Search Results

One of NIWRA’s main goal is to educate the public about wildlife and environmental issues. Discover & Learn Immerse your class in an environment that promotes observation, inquiry, and critical thinking. School Visits 2025 Group Tour Update See our work in action! Video Archive Videos Youtube Channel Use our free K-12 classroom video, "Animals Among Us" to learn about Invasive Species and more! Watch the Free Video Free Resource Wildlife FAQs Animal in distress Litter kills wildlife Avoid rat poison Found a baby animal Unwanted pet turtles Click the bullet points below to find out some interesting information about wildlife: Birds attacked by cats Invasive species Responsible Sportsperson Wild 'n Free Articles BY SYLVIA CAMPBELL Learn about animal behaviour, habitat, adaptations, and more from local wildlife expert, Sylvia Campbell. Go to articles Black Bear Rehabilitation In 1997, NIWRA made the decision to construct and manage a bear program for Vancouver Island bears. A captive-bred bear named Knut came to the centre and helped us perfect the design and operation of our facility by teaching us about: the care and feeding of bears bears' hibernation habits how to mimic an environment in which bears can thrive the influence of human contact, known as imprinting, on animals Read More black-bear-programs Bear Cub Program When a bear arrives at our recovery centre it means something has gone terribly wrong in the wild. Each year, orphaned babies are brought to us, and although we are completely captivated by these adorable, helpless, little creatures, we also feel sadness at the death of their mother. Without its mother, a baby cub has no chance of survival in the wild. Read More Raptor Rehabilitation Thanks to our salmon streams and forests, BC's west coast is one of the few remaining strongholds for bald eagles since they provide good breeding grounds and a place to spend the winter. One of the greatest threats to the survival of BC eagles involves human activity, which can include: gunshot wounds collision with vehicles electrocution lead poisoning from ingesting lead pellets We are happy to report that NIWRA is able to rescue, rehabilitate, and release most of the 50 - 60 eagles brought to us each year. Read More

Find out all that goes on behind the scenes and in the news here at NIWRA. In Other News Filter by Story Category Click here to Subscribe to our Latest Stories!

Animal Care & Facility Technician Animal Care & Facility Technician (full-time ) The Organization: North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, a world-class wildlife rehabilitation centre, located in Errington, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, cares for ill, injured and orphaned wildlife, and educates the public on wildlife and environmental issues. The Position: The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is accepting applications for a full-time Animal Care & Facility Technician to join our team and support the maintenance and operation of the Centre. The position works under the direction, support and supervision of the Operations Manager and Animal Care Supervisor. Summary of Role: As an Animal Care Technician, you will be responsible for: ensuring safe wildlife intake and transportation to the facility; assessment of the animal's needs during intake and throughout its care; daily food preparation and nourishment of all animals in care; providing daily medical care and administering medications; and cleaning all animal enclosures. You'll also be responsible for communicating with the public about wildlife in need of rescuing. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This position requires a mature and responsible person that works well both within a team and independently and can readily adapt to changing circumstances. It is physically demanding and requires attention to detail. Animal Care: below are examples of Animal Care duties Follow feeding protocols and diet formulas for birds and other animals in rehabilitation. Move injured animals in and out of the enclosures for cleaning or according to the needs of the animal. Clean all enclosures each day and ensure the facility is hygienic for birds, animals, staff and the public. Assess the birds and animals in care each day and report any changes to the supervisor and obtain instructions for change in medical care/ medications. Follow treatment protocols for all birds and animals in rehabilitation. Euthanize animals, when required, under the direction of the Wildlife Veterinarian and/or Animal Care Supervisor. Adherence to all safety protocols in the administration of medications and medical care to birds and animals. Adherence to all safety protocols when carrying out any required medical procedures in the care of the birds and animals (i.e.: radiographs, cleaning of wounds & enclosures). Cleaning, mopping and preparing the facility for the next day. Animal Care Safety Protocols You are required to follow the below safety protocols: When in an animal/bird enclosure, you must wear: a HARD HAT and PROTECTIVE GLOVES. Masks are optional but are available. Animal Intake: below are examples of Animal Intake duties Each morning when you arrive, you will be responsible for checking the phones and determining if there are any messages from the public with respect to injured wildlife. You will call them back and retrieve/ provide information about rescue. When obtaining information from the public about injured animals, you will inquire about: the location, description of bird/animal, potential risks/hazards, if there will be a helper available on site. Rescue of injured and wounded wildlife (assessment of any dangers prior to rescue, minimizing stressors to animal, securing the animal in crate, securing the crate for transportation). Providing instruction to any helper at the rescue site of the safety procedures and limited role they have in supporting the Animal Care & Facility Technician during the rescue. Adherence to all safety protocols prior to and during transportation (following speed limits, safe driving practices, securing crate to avoid shifting). Collaboration with and cooperative/respectful attitude when working with animal rescue/transport volunteers. Must be able to work on short notice and in emergency situations. Help ensure safety of the public and of resident animals. Upon arrival at the centre, assessment of the injured bird/animal. Ensure that after each intake the recovery rooms are ready for the next bird/animal. Animal Rescue and Transportation Safety Protocols You are required to follow the below safety protocols: When participating in a bird/animal rescue, you must have and wear: a net and protective gloves, as well as protective eyewear and masks, when necessary. Care of Facility: below are examples of Facility duties As part of the Animal Care team, maintain washrooms, Museum, Learning Centre, Treatment Centre, Recovery Room and Eco Centre. Assist Yard Foreman with site maintenance duties as required. Open/Close the Gift Shop and Eco Centre, turn off alarms for volunteers in the absence of Executive Director. Participation in Education Programs: Work alongside Education Volunteers with educational birds and programs. Provide information to the public. QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Must have a valid BC Driver’s license with clean driving abstract (proof required) and reliable transportation. Must be able to fluently speak and write English. Must be willing to get a Police Information Check as a condition of employment. Must be in excellent physical health. Must have WHMIS or be willing to obtain certification as condition of employment. Excellent “people skills” and communication capabilities. Must be able to follow direction well. Excellent time management. Willingness to learn and grow into roles with more responsibilities. Willingness to follow strict protocols and procedures. Excellent teamwork skills and good work ethic. Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the organization HOURS, WAGES AND BENEFITS Full Time Hours: 40 hours per week - working weekends Wage: $24.00 per hour to start, with raise and health benefit package upon successful completion of probation period. To apply: Please email cover letter, resume and 2 references (at least one from a workplace) to wildlife@niwra.org Attention Joyce Lee . Please write Animal Care & Facility Technician in the subject line. We appreciate all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We reserve the right to close vacancies early depending on the number of applications received, so you are encouraged to submit your details as soon as possible if you are interested.

