FALL 2014 Wild Winter Hook, Line & Kite String Happy Homecoming What a waste!
Building a healthy community for people and wildlife torontowildlifecentre.com
This dramatic swan reuninon was captured by the TV crew. Perhaps it will be a featured story in our new reality television series: City Wildlife Rescue! Photos: Ann Brokelman
Message from the
Executive Director Lights, camera, action! I have exciting news to share with you. Starting in December, you’ll see Toronto Wildlife Centre in a whole new way: in a TV series!
released as soon as possible so that they don’t miss their migration, which would result in them having to spend the winter indoors with us scary humans.
We are just wrapping up filming for the first season of Toronto Wildlife Centre’s first television series. City Wildlife Rescue debuts on Tuesday, December, 30th at 9pm on Oasis HD. If you don’t get this channel, check with your cable provider. You may be able to order it “a la carte”.
Many end-of-season baby squirrels are still in our care. The youngest will spend the winter in large outdoor cages and be released in the spring.
I am thrilled that you will get the chance to see all the wild animals you are helping! Meanwhile, the day-to-day work of caring for wild animals continues. Even though it’s getting chillier outside, the centre is still busy. The songbird room is packed with bird baskets housing a variety of species of bouncing, chirping migratory birds with different medical problems and nutritional needs. We need to get them healthy and
There are also many owls being admitted now, (see Wild Winter on the next page to learn why), ranging from large great horned or barred owls to tiny saw-whet owls, who are often mistaken for babies. On their behalf, thank you for your support and Happy Holidays! Warm wishes,
Nathalie Karvonen
Thank you A snowy owl undergoes orthopaedic surgery with thanks to The Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation. Its continued support of TWC’s veterinary program makes difficult surgeries like this one possible.
“[The owl] is not scared of humans and is not flying away. I don’t know what we’re supposed to do.” transcript from initial Hotline call made on October 16th
The Story A Whitby construction crew arrived at work on October 16th to find this barred owl sitting in a planter. The owl appeared weak and shakey. A Toronto Wildlife Centre volunteer dispatched by hotline staff easily contained the lethargic bird and brought him to the centre for care. In the exam room The barred owl was dehydrated and thin,weighing only 660 grams, but was uninjured. He was given fluids and put on a starvation protocal to slowly bring his weight up safely. Soon he was eating on his own. Probable cause Barred owls live in the north and only move south when forced to look for food. This owl’s poor body condition was likely caused by a long journey and difficulty finding food in a strange new environment. Within weeks of healthy eating his weight had increased by over 100 grams, and he was strong and ready to return to the wild.
Wild Winter We can expect to see more patients like this young owl over the winter. Unable to compete with experienced elders, juveniles move into new territories in search of food. Smaller and hungrier, these young birds take more chances when in pursuit of prey. They crash into windows, fly too low across roads, and take their chances at the side of the highway. In the winter, sick and injured animals are also at risk of hypothermia and frostbite. If you see a wild animal that needs help, call Toronto Wildlife Centre right away. Wildlife Hotline: 416.631.0662
released
Taken moments after his release, wind ruffling his feathers, the barred owl seems right at home. Wild and free once again! Photo: Ann Brokelman
Hook, Line, & Kite String Abandoned fishing line, lures, and kite string injure and kill thousands of wild animals every year. It doesn’t have to be this way. In the winter, the barren landscape makes it is easier to spot and untangle fishing line and kite string from lakesides and trees.
Join us in collecting as much of this dangerous material as we can before the spring. We’ll use the material and your findings to educate the public on this unnecessary menance.
Every hook, line & kite string you take out of the wild is one less we’ll take off a wild animal.
What to do 1: Remove any materials you find, but be safe! Wear gloves if necessary and don’t get too close to the water’s edge. If you can, take photos of the litter and send them to string@torontowildlifecentre.com 2: Put materials in an envelope and send it to TWC (please wrap sharp objects carefully). Include the location that it was found. Your data will reveal any hotspots and help us focus on prevention campaigns. 3: Stay tuned. In the spring, we will display and photograph all of the recovered material to share with you and the public.
Send recovered hooks, lines and kite strings to: Toronto Wildlife Centre ATTN: Hook, Line and Kite String 4 - 60 Carl Hall Road Toronto, ON M3K 2C1 Material can be dropped off at the centre. Please put in a labeled envelope or box.
torontowildlifecentre.com/ stringcleaning
This double-crested cormorant swallowed a fishing hook and line and required emergency surgery.
Update: Newmarket Bat Colony Do you remember the colony of big brown bats we rescued last year?
A tiny brown snake found inside someone’s home is examined for injuries.
They were found huddled together outside a Newmarket mall, exposed to temperatures of minus 30c with the wind chill. The colony, which should have been hibernating, was not only at risk from the frigid air, but could also starve to death. Bat hibernation is not a true hibernation as they wake up over the winter. When asleep, their metabolism is so slow they can survive the winter on their fat reserves. In total, you helped 55 bats from the colony and 135 bats in total last winter. And we are happy to report that we released the last bat into the wild on September 24th! This snapping turtle was one of over 20 turtles hatched in care this summer at Toronto Wildlife Centre and released, just in time to hibernate in the wild. Hibernating snapping turtles bury themselves at the bottom of lake beds. They can survive for months underwater without breathing. Instead they absorb dissolved oxygen in the water through tissues in their mouth and bottom.
