Avian Facilities
Gazebo for most species of small birds.
A more straightforward approach than the gazebo would be this songbird flight constructed by Wayne.
These 8’x 8’ mews are perfect for rehabilitating any medium to large avian species (no woodpeckers please). They are simple to construct and the 8x8 dimension means minimal cutting and no waste. A centre could easily make use of four to six of them.
Avian Aquatic Enclosure
M Many pelagic birds (Loon above & Grebe below) have their legs set so far back on their bodies, that they are unable to walk on land. If they find themselves on land they are susceptible to painful lesions on their keels.
Many pelagic birds have their legs to far back on their bodies to walk on land. If washed ashore the weight oh their bodies causes serious lesions on their keels.
Many pelagic birds have their legs to far back on their bodies to walk on land. If washed ashore the weight oh their bodies causes serious lesions on their keels.
Many pelagic birds have their legs to far back on their bodies to walk on land. If washed ashore the weight oh their bodies causes serious lesions on their keels.
If they are kept on something soft like a towel they foul their feathers with feces and quickly lose their waterproofing.
if you put the on soft material likthis grebe, They faul there featherswith their feces and repidly lose their water proofing
if you put the on soft material likthis grebe, They faul there featherswith their feces and repidly lose their water proofing
if you put the on soft material likthis grebe, They faul there featherswith their feces and repidly lose their water proofing
Our answer was a round pool surrounded by soft netting. They may swim until they become wet from poor water proofing then climb out on the netting which is gentle on their keel and permits their droppings to fall through the netting and not dirty their feathers. Eventually through preening and swimming they once again become waterproof and releasable.
A metal greenhouse framework makes a good structure for a small to medium flight cage. It is fairly inexpensive, easy to assemble and can be purchased in varying lengths.
Spacious flight enclosures are ideal for many species of large bird. Generally, patients moving into the large flight will be coming from a mews where they have been convalescing from an injury, starving or merely in a period of observation. This enclosure is definitely on the large size, measuring 110’ in length and 20’ high. My opinion on the height of flight cages has somewhat changed. I have observed that birds with a lower roof appear to have to excercise harder to reach the other end. This enclosure had the added versatility of two sets of huge folding doors dividing the flight into equal thirds which allows different species to occupy the enclosure at the same time.
Seal Facilities
Heated Isolation tubs are the first stop for rescued seal pups.
This night was a full house with two pups in ech tub.
pups.
In these recycled bathtubs most of the life saving care takes place.
We admit a large number of orphaned and injured seal pups every summer. The influx of needy animals trickles off but continues through the winter months. Operating our pools year round had taken its toll on the equipment. A grant from the Vancouver Foundation made it possible to replace some of our aging pools. Our initial request was for funds to replace two 16 foot pools. After a lot of thought and discussion with our seal rehabilitation team, it was decided it would be more useful to replace just one 16’ pool with four 8’ pools. This quad set up functions as our nursery pools and is a far better solution than our previous, single pool. The youngest and most vulnerable of our Harbour Seal pups are safer and more easily observed in smaller pools. It is easier to keep the water clean and not all pools need be filled if fewer pups are present. Four 8’ pools use less water than 2 16’ pools.
Once the old pool was dismantled and hauled away, jack hammers and a backhoe were needed to prepare the site. A deck was constructed to allow pups access to all four pools or restricted access to any one. The deck was covered in “Dura-Deck” for long life and a non-slip, durable surface. The railings and gates were fabricated on Salt Spring Island from aluminum to resist corrosion and stay relatively maintenance free. Pools are fiber glass aqua culture pools, fabricated to order, in Nanaimo. The old filtration equipment pumps and sand filters were not replaced as we had reached our budgetary limit. Elaborate plumbing was designed and installed by our centre’s Founder.
Since completion of the project in June, 2006, hundreds of pups have called the nursery pools home. Equipped with outdoor water resistant heating pads and overhead infrared heat lamps, pups are nurtured through their most critical weeks.
Rehabilitating seal pups beyond the neonatal stage is a giant step. Large pools, numerous pumps and sand filters and many meters of plumbing and someone to manage those pools and the constant problems that are never far behind. Truckloads of herring to keep a large walk in freezer well stocked. Housing eight to ten staff and interns on site to fill the endless work hours. Yesterday I found an old work schedule that listed chores from 7:30AM until 4:AM.
Typical Seasonal Intern / Staff Schedule
Deer Pen
Crossover Avian / Mammal Facilities
A cougar, elephant seal, swan or beavers-- one never knew what species would reside in this luxury enclosure. A bit pricey, but paid for itself over and over with the beautiful animals we were able to care for.
People Facilities
One aspect of the Wildlife Centre functions very much like a small veterinary clinic. To this end we would need space for examinations, radiographs, anesthesia, a basic laboratory for bloodwork and fecal examinations, incubators and two isolation rooms for avian and terrestrial mammal patients.
The animal kitchen is the heartbeat of the centre-efficient and easy to keep clean. Meals are prepared for all species of animals day and night. It is important that separate space be delegated especially for each animal group: songbirds, raptors, mammals, seals. Adult diets differ from juvenile diets which differ from baby diets. Above, two interns prepare medication and supplements for an army of seal pups. A careful look at the two large dry erase boards tells the story...seventy seals in care!
Originally constructed as an open storage building holding half a dozen freezers and stacks of kennels, later renovated into a staff / intern kitchen and lounge, meeting room and late night hangout.
Perhaps in the future, a fundraising and educational gift gallery.
