Baby Beaver Swimming, Eating, and Playing AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This male baby beaver was rescued from Big Valley, where he was found huddled on top of his dead mother near a stream. When he was admitted to AIWC he was only a few days old. The tiny baby was covered in mud and dangerously hypothermic. He received immediate supportive care to raise his body temperature, and was fed special beaver milk replacer every 3-4hours. In this video, he is about 2 months old and is fully weaned. He has an indoor enclosure (where he can be seen eating at the end of the video) and is taken outside for walking and swimming once or twice each day. The beaver will stay at the center until late spring 2012. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Hoary Marmot - Success Story AIWC Wildlife 2012-09-17 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult female Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) was admitted to AIWC in May 2012. The footpads on all four feet were badly lacerated. She was sedated to allow the wounds to be cleaned and bandaged. For the next two weeks, the bandages were changed daily and topical medication was applied to the wounds. She was very feisty and incredibly strong for her size! She was released in mountain habitat in early June. Hoary Marmots are the largest ground squirrel in North America, weighing almost 4 kg. They live in colonies of up to 36 individuals, with a dominant adult male, up to three adult females, and several juveniles up to two years old. Marmots live near the tree line in mountain areas, favoring grassy slopes for grazing and rocky areas for cover. Hoary Marmots can produce an intensely high-pitched whistle, used as a warning to others within the colony. Whistler, British Columbia was named after Hoary Marmot! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca. CreditsPhotos: Katherine PedersonVideo: Barb WrightMusic: Fall - Philip Dupuy
Baby Beaver - Success Story AIWC Wildlife 2012-09-10 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This male baby beaver (Castor canadensis) was rescued from Big Valley, where he was found huddled on top of his dead mother near a stream. When he was admitted to AIWC he was only a few days old. The tiny baby was covered in mud and dangerously hypothermic. He received immediate supportive care to raise his body temperature, and was fed special beaver milk replacer every 3-4hours. In this video, he is about 2 months old and is fully weaned. He had an indoor enclosure and was taken outside to swim once or twice each day. Although the water trough is not a natural pool, it allows rehab technicians to closely monitor the beaver while he builds strength and practices natural swimming and diving behaviors. Poplar branches are submerged in the pool because these are a natural food source for beavers, and dragging browse through the water to build dams is another behavior we hope to promote. The beaver also has access to natural food sources as he walks on the lawn - he grazes on dandelions in the video. After a one year stay at the rehab center, the beaver was released in prime habitat in Southern Alberta in late spring 2012. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.CreditsVideos: Jantina McMurrayPhotos: Kevin YablonskiMusic: Peave - David Micheal, Lee Pomeroy
Snowy Owls Go Home AIWC Wildlife 2012-08-17 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581Release story: the Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus) were met in Inuvik by Fish and Wildlife officers, and were then driven to Shell Lake. Their wing wraps were removed. The first owl was released and she flew straight and true across the lake to perch in a dead tree on the other side. The second owl was still a bit groggy from her sedation and not quite ready for release, so she was kept in her crate for a few hours until she was fully alert. She was successfully released near Shell Lake as well. Now you can imagine these two beautiful owls flying free across the tundra of the Northwest Territories. When they fly South during their winter migration, perhaps they will return to Alberta and will know to avoid cars and power lines, hazards they rarely encounter up North. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca!CreditsMusic: Troubled Times - David Micheal, Lee PomeroyPhotos: Katherine Pederson, Jantina McMurrayVideo: Jantina McMurray
Baby Skunks AIWC Wildlife 2012-08-04 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581The baby skunk in this video was rescued from a yard in Calgary after her mother and siblings were trapped and relocated. The first part of the video shows the baby skunk walking on the exam table. The second part shows her exploring her indoor enclosure. The photos at the end of the video show several different baby skunks in an outdoor enclosure, prior to release. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.CreditsMusic: Summer Meadows - Adam DrakeVideo: Jantina McMurrayPhotos: Katherine Pederson, Jantina McMurray
Curious Red Squirrels AIWC Wildlife 2012-08-04 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These orphaned baby Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are very curious about the camera! One was rescued from the jaws of a cat, another fell out of it's nest, and the third was discovered in the back of trailer after a woman returned home from camping. As tiny hairless babies, they were fed special squirrel milk replacer every 3-4 hours until their eyes opened and they become fully furred. Then they were gradually weaned off milk and started eating solid foods. In this video, the squirrels are several weeks old and will be released shortly. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.CreditsMusic: Bugs - Dave HartleyVideo: Jantina McMurray
Garter Snake AIWC Wildlife 2012-08-04 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) was rescued from a bike path in South Calgary. On physical exam, firm raised bumps were palpated along the snake's back (the bumps are clearly visible in the last photo of this video). Rehab technicians suspected the snake had been run over by a bike, and thought the bumps along its back were swollen areas or minor spinal displacements. Because these bumps did not interfere with the snake's normal movements, the snake was released later that day. There are six species of garter snake in Canada, three of which can be found in Alberta. Adult garter snakes range from 45cm - 1m long, and have a lifespan of up to 15 years. Garter Snakes are not poisonous to humans, but they do produce a very mild neurotoxin used to catch prey. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.CreditsMusic: Bluebirds - Elfed HayesVideo: Jantina McMurrayPhoto: Jantina McMurray
AIWC Crowdfunding Promotion Video AIWC Wildlife 2012-08-01 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife in Alberta. Founded in 1993, AIWC provides care for nearly 2000 patients annually which represents over 230 native species of wildlife. Over 95% of AIWC's patients are injured or orphaned due to human activities. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation efforts, AIWC offers education programs to promote greater wildlife stewardship. We also provide humane solutions to wildlife conflict situations, and participate in wildlife research. AIWC receives no sustainable government funding, and is entirely dependent on private donations. More than 125 volunteers are responsible for rescuing injured animals, providing medical treatment and intensive care to patients, delivering education programs, and promoting the organization within the community. Volunteers include biologists, animal health technologists, veterinarians and certified wildlife rehab technicians. AIWC needs your help to continue saving wildlife! AIWC is currently facing a financial crisis due to increasing costs of animal food and medical supplies. AIWC's Charitable Business Number: 140416140RR0001For more information, visit www.aiwc.ca.Credits"AIWC Struggles" Airdrie Echo, May 24 2012 (http://www.airdrieecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3569305)"Animal rehab center in Madden facing a crisis" Airdrie CityView, May 24 2012 (http://www.airdriecityview.com/article/20120524/ACV0302/305249969/-1/acv/animal-rehab-centre-in-madden-facing-a-crisis)"Money woes put wildlife institute on endangered list" Cochrane Eagle, May 9 2012 (http://www.cochraneeagle.com/2012/05/money-woes-put-wildlife-institute-on-endangered-list)"Platt: Centre's on the verge of extinction" Calgary Sun, May 13 2012 (http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/05/13/platt-centres-on-verge-of-extinction)Bittern photo: "Residents donate to give rare bird a lift" Rocky View Weekly, Nov. 30 2010 (http://www.rockyviewweekly.com/article/20101130/RVW0801/311309982/residents-donate-to-give-rare-bird-a-lift)Patient photos: Jantina McMurray, Katherine Pederson, Duane Sefton, Janna SoRelease photos: Jantina McMurray, Dianne Wittner, Josee-Anne Otis, Katherine PedersonEducation photos: Jantina McMurray, Amanda FrostThank-you photo: Josee-Anne OtisMusic: The Chalice by Adam Drake, Richard Bundy
Snowy Owl Flight AIWC Wildlife 2012-05-22 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult female Snowy Owl was rescued near Brooks. She was hit by a car and suffered a double fracture of her right wing. After three months of rehab, she is finally able to fly again. In this video, she flies from one end of the enclosure to the other to exercise her wings and gain strength. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Juvenile Muskrat Eating AIWC Wildlife 2012-03-21 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile muskrat was found stranded in a parking lot and has spent the winter at AIWC. He will be released once all ice melts from the streams and lakes. In this video, the muskrat enjoys munching on mealworms and nuts. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Snowy Owl Feather Lice AIWC Wildlife 2012-02-22 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This male Snowy Owl was severely emaciated on admission to AIWC, with a dislocated left shoulder and badly bruised left elbow. He also had a very heavy infestation of feather lice, especially visible around his eyes and beak. Feather lice feed on feathers, skin, and blood and are usually not harmful to the bird. The last half of the video shows a close-up view of two feather lice through the lens of a microscope. Sadly, this owl died as a result of his injuries. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Hawk Physiotherapy AIWC Wildlife 2012-01-04 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile Swainson's hawk suffered a fractured right wing, probably due to collision with a vehicle. His wing was bandaged for several weeks while the fractured bone healed. Once the bandage was removed, his right wing was very stiff because it has been immobilized for so long. This video shows the early phases of the hawk's physiotherapy to restore strength and flexibility to his injured wing. An AIWC volunteer encourages the hawk to fly around his indoor enclosure to stretch his wing and use his flight muscles. Later stages of physiotherapy will involve manual stretching of the wing to ensure that full range of motion is regained. This young hawk will be released next spring, when all the Swainson's hawks have returned to Alberta from their annual migration to Argentina. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Beaver Eating AIWC Wildlife 2012-01-04 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This male beaver was rescued from Big Valley when he was just a few days old. He was found huddled on top of his dead mother near a stream. The tiny baby was covered in mud and dangerously hypothermic. He received immediate supportive care to raise his body temperature, and was fed special beaver milk replacer every 3-4hours. He has been raised at AIWC since July, 2011 and is doing very well. He is currently housed in an indoor enclosure for the winter, with a large pool and a wooden house. In the spring, he will be moved to an outdoor enclosure for a few weeks before being released. In this video, he is eating lunch while a volunteer cleans his enclosure. The noises he makes while eating sound like a crying baby - these are actually normal beaver vocalizations which mean he's happy! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Saw Whet Owl Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-10-30 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This little Saw Whet owl crashed into a window and suffered severe head trauma, which made him unable to stand or feed himself. In this video, AIWC volunteers force-feed him small pieces of cut-up mouse. Saw Whet Owls are one of the smallest species of owl in North America, weighing less than 100g! Thanks for watching!
Little Brown Bat Eating AIWC Wildlife 2011-09-14 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This Little Brown Bat was rescued from Okotoks, where people had been trying to kick him. He stayed at a vet clinic overnight, so was very hungry and dehydrated when he was admitted to AIWC. He weighed 6 grams. In this video, a staff member feeds him mealworms and gives him water from a small syringe. A volunteer restrains him by pressing his tail down gently. The wildlife rehabilitation permit issued to AIWC prevents the center from rehabilitating bats. Since this bat was not injured, he did not receive any medication and, after a quick snack, was promptly returned where he was found. Bats use echolocation to navigate and find food. Echolocation involves emitting calls out to the environment and listening to the returning echoes as the calls bounce off nearby objects. Echolocation calls are not audible to human ears, so the squeaking sounds the bat makes in this video are noises to tell predators to stay away, not echolocation calls. Note: although rabies is extremely rare in Alberta bats, all AIWC staff and most volunteers are vaccinated against rabies. Only rabies-vaccinated people handle bats, and always with gloves on. Never touch a bat with bare hands! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Injured Wildlife Radiographs AIWC Wildlife 2011-09-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This video features a collection of radiographs (X-rays) of injured wildlife. AIWC has an X-ray machine and developer on site, so staff can take radiographs of patients with the assistance of a veterinarian or animal health technician. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Short Eared Owl Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-09-06 | This adult Short Eared Owl was admitted to the center because he was blind. Blindness made him unable to feed himself. In this video, he is tweezer-fed small pieces of chopped up mouse, and eye drops are administered to reduce eye inflammation. Shortly after this video was taken, a veterinarian diagnosed this owl with bilateral retinal detachment -- this means that the photosensitive cells at the back of both eyes had peeled off. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition so this owl was euthanized. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Crossbill Eating AIWC Wildlife 2011-09-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult male White-Winged Crossbill flew into a window. He suffered head trauma and was unable to fly despite having no wing injuries. In this video, he eats spruce seeds out of green spruce cones. Crossbills get their name from their distinctive beaks where the mandibles cross at the tips. This beak shape is an adaptation that allows them to extract seeds from conifer cones. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Baby Red Squirrel Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-10 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This baby Red Squirrel was rescued from a farm outside of Calgary. He was weak and lethargic when he was found behind a quonset, with no sign of parents. He is about 5 weeks old. In this video, he is fed special Red Squirrel milk replacer from a small syringe. When he is finished eating, he likes to explore his surroundings. This squirrel will stay in rehab until late summer. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Fawns Bottle-Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-10 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These white-tailed deer fawns were admitted to the center for various reasons. Some were attacked by dogs or coyotes, some were rescued after their mother was killed, some were found weak and lethargic, and one got stuck on a barbed wire fence. Sadly, a few of these fawns were kidnapped by well-meaning people. Kidnapping of fawns occurs because mother deer leave their babies hidden in the grass all day, and come back briefly at dusk and dawn to feed them. This is because the fawns have very little scent and are unlikely to attract as many predators as an adult deer would. When people find the tiny fawns lying in the grass with no sign of the mother, they often assume the babies have been abandoned. However, if you find a fawn that has no obvious signs of injury, please leave it where you found it -- mama deer will come looking for her baby later! In this video, the fawns are bottle-fed special White-Tailed Deer milk replacer three times per day. Some fawns are trained to suck from bottles in the bottle rack, while other fawns are not yet trained and must be hand fed. These fawns are about 2-3 months old, and are eating grass and leaves in addition to their milk formula. They will be released in early fall. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Marigold (Skunk) Eating AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-07 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581Marigold is one of AIWC's educational ambassadors, which means she lives at the rehab center permanently and attends educational programs at schools and other events. She is 8 years old. She came to the center as an orphaned baby after she fell into a window well and could not escape. When she was housed with other baby skunks, they bullied her and pulled her hair out. Little Mari therefore had to be raised alone and became so habituated to human contact that she was not releasable. She lives in her own room at the center where she has plenty of toys and plenty of places to curl up for a nap. For enrichment, she is taken outside for a walk when the weather is nice. Mari currently has advanced lymphoma, a type of cancer, so she is retired from her educational ambassador duties. She is given medication that reduces inflammation and helps treat the cancer. Throughout her illness, she has continued to be active and has a very healthy appetite which shows she is not in pain. In the beginning of this video she is eating her supper and at the end of the video are photos of her sleeping on her fancy leopard-print bed. AIWC loves you, Marigold! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Merlin Catching and Guarding Food AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile male Merlin was rescued from High River because he was an orphan. In this video he is just over one month old. This video shows the merlin snatching dead mice and guarding them from the other Merlin in the same enclosure. He spreads his wings to conceal his prey and makes loud, threatening calls. Merlins are actually a species of small falcon. Merlins normally catch their prey in the air, including songbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies, but will occasionally catch mice. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Ferruginous Hawk AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile male Ferruginous Hawk was rescued by an oilfield worker in Cessford. A Fish and Wildlife officer retrieved the hawk and transferred him to AIWC. He had a badly fractured left tibiotarsus (shin bone). Dr. Weger and Dr. Wilkinson at Calgary North Vet Clinic generously volunteered to perform surgery to realign the fractured bone. Shown at the beginning of this video are radiographs of the hawk's leg before surgery and pictures of the surgical wound and splint post-surgery. The middle of the video shows the hawk being tubed fluids to prevent dehydration -- a slender tube is passed through the esophagus to the stomach and fluids are administered by syringe. The end of the video shows the hawk being fed. He has a voracious appetite! He is able to support some weight on his injured leg. This hawk's recovery will take a long time, so he will likely stay at the center until next spring. Ferruginous hawks are the largest hawks in North America, and they are an endangered species. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Northern Flicker Eating Mealworms AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult female Northern Flicker suffered severe spinal trauma and is unable to stand. She is supported by a rolled towel to prevent her from falling over. Despite her injury, she has a very good appetite and this video shows her eating mealworms. Northern Flickers are a type of woodpecker. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Least Weasel Eating and Drinking AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile male Least Weasel was rescued from a cat attack in Cochrane. Although he did not have any wounds, he was treated with antibiotics to prevent infection because cats' mouths are full of bacteria. In this video, he is eating small pieces of chopped up mouse. He also drinks from the tip of a small syringe. He will be released after a short stay in rehabilitation. Least weasels are the smallest carnivore in North America, and are capable of killing prey 5-10 times their own weight! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
White Tailed Prairie Hare Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581Most of these White-Tailed Prairie Hare leverets were either rescued from being attacked by cats, dogs, crows, or magpies, or kidnapped by well-meaning people. Kidnapping of baby hares occurs because mother hares leave their babies hidden in the grass all day, and come back briefly at dusk and dawn to feed them. This is because the babies have very little scent and are unlikely to attract as many predators as an adult hare would. When people find the baby hares sequestered in the grass with no sign of the mother, they often assume the babies have been abandoned. However, if you find a baby hare that has no obvious signs of injury, please leave it where you found it -- it's mother will coming looking for it later! The leverets in this video are 3-4 weeks old. They are being fed a special hare formula. All hares (adults and leverets) are highly stressed in captivity, so AIWC staff take care to be very quiet when feeding the baby hares. These hares will be released when they are 3 months old, after they have been weaned. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Hummingbird Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult female Calliope Hummingbird suffered head trauma after she flew into a window, which left her unable to fly. In this video, she is fed a mixture of sugar water and special protein powder through a syringe. Hummingbirds have a very fast metabolism, so they must be fed every 30 minutes. At the end of the video, a staff member wipes the hummingbird's beak and chest to prevent the build-up of sticky residue in her feathers. Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest bird in North America and Mexico, weighing just 2.5 grams. Hummingbirds have a heart rate more than 1200 beats per minute! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Red-Tailed Hawks Eating AIWC Wildlife 2011-08-06 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These are juvenile Red-Tailed Hawks that were rescued from the Springbank Airport in mid-May. Their nest was located on the communications tower and was destroyed because it was interfering with signal transmission. The hawks were admitted to the center only a few days old, but in this video they are about 2 months old. The hawks are seen in a large outdoor enclosure that enables them to practice flight and navigation skills. They are each fed a variety of prey animals three times per day. In this video, the hawks enjoy their afternoon meal. The hawks' shrill calling noises demonstrate natural communication in which the young hawks tell their parents they are hungry. Also, this video demonstrates that raptors are incredibly fastidious -- watch the hawks use their beaks to clean their talons, and wipe their beaks on perches, stumps, and even weeds. These hawks will be released in late summer. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
White-Tailed Prairie Hare Release AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-28 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This adult male white-tailed prairie hare was rescued from south Calgary, where he had tumbled into a basement undergoing renovations. He had a 3cm deep gash on his hind leg, with small fragments of pelvic bone embedded in the muscle. The wound was flushed, the bone fragments were removed, and the wound was sutured. After a course of antibiotics and several weeks in the rehab center, this hare was released in a grassy habitat near a small lake. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Great Horned Owl Release AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-20 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This two year old female Great Horned Owl was found with her feet totally frozen to the skimmer arm of a water treatment plant in southeast Calgary. The plant operator sprayed water on her to thaw her out and managed to get her loose. She recuperated at the wildlife rehab center for several days, and was released in southeast Calgary near where she was originally found. Normally, raptors are released by restraining the bird, removing it from the box, setting it on the ground, and backing away. However, this owl was so eager to be free that she leapt out of the box before a volunteer could catch her! She was released in mid-February, which was important to allow her to participate in owl mating season. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Bald Eagle Release AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-20 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This bald eagle was set free near the rehabilitation facility. It was a gorgeous sunny day as the eagle made a single powerful lift into the air and headed west. In mere seconds she vanished from view, headed towards the Rocky Mountains. She had suffered from lead poisoning and was initially rescued by a Fish and Wildlife officer. She went through chelation therapy at the rehab center, and made a full recovery in just under a month. Many scavengers, including raptors and carnivorous mammals, can get lead poisoning from eating carcasses that were killed using lead shot or lead bullets. Ammunition made from material other than lead is much safer for wildlife. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Baby Magpie Feeding AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-20 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These seven magpie nestlings were rescued from Calgary in early May after their nest was removed from a construction site. They are about 1 week old in this video. They are syringe-fed baby bird mush, a formula specially designed to meet the nutritional requirements of rapidly growing nestlings. The babies are fed mush every 30 min. The behaviour shown in the video is called gaping, where the baby birds open their beaks and stretch their necks out to receive food from their parents. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Porcupine Eating AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-20 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This juvenile porcupine was presumed to be orphaned after he was observed alone for several days in a Calgary backyard. There was no sign of the mother, and the baby was rescued when he started to become weak from lack of food. He came to the center only a few days old. In this video he is about three months old and is almost weaned. In the first part of the video, the porcupine's indoor enclosure is visible and he is eating a variety of vegetables as well as grass and foliage. In the second part of the video, the porcupine has been taken outside. He is normally taken outside for a half hour walk once or twice per day. He loves to chew on dandelion leaves and spruce needles. He will be moved to an outdoor enclosure in mid-July, and will be released in late summer or early fall. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Beaver Release AIWC Wildlife 2011-07-20 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This female beaver was rescued from south-central Alberta and released in prime beaver habitat in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. She was released in mid-May. She was a very large beaver, weighing nearly 65 lbs! Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Great Horned Owlets AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-15 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581There are two Great Horned Owlets in this video. One fell out of its nest near Strathmore, and the nest was too high to allow volunteers to put the owl back (any baby bird that has fallen out of the nest can be returned to the nest unless it is injured.) In the video, the first owlet demonstrates a typical owl fear response when the cage door is opened for feeding: clicking the beak, hissing, raising wings and puffing up feathers to appear larger. The second owlet is seen at the very end of the video, perched beside a stuffed Great Horned Owl that is used as a "foster mother" to orphaned owlets. These two owlets will not be released until next spring. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Baby Porcupine AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-15 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This baby porcupine was presumed to be orphaned after he was observed alone for several days in a Calgary backyard. There was no sign of the mother, and the baby was rescued when he started to become weak from lack of food. He came to the center only a few days old. In this video, he is about a month old. Baby porcupines are born with soft quills, but these quills harden and become very sharp a few hours after birth. He is fed milk made from powdered milk replacer formulated specially for porcupines. He is taken outside for a walk in the sun once or twice each day, where he likes to dig in the dirt and eat grass and dandelion roots. This baby porcupine will stay the rehab center until late summer or early fall. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Red Fox Kits AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-14 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These three red fox kits are orphaned siblings. Their parents were shot and killed, so a farmer used traps to rescue the kits. They are about 5 weeks old in this video, which means they are close to weaning. In the video, the fox kits get fed their afternoon meal. They are given three dead mice each plus a bowl of milk made from powdered fox milk replacer. They are fed three times per day, and may receive dead gophers or hare meat instead of mice. They are also given peas and corn once per day because foxes are omnivores. Play fighting between kits observed in the video is natural behaviour, honing their skills in hunting and building muscle coordination. These kits will be moved to an outdoor enclosure when they are fully weaned, and will likely be released late summer or early fall. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Red Tail Nestlings AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-14 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581These two Red-Tailed Hawk nestlings were rescued from the Springbank Airport . Their nest was located on the communications tower and was destroyed because it was interfering with signal transmission. In this video, the nestlings are about 2 weeks old. They are tweezer-fed chopped up whole mice, about 1 mouse per nestling. They are fed four to five times per day. The smaller hawk regurgitates a pellet half-way through the video. Hawks slowly digest the softer parts of their meal (meat), and then regurgitate the harder, indigestible materials (bones, fur) in the form of a pellet, just like owls. However, it is important to feed whole food including bones, since the bones provide a necessary source of calcium to the growing nestlings. These babies will stay at the rehab center until late summer. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Franklins Gull Release AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-14 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581This Franklin's Gull was rescued east of Airdrie, hopping on a gravel road along the edge of a pond. His left wing was drooping and he was unable to fly. Physical exam revealed a fractured left clavicle. His wing was wrapped with a figure-eight bandage to stabilize the fracture. After the bandage was removed, he was given cage rest. When the fracture had fully calcified, the gull was moved to an outdoor enclosure where he had plenty of room to fly which allowed him to improve muscle condition and regain his flight ability. In this video, the Gull is released near the pond where he was originally rescued. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
Fostering Goslings AIWC Wildlife 2011-06-14 | Please donate to AIWC: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?charityID=s48581The two Canada Goose goslings in the foreground are orphans. They are not siblings and were rescued from separate places in Calgary. After staying at the rehab center for a few days, an AIWC staff member took the goslings to a lake near the center to be fostered to another goose family. The goslings were held on the shore, and their peeping attracted the attention of a goose family across the lake. This family already had three goslings that were about the same size as the two orphans. The family slowly made their way across the lake. Near the shore, one parent stayed with the babies while the other parent came within 10 feet of our staff member, who then released the goslings. Watch what happens as the goslings join their new family! Fostering goslings is ideal because the goslings do much better in a natural environment and family group than they do in captivity. However, fostering has very strict criteria, some of which include: the new family must have goslings the same size as the orphans and the new family must be willing to accept new goslings. Thanks for watching! Visit www.aiwc.ca.