~wildlife education~ In the dead of winter, most of us are lucky to have heated homes and warm clothes to keep us cozy, but how do wild animals survive in frigid conditions?   Photo credit: istock.com/   Byrdyak Many animals hibernate or go into “winter sleep”. During hibernation, an animal appears to be dead and its heart rate and body temperature and movements slow down.  Creatures like the jumping mouse, little brown bat, and some species of ground squirrels are true hibernators.   Hibernators have regular white fat and special brown fat around the animal’s brain, heart and lungs that sends a quick burst of energy to the vital organs to let the animal know when it’s time to wake up.   Bears do not actually hibernate; instead they go into torpor.  Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Bears, raccoons, and skunks are all "light hibernators" that use torpor to survive the winter.  What is unique about bears is that they may not eat, drink, urinate or defecate for up to six months during their winter sleep. Most B.C. black and brown bears den for four to six months every year, entering the den in November or December and emerging in March or April. However, Vancouver Island bears may sleep for a much shorter time as our climate tends to be more temperate.    During torpor, the animal can wake up quickly to avoid danger, defend its territory or if there is an opportunity to feed.   Hummingbirds and the little brown bat practice another type of hibernation -- they become dormant during the day to conserve energy.  They may not have consumed enough food to get through the day, so their systems just shut down.   Brumation is another form of becoming dormant; it is hibernation for reptiles and amphibians. Ectothermic or “cold-blooded” animals such as fish, frogs, snakes and turtles burrow themselves in the mud or under leaves and rocks in the winter. Insects find shelter in holes in the ground, under the bark of trees or inside rotting logs.   You can help wildlife in your garden by leaving leaves on the ground to provide coverage for small creatures. And a heated bird bath can be a vital source of drinking water.   You can learn more about wild animals by visiting the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website . Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~wildlife education~ Wild animals face calamity from many sources.  Injuries from motor vehicles, power lines, window strikes, cat or dog attacks, wildfires and deforestation, encroachment, hunting… the list goes on.      Photo credit: istock.com/ Santi Wiwatchaikul How do you know if an animal needs help? Here are some signs that an animal is sick or injured:   ·         There is blood, wounds or swelling on the body ·         It is vocalizing and/or following humans around ·         It has been attacked by a domestic cat ·         It has difficulty breathing ·         It has a dangling appendage ·         Its eyes are closed ·         Its head is tucked under a wing.   A good rule of thumb, if a wild animal allows you to walk up to them and pick them up, they are in need of medical attention. Catching injured wild birds or animals can be tricky but here are a few helpful pointers.  If you find a small, injured bird, carefully throw a towel or blanket over it.  Gently pick it up and take it to NIWRA or your local wildlife rehabilitation centre.  Some wounded mammals can be treated in the same way.  However, if you come across injured wildlife with dangerous teeth and talons, you should get some help and not try to deal with them alone.  The occasional brave soul has brought in bald eagles on their own to NIWRA, but that’s because there was no help around.    Keep rescued wildlife in a dark ventilated box away from human contact until you can get to the rehabilitation centre.  Stress can be harmful or even fatal to a wild animal.  The animal could die of a heart attack.  Gently covering the head with a towel should calm it down.  Do not put injured animals in the trunk of your car or leave them in an unventilated hot back seat.     It is stressful for an animal to be taken away from their own species or when improper handling or feeding techniques are used.    A stressed animal may exhