FALL 2015 You are helping birds survive a dangerous journey It’s not easy to outfox a fox Happy Howloween! Not just for the birds
Building a healthy community
Message from the executive director Dear Friends, The nights (and sometimes days) are getting chilly now and, like clockwork, the wildlife world is getting ready for winter. And we’re getting ready too! Staff and volunteers at TWC are working extra hard to get animals ready for release before it’s too late in the season. For some, like the teeny little smooth green snake (weighing in at only half a gram!), it’s already too late. He comes from several hours north of the Toronto area, so others like him would already be tucked away in their hibernaculum (the winter quarters where snakes hibernate). He will spend the fall and winter at TWC munching on miniscule insects and worms, and be released as soon as warmer spring weather arrives. The sky is filled with fall migrants, even though we don’t often see them– birds of all shapes and sizes, bats (like the red bat on the cover), and even butterflies are making their way south to warmer climes. We are seeing less and less of our local wildlife who spend the winter hibernating, as they get more sluggish and start to seek out leafy or muddy spots to brave the freezing temperatures. But lots of wild animals still need our help. Some juvenile wild animals have a tough time making the transition to life on their own at this time of the year. Today our rescue team is monitoring a young bald eagle who is struggling. Because of your support, if he needs help we’ll make sure he gets it. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it’s going to be another brutally cold winter–which means it’ll be tough on wildlife again. But after two especially harsh winters we are getting used to it, and we know the types of calls we’re likely to get from far and wide as wild animals get into trouble. Because of you, we’ll be ready to help. Thank you!
Nathalie Karvonen
Photo credits: Ann Brokelman (page 2 top, page 3 top, page 8 centre)
Moments after release This Cape May warbler was admitted to Toronto Wildlife Centre after hitting a window in downtown Toronto. Thanks to you, she’s back on the road again flying to the Caribbean to spend the winter. Unlike other warblers, the cape may warbler has a tubular tongue (like a straw) used to suck up nectar and juice from fruit.
You are helping birds survive a dangerous journey During fall migration billions of birds across North America head south for warmer wintering spots. It’s a dangerous journey, and many never make it, flying into windows along their migratory route.
A blackburnian warbler admitted after hitting a window is prepared for an x-ray. Medical staff suspect the bird may have a fracture.
You are helping to mitigate these deaths. This year you have already helped over 36 different bird species admitted for injuries sustained from a window hit.
It’s not easy to out-fox a fox Nine fox kits rescued because of your gift A fox kit wanders down a North York suburban street unaware that Toronto Wildlife Centre Rescue team members Stacey and Daniel are following him. They have to be careful not to get too close and risk the fox bolting away. Oily duck The stakes are high: the fox has mange and won’t survive without treatment The fox is one of a family of nine kits all suffering from mange (a skin parasite), seen by North York residents who call Toronto Wildlife Centre for help. Stacey watches the fox’s movements closely. He disappears between houses on the street, travelling through backyards and popping out on the street further away. They lose sight of him at these points, but based on Stacey’s understanding of fox behaviour, she and Daniel each move ahead to the places she thinks the fox will come out.
“Mange in foxes is so heartbreaking because it is easily treated, but they are so smart that they are difficult to catch. Without treatment, they usually do not survive.” - Julia (Hotline team leader)
Your donations keep the Rescue Team on the road 7 days a week responding to wild animals that desperately need help. Thank you!
Stacey uses brown paper to hide the trap and make a curious fox feel as safe as possible Setting a trap: The red circle indicates a small hole that a fox kit ran into during a rescue attempt. With a homeowner willing to check the baited trap often, they set it directly in front of the hole. They catch two fox kits using this method.
The strategy pays off The fox walks out from a backyard near Stacey. She gives him a wide berth and moves slowly up beside him. When she is close enough to use a net (slightly behind the fox and to the side), she swings the net as fast as she can in one quick movement, placing it just slightly ahead of the fox. If she misses, the fox could disappear into the maze of backyards where they cannot follow. Happily, the kit runs straight into her net and they bring him back to the centre for care. And he is just the first. Over the next week the rescue team, with the help of the local community, captured nine foxes using a combination of baited traps, and tracking and netting. They didn’t want to leave a single fox kit behind. Generous people like you enable our Rescue Team to carry out lifesaving efforts that can sometimes last for days. Your support and their perseverance meant all nine fox kits were eventually rescued and treated for mange. They were released back to the wild in two groups (some needed more time to recover) in the middle of September.
This fox has already been treated for mange and is on the road to recovery, but his gorgeous red fur and bushy tail still need to grow back
Happy Howloween! Read these sp
Silent predators of the sky Owls have incredible hearing and, thanks to the design of their feathers, can fly silently. Prey won’t know an owl is above them until it is too late!
Reversible feet You’ve probably noticed that squirrels run just as fast down tree trunks as up them. This is because they can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees. With back feet now facing forward, they dig their sharp claws into the tree and essentially hang by their back legs as they descend.
pooky wildlife facts... if you dare! Zombie Opossums Six-foot wingspan Bats are the only mammal that can fly, and they live all over the world. The smallest species is about the size of a bumblebee and the largest are giant fruit bats with six-foot wingspans.
Disembodied tail The five-lined skink (our only Ontario lizard) has a creepy escape plan. If a predator catches them by the tail, the tail will drop off and thrash around. The disembodied tail distracts the predator long enough for the skink to escape. Its tail will eventually regrow.
It’s rare, but when opossums are scared enough, they enter a defensive catatonic state (known as playing possum), and emit a slight odour of rotting flesh. In this semiconscious state, opossums look and smell dead. This is an unconscious fear response, and seems like a bad strategy to take when something wants to eat you. But as it turns out, opossums are on the right track. Movement can trigger a kill response in some predators. No movement, no attack. With hope, the predator quickly loses interest in the prone opossum and moves on.
Not just for the birds Did you know that some bats migrate too? Bats are well known for hibernating during the cold winter months, but did you know that some species of Ontario bats have a different strategy? They fly south! However, migrating bats can get disoriented among the dense highrises of the downtown core, and either get hurt flying into buildings or end up confused and grounded, unable to find their way out.
Toronto Wildlife Centre admits silverhaired, red, and hoary bats each migration season, especially in the fall. These bats are on their way to the southern United States to spend the winter. On warm nights in these southerly climates, they may continue to forage for insects throughout the winter. During cold spells, they enter a state of torpor under the leaf litter of the forest floor, in the tree canopy, or in a hollow in a tree.
Silver-haired bat
WINTER WILDLIFE TIP If you find a bat on the ground unable to fly, or awake inside during the winter, don’t touch it with your bare hands. Contain it by placing a plastic container, like a clean Tupperware or margarine tub, over the bat. Poke some holes in the lid with a pencil, and slide it under the tub to close the container. Then call Toronto Wildlife Centre at (416) 631-0662 for advice.
Birdfeeding 101 Bird feeders are fixtures in many backyards and can give wild birds a bit of help during a long cold winter. To ensure your bird feeder gets an A+, keep these tips in mind: 1. Commitment
A ready source of food may encourage birds to rely on your feeder instead of finding and defending food-rich winter territory. Don’t put up a feeder if you plan to go away over the winter or have someone take care of it for you.
2. Easy to maintain
Make sure your feeder is easy for you to take apart and clean. Birds that would not normally be in contact with one another will visit your feeder, increasing the chance of disease spreading. Clean your feeder every two weeks at least, and don’t add new seed on top of older seed.
3. Plan ahead
Ultimately, the best way to attract birds to your garden is to provide natural food sources and habitat by planting native bushes, trees and flowers. Shrubs (like elderberry) and conifers (like pine) provide fruit and seeds for birds that don’t migrate in the winter, like blackcapped chickadees and cardinals.
4. Choose wisely
Diets vary from species to species. Use the birds you already see in your backyard to help inform your seed choices. Always pick good quality seed.
Invite a Toronto Wildlife Centre animal ambassador into your classroom—it will be a day your kids never forget Through real-life stories and thought-provoking activities, Toronto Wildlife Centre’s classroom presentations will inspire students to learn more about the urban ecosystem and promote understanding and compassion towards their wild animal neighbours. For more info or to book a presentation, please call (416) 631-0662 x3220 or email education@torontowildlifecentre.com Meet a snapping turtle up close, but not too close! Toronto Wildlife Centre presentions emphasize respect for wildlife, including keeping a safe distance.
Toronto Wildlife Centre’s education program is made possible through the generous support of Ontario Power Generation.
We wrote the book on it
Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife So many of you have suggested we write a book about the the work that we do at Toronto Wildlife Centre. When educational publishing company Firefly Books approached us to write about wildlife rehabilitation from an insider’s perspective, we couldn’t say no! Appropriate for ages nine and up, Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife is available in hard cover ($19.95) and paperback ($9.95). You can buy your copy at Toronto Wildlife Centre and at major booksellers (in store and online). Royalties earned will support the care of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
Author Julia Coey with book
For the holidays Gift Cards 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. Choose from 7 cards, including this limited edition fox in the snow, at torontowildlifecentre.com/tribute
Trick or mealworms! Mealworms are just one of the tasty treats wild patients in care at Toronto Wildlife Centre could eat this Halloween. Nutritious food is crucial for a wild animal recovering from an illness or injury. Your donation will help treat an animal in care to a delicious and nutritious meal. It’s scary how much they need you!
Donate
Online at torontowildlifecentre.com/donate OR BY: Cheque (made out to Toronto Wildlife Centre) OR: Call (416) 631-0662 x 3207
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Fall Wishlist
• Freshly fallen acorns • Pine cones • Straw bales • Tree stumps • Branches • Cedar boughs • Ultraviolet B reptile lights • Unsalted nuts in shell
torontowildlifecentre.com/wishlist
• Pillow cases (unfrayed) • 8 1/2 x 11 white office paper • Pneumatic framing nailer, 3.5” • Air compressor • Gift cards (Lowes, Home Depot, major grocery stores)
You can bring items to TWC from 9am-6pm, 7 days a week. Questions about items? Email: donations@torontowildlifecentre.com Visit: torontowildlifecentre.com/wishlist
Questions about wildlife? Call our
WILDLIFE HOTLINE: (416) 631-0662 General inquires (416) 631-0662 x 3205 or admin@torontowildlifecentre.com Donations (416) 631-0662 x 3207 or donations@torontowildlifecentre.com 4 - 60 Carl Hall Road Toronto ON M3K 2C1 Charitable registration number: 141146290 RR0001