If you find a snake, bat, turtle, frog, toad, chipmunk or groundhog awake this winter, they likely need help! Please call TWC at 416-631-0662 for advice.
What a
Thousands of wild animals year because of the Here are 5 eas
2. Food Containers Wild animals can get their paws and heads stuck in containers trying to reach food residue. This can prevent an animal from eating or drinking. Prevent this: Wash out all food containers thoroughly before throwing them out or recycling them, including pop cans.
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4. Fishing Line, Hooks & Lures Tangled in the reeds, stuck on a log, resting on the bottom of the lake, discarded fishing gear can harm wildlife. Prevent this: Don’t leave any of your gear behind after a day of fishing, and when you see abandoned line, take it with you.
Waste!
s are hurt unecessarily every e things we discard. sy ways to help:
1. Kite String Animals can get tangled in kite string left in trees, resulting in serious injuries. Prevent this: When flying a kite, stay clear of trees and take all the string you bring (and any you find) home again.
3. Roadside Garbage
Throwing food out of car windows attracts small rodents to the roadside, who in turn attract larger species of wildlife too close to traffic!
revent this: Never throw garbage (even biodigradable items, like apple cores) out your car windows.
5. Domed Dessert Lids Plastic dessert cups seem to be especially tempting. Animals push their heads throught the small hole at the top, but when they try to get out, the lid stays on tight. Prevent this: Remove the lids from cups and cut them up before disposal. Illustration by harrisonartonline.com
Happy Homecoming!
TWC rescued and treated this young trumpeter swan for an injury caused by a fishing hook embedded in his leg. Medical staff removed the hook, and happily, it had caused minimal damage and healed quickly. Several days later, the cygnet is returned to his doting parents!
A happy reunion: The cygnet’s parents greet him with open wings
Together again: The cygnet swims away with his family, seven siblings in total
Help Feed Wild Patients Feeding wildlife in the wild can sometimes be harmful to their health and safety. But this winter, you can help fill hundreds of animals’ bellies by making a donation to help feed our patients! Toronto Wildlife Centre has over 200 sick and injured animals in care right now, each with their own special dietary requirements. Nutritious meals can make all the difference in their recovery, and your gift will give them the best possible chance to return healthy and strong to the wild. Make your donation today at
torontowildlifecentre.com/helpwildlife
For the Holidays Great gifts that help wild animals too!
TWC’s 2015 Calendar torontowildlifecentre.com/calendar Toronto Wildlife Centre’s 2015 calendar features 12 stunning photographs of wild animals that have been in our care.
TWC Holiday Cards torontowildlifecentre.com/tribute Donate in honour of a friend, relative, pet or colleague, and Toronto Wildlife Centre will send a beautiful 5 x 7” card acknowledging your gift.
Available soon on Toronto Wildlife Centre’s website!
Join the Conversation on Facebook 1,053 of you liked it, 145 of you shared it, and 108 of you had something to say about this post: “Remember the fox with mange we posted back in August? He’s just been released! Check out the before and after shots, from the day he was admitted to Toronto Wildlife Centre to the day he was brought back to the wild.” Oct 18th
before after
Be the first to learn about new patients, see release pictures and videos and get up-to-the-minute info about what is happening at Toronto Wildlife Centre. Toronto Wildlife Centre
@TWC_Wildlife
@torontowildlifecentre Photo: Michael Barker
WOW, Thank You! In 2014: You found 83 orphaned goslings new families. You relocated 15 Canada goose families (26 adults and 81 goslings) and 32 duck families (30 adults and 289 ducklings) to safer ground.
In total, you gave more than 453 ducklings, goslings and cygnets a second chance!
Exciting Volunteer Opportunity! Help the community and wildlife soar at a pivotal and exciting time of change! Toronto Wildlife Centre is seeking two new board members. See torontowildlifecentre.com/board for more information.
Wishlist
torontowildlifecentre.com/wishlist
• Baby food (creamed corn, banana and chicken) • Nuts in shell (no peanuts) • Fresh berries • Bags of unfertilized soil • Grocery store gift cards • Masking tape (1-inch)
• Black and blue pens (for medical charts) • New plastic spray bottles GREENERY URGENTLY NEEDED • Small trees, branches, twigs, leaves (no ash, please)
You can bring these items to TWC from 9am-6pm, 7 days a week. Sorry, pickup service is not available. Questions about other items? Email donations@torontowildlifecentre.com
Donate Online at torontowildlifecentre.com/donate OR BY: Cheque (made out to Toronto Wildlife Centre) OR: Call (416) 631-0662 x 3207 *For monthly donations via auto-withdrawal, please include a cheque marked void. Monthly donations are processed on the 15th of each month.
Credit Card: (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover)
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A one time gift of: $
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Release Story TWC rescue team member Sarrah and her two eager assistants release a young snapping turtle hatched in care at TWC. The boys’ family found the turtle’s mother injured at the side of the road and brought her to the centre. Likely hit by a car, she responded well to treatment and was released. But she had laid several eggs while in care. The eggs were incubated and happily, this little one hatched!
Questions about wildlife? Call our
WILDLIFE HOTLINE: (416) 631-0662 General inquires (416) 631-0662 x3205 or admin@torontowildlifecentre.com Donations (416) 631-0662 x3207 or donations@torontowildlifecentre.com 4 - 60 Carl Hall Road Toronto ON M3K 2C1 Charitable registration number: 141146290 RR0001