|
Dear friend,
As 2011 comes to an end, another monumental year for wildlife passes. Wildlife rehabilitation centres saw record numbers of patients due to the late spring, short summer and late fall. Human-wildlife encounters dominated the media this summer. There were a high volume of phone calls placed to BC SPCA branches and other agencies across the province, citing unusual wildlife activities.
We have always wanted to launch a provincial e-newsletter highlighting the importance of wildlife issues and events in B.C. Upon its release in August this year, WildSense was greatly received by almost 3,000 supporters and we hope that you continue to spread the message of humane interactions with wildlife by encouraging others to join WildSense in 2012.
All the best for the holiday season!
With appreciation,
Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services
PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.
The tale of two barred owls
 Wild ARC sees many owls throughout the year. Most are adults or older juveniles, often hit by cars or entangled in fencing. This year however - two young barred owls - still of nesting age, were brought into care a week apart in June.
During their five month journey in care, they recovered from their weak conditions and learned how to fly and hunt. They were banded and released together on November 25 just outside of Victoria and rehabilitation staff regularly visit the area to check on their progress.
Your support of the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre makes happy endings like this a reality. Thank you!
Photo credit: Melanie Gordon, Wildlife Rehabilitator
More...
The perfect gift for wildlife enthusiasts – easy and eco-friendly
 Looking for the perfect gift? Our wild animal care sponsorships are both an easy and eco-friendly option for the holidays or for any occasion year round. The new online program just launched offers a beautiful e-card or printable card showcasing images from our annual wildlife photography contest, and can be personalized for your gift recipient.
Gifts of $25, $50 and $100 are tax deductible and support the care of special wild animals at Wild ARC; the ideal gift for someone who has everything, lives at a distance or just loves wildlife!
Photo credit: Richard Coulson
More...
Christmas bird count
 Over 300 species of birds breed in B.C., more than any other province in Canada. Sixty-five of these species breed nowhere else in Canada. Unfortunately, bird numbers are rapidly declining all over the world, some by as much as eighty percent over the last forty years, this according to the Audubon’s bird count data.
We know birds are in decline because of the annual compilation of data collected by tens of thousands of volunteers who participate in an annual bird census – known as the Christmas bird count – every December across the Western Hemisphere.
To learn how you can get involved in B.C.’s count, visit the Federation of BC Naturalists.
Photo credit: Rebekah Maitland
More...
Eagle viewing in Brackendale
 One of the special winter wildlife activities not to be missed along B.C.’s south coast is eagle viewing. Although there are numerous locations where eagles gather en masse to feed on salmon carcasses, Brackendale in the Squamish River Valley is an incredible sight. Thousands of eagles congregate along the river banks during the winter months, and it’s well worth braving the cold weather for a walking tour.
Photo credit: Dawn Robinson
More...
No winter break for wildlife rehabilitators
Baby season may be over, but wildlife rehabilitators across the province are still hard at work.
Often, orphaned babies arriving at centres at the tail end of summer are still too small to be released. Many must be cared for over the winter, meaning higher food costs for their long stays.
 Centres also tend to see more injuries from vehicle collisions during the winter months, as days are shorter and wildlife are harder to spot on the roads. Injured animals may require a lengthy stay to recover. Furthermore, winter weather can be hard on caging and equipment. Pipes can freeze and heavy snow can damage cage roofs.
Why not help give wildlife rehabilitators a break? Consider collecting much-need supplies or donate a gift card from local hardware store for those repairs.
Photo credit: Steve Schweighofer
More...
Welfare Tip: Reject fur-trimmed clothing
 Did you know that many fur-trimmed jackets and other fashion accessories are trimmed in dog or cat fur? It is estimated two million cats and dogs are slaughtered annually in China, Thailand and the Philippines to meet the demand. But don’t bother checking the product label. Under the Canadian Textile Labelling Act manufacturers are not required to label garments made with pelts or hides. Labelling is only necessary if the fur fibres are removed from the skin and woven with textile fibres. And even those with labels are misleading, as dog fur is passed off as “wild dog or wolf.”
To close this loophole, Vancouver East MP Libby Davies introduced Bill C-296 in September which would amend both the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Textile Labelling Act. Australia, Switzerland, the United States and the European Union have outright banned products that contain dog and cat skins and furs.
Bill C-296 would ensure explicit and clear labelling in Canada. To support this legislation write to your local MP. One email takes only a few minutes of your time, but it is counted as representing hundreds of like-minded citizens, while a hand-written letter will represent even more.
More...
|
![[object Object]](http://support.spca.bc.ca/images/content/pagebuilder/12775.bmp){kind=small}
