Wildlife Care
At AWI, wildlife care means timely intervention to save the life of an injured, displaced, or orphaned animal. The process begins when someone reports a bird or mammal in distress. We advise the caller on how to contain the creature safely and then, if appropriate, send out a trained recovery specialist to secure and transport it to our care facility near Sackville, New Brunswick.
We examine each animal for signs of injury, disease, or parasites and arrange for appropriate veterinary care and medication as required. We also provide food, shelter, and opportunity for exercise to speed recovery. In the case of orphaned large mammals, such as moose or bear, this can mean a commitment of as much as 12-18 months of care before release.
Some animals require rehabilitation before returning to their natural habitat. We have over a dozen buildings on our site and these are designed for specific types of wildlife care. Our wildlife care buildings are constructed with mostly donated material and have been built by several years of Youth At Risk program workers.
One of our larger buildings, the flight aviary, is 102 feet long and is used to condition larger birds prior to release. Incorporating spaced vertical boards on its walls, it is designed to replicate the flickering light patterns of the forest. Two sets of alternately placed internal doors force the birds to move laterally, for wing strength development. This is the only facility of its size in eastern Canada.
In order to maintain science-based standards of wildlife care in the region, AWI is leading the creation of a wildlife response network, focusing on the following activities: building regional animal-handling expertise through training and educational programs; building and maintaining comprehensive databases; research; assisting in establishing best practices and procedures; coordinating and managing resources for responding to wildlife emergencies; and providing continuous monitoring and evaluation of regulatory standards. We are always open to partnerships with organisations who share our vision.
Here’s a summary of 1687 cases handled at AWI since 1996:
| Orphaned (mother killed, missing, nest destroyed, or human interference) | 49.2% |
| Collision (vehicle, building, window, powerline) | 25.5% |
| Unknown cause of injury or displacement | 11.0% |
| Attacked by other animal (cat, dog, other predator) | 6.0% |
| Illness | 3.0% |
| Weather related displacement | 2.3% |
| Entanglement (string, trap, fishing line, etc.) | 1.7% |
| Gunshot | 1.0% |
| Oil | 0.3% |
Basics of Wildlife Care
For help or consultation with a wildlife emergency, contact the provincial or state wildlife authority that operates in your area. You can contact the Atlantic Wildlife Institute by calling 506-364-1902.
Springtime is the busiest season at AWI, because of the large number of new-born or newly hatched wildlife that people encounter. If you find a baby bird or mammal that appears to be in distress, here are a few general DO's and DON'Ts to guide your action:
DO HELP:
- if there is an obvious injury (blood, broken bone, difficulty moving).
- if a cat, dog, or child brought the baby home.
- if you know the baby to have been alone for at least two days
- if you find the parent bird or mammal dead nearby.
Appropriate help means: placing the baby in a warm, quiet place, away from animal and human activity. Then call for advice on care, feeding and what to do next.
DON'T HELP:
- a baby bird that can hop, run or fly short distances.
- a baby bird whose parents are seen nearby.
- a baby mammal you have not watched for several hours.
- any mammal that is unusually tame, aggressive or uncoordinated.
If present, its own parents are the best guardians of a healthy wildlife baby. Don't rush to intervene. Sometimes parents leave their young for several hours while foraging. 'Rescuing' a baby you don't know to be abandoned could be very harmful.
Even the best-intended 'rescue' can be dangerous. Frightened animals may bite, kick, or scratch. Many wild creatures also carry diseases and parasites that attack humans. Always wear protective gloves and wash carefully after handling wildlife. If a bird or mammal is sick or acting strangely, leave it alone. Keep people and pets away. Call for knowledgeable advice and trained assistance.