Mary Watts, BC SPCA 2012 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest

UBC Animal Welfare program to host Born Free Foundation lecturer

The 2013 Peter Stratton Memorial Lecture in Animal Welfare will be given Tuesday, October 29, 12:30 p.m. at the University of British Columbia (166 MacMillan Building, 2357 Main Mall).

This year's lecture will be given by Chris Draper, Programs Manager (Captive Wild Animals/Science) at Born Free Foundation. Based in the United Kingdom, Chris oversees Born Free’s work on zoos, circuses and exotic pets and heads their Compassionate Conservation initiative. The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity working throughout the world to stop individual wild animal suffering and protect threatened species in the wild.

The Peter Stratton Memorial Lecture in Animal Welfare is hosted by the UBC graduate program in Animal Welfare  and sponsored by the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada.

Wild ARC to co-host international wildlife rehabilitation conference

An annual symposium to bring together wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, veterinarians, and wildlife centre volunteers for training, workshops and presentations, will be held November 4-9 in Victoria, the first time ever in western Canada.

The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council will offer a series of practical skills seminars (Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation, Wound and Pain Management), the Oiled Wildlife First Responder workshop, and a presentation series on a variety of topics including computer systems to help rehabilitators, post release studies, wildlife conservation in rehabilitation, primate rehabilitation, marmot rehabilitation, veterinarians in rehabilitation, interacting with the public, and other important subjects.

Wild ARC and other local rehabilitation centres are co-hosting the event, and a fun field trip day with centre tours is planned.

Photo credit: Joseph McKenna, BC SPCA 2012 Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest