Great Horned Owls released back into their enviroment
Kelly, a representative from Wildlife Haven, was on a mission in our area last week!
They released two orphaned Great Horned Owls, who had been in their care for 56 days, back into the wild where they will use the skills learned while in the rehabilitation centre to thrive and eventually raise their own families.
According to Kelly, they have already released five Great Horned Owls this year, with the yearly average being ten. Great Horned are the most common owls they have received, but they have also rehabilitated Great Grey, Long and Short Eared and Saw whet owls, releasing them back into their natural environment.
Kelly went on to say that Wildlife Haven is one of only two rehabilitation centres in Manitoba. They are currently in the high point of the season with many orphans being cared for before their release back into the wild.
Wildlife Haven is a registered charity that opened its doors in 1984, and according to its website, has cared for over 55,000 creatures of various shapes, sizes and species.
They feature a fully credited wildlife veterinary hospital with a full time veterinarian, operating room and diagnostic equipment to allow for a rapid response to the needs of injured and ailing Manitoba wildlife. There are also several Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators to assist in the aid and rehabilitation of the creatures in care.
Although their motto is – Rescue. Rehabilitate. Release. They do so much more!
They are also very big on educating the public on how we can ‘share a peaceful coexistence with wildlife.’
They host workshops, presentations, and forums at the Wildlife Haven facility as well as in classrooms, introducing ‘Ambassadors’ who are for a variety of reasons, unable to be released back into the wild.
Unfortunately, due to space restrictions and other viable concerns, they can not take in the following animals: elk, moose, mice, deer, skunk, bears, fish, raccoon, invertebrates, or wolves.
If you have found an injured or orphaned animal, before doing anything else, contact Wildlife Haven at 204-202-3806 for more information on how to proceed in helping the animal in question. Their phone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Injured animals are usually in pain and will bite. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the safety of the animals and the people trying to assist. Also keep in mind not all babies are orphaned.
PHOTO CAPTION: Two young great horned owls were released back to the wild at Pleasant Valley Golf Course on June 26th. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
