Dear friend,

The summer may have started off wet and cold, but the wildlife didn’t seem to mind. Once again the busy baby season has kept wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers across the province running off their feet. In fact, Wild ARC will again hit a record high intake this summer.

There are lots of ways to get involved with wildlife this summer, for example collecting berries for a local rehabilitator or participating in activities like wildlife photography or filmmaking. Some activities of course are much more pleasant to do when the sun is out, but don’t forget that rain or shine this summer, wild animals can still use your help!

With appreciation,

Sara Dubois
Manager, Wildlife Services

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

A happy ending finally for two wayward pelicans

After months of intensive rehabilitation, a Brown Pelican rescued near Prince Rupert and a White Pelican transferred from Manitoba, were released separately in June. The storybook ending was a great success for Wild ARC staff who rarely see such unusual patients.

The pelicans, who provided very necessary companionship for each other while in care, were brought to the centre under similar circumstances. Both birds were weak with infections and parasites, and the underweight birds ate ferociously kilograms of fish daily while enjoying the warmer respite for the winter and spring.

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Another record year for Wild ARC staff and volunteers

Although last year was Wild ARC’s busiest year since opening in 1997, our 2012 patient intake will make 2011 look like a cake walk! The month of May was on track to have the highest intake ever in a one-month period with 437 patients admitted. But June was even crazier with 455 critters coming through our doors! Staff, interns and volunteers braced when hitting the 1,000th patient of the year mark on June 15, almost three weeks earlier than the previous year. But little did we know that by the end of the month, 1,201 wild animals would need our care so far this year – up already 18% from our previous record-breaking year.   

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Share the fruits of your labour!

Wildlife rehabilitation centres need your help! Summer is peak animal care season. Injured and orphaned baby birds, raccoons, skunks and a myriad of other species are flooding into rehab centres including the BC SPCA’s Wild ARC. As they recover and grow they need around-the-clock care and lots of quality food.

Rehab centres are in constant need of fruits and vegetables – particularly berries – and buying them at retail prices is expensive. Donations of blueberries, cherries and blackberries as well as larger fruits such as apples and pears are welcomed – even hazel nuts for squirrels. Centres accept fresh, frozen and even canned, as long as there is no added sugar. Call ahead before dropping off foods directly at BC SPCA’s Wild ARC in Metchosin. Not living in southern Vancouver Island? Visit the Rehabilitators’ Network of B.C. to find a wildlife rehabilitation centre near you and see what they need.

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Jamieson’s Call for the Wild Contest coming soon...

The BC SPCA’s Wild ARC has been selected as one of five organizations in Canada to participate in the 2012 Call for the Wild contest sponsored by Jamieson, which benefits organizations working to protect wilderness and wildlife. You can help decide how much of the $100,000 in total contest winnings available that Wild ARC will receive by voting starting mid-August. We will be sure to send you more details the once the contest gets started next month.

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Don’t forget your camera this summer

Show off your wildlife photography skills with our annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest. Be sure to take your camera with you when exploring parks, beaches or even your own backyard this summer. Photos must be taken in British Columbia and feature free-living wild animals (not in captivity or pets) – no limit to the number of entries in this fundraiser for Wild ARC. Check out past winners and be sure to submit by September 30, 2012.

Photo credit: Jeremy Leete

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Do you know a wildlife filmmaker?

Love wildlife films as much as we do? Then let your favourite wildlife amateur or professional filmmaker know about our second annual Paws and Claws Film Festival. This is another opportunity to celebrate our amazing wildlife and entries from Canada and US are welcome in this year’s event. The call for films is open now through September 28 so please help us spread the word! 

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WILDLIFE TIP – Bee Aware

Bees are one of the world’s most important pollinators. In fact, they are responsible for pollinating a third of all the foods we eat! Bees also pollinate numerous other plants that play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Sadly, though, bee populations around the world are declining. They face a number of different threats including habitat loss, pesticide use, diseases and parasites. The good news? You can help bees, right in your own community!

• Plant a variety of flowers. Bees like visiting gardens where there are many different types of plants to gather pollen and nectar from.
• Plant flowers that bloom at different times of the year. That way, you will attract different types of bees.
• Bees have good colour vision! They especially like blue, purple, violet, white and yellow flowers.
• Plant large patches of a single type of flower. This allows bees to forage in one spot without having to fly very far from flower to flower.
• Avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can kill other insects like bees unintentionally.
• Leave some weeds! Bees are attracted to weeds like dandelions and buttercups.

Above all, be respectful! We tend to underestimate the profound service bees provide.