Wildlife
Rehabilitation Update - 1996
(The Following is an
abbreviated version of a newsletter sent to those involved in Wildlife
Rehabilitation in the Province.)
The Year in Rehab!
| This past year, Salmonier Nature Park received a total of 123 incoming injured, orphaned or problem animals. This number, as usual, was comprised mainly of birds, and included 29 raptors, 5 waterfowl, 8 seabirds, 42 passerines and 6 other birds. Of these 90 birds, 27 succumbed to their injuries. This includes 9 birds that were dead on arrival at the Park. Another 16 birds were euthanized due to the severity of injuries. Thirty-four birds were rehabilitated and successfully released and 3 non-releasable birds were donated to other zoological parks. |
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An additional fifteen birds, all waterfowl, were received from the
Canadian Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Division. These were birds confiscated from
individuals who had removed them from the wild and were not in possession of federal
aviculture permits.
A number of our successful bird releases captured media attention over the past year. Of
note was the February recovery at St. Mary's Bay, and subsequent release in March at
Houston, Texas of a Purple Gallinule. This transfer was a joint effort between Salmonier
Nature Park and Cindy Eckart, of the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition. A second
prominent release story which attracted attention was the recovery of two injured adult
Bald Eagles by Wildlife Division staff at Pasadena. These birds were examined by Dr. Mike
Slana at Pynn's Brook, and then transferred to the Nature Park. Following a two-month
rehabilitation period at the Park's flight cage, these birds were banded and released
together in December at St. Mary's Bay.
There were only two incoming reptiles and amphibians over the past year. These included a confiscated Milk Snake, which because it is not included in the list of exempted species in Schedule C of the Wild Life Regulations, is considered an illegal import under section 58 of those same regulations. The park has adopted a new policy regarding Red- eared (Slider) Turtles. It is widely accepted that this species is incapable of establishing feral colonies in this Province. It also is now common in local pet stores following repealing of the prohibition imposed by the Provincial Department of Health. For this reason, we will no longer accept the species. We advise that anyone wishing to rid themselves of a Red-eared Slider to do so through the usual pet trade routes. This policy applies only to Red-eared Sliders, and since there are a number of turtle species that are capable of establishing feral colonies here, we will still respond to reports of these species.
| The remainder of our incoming animals were 16 mammals. This included 15 injured or orphaned animals and 1 animal (a raccoon) confiscated under section 58 of the Wild Life Regulations. Of these 16 animals, 7 died of their injuries, 4 were euthanized due to the severity of injury and 5 were successfully released. In late May, we received two orphaned moose calves, but neither animal survived despite our attempts to hand-raise them. One of these calves made the evening news when it was stolen by youths who entered the Park illegally. This animal was retrieved some hours later. It is possible that the stress and rough handling involved with this incident may have contributed to the animals death five days later. |  |
Following a mail-out in October, most participants in the Rehab Network have renewed. The Network now consists of nine participants. This number is expected to rise in 1997. Following correspondence with the NLVMA late last year, that association will be briefing its membership on our network and other issues of mutual concern in the realm of wildlife rehabilitation. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of inquiries from private individuals who wish to become involved in rehab.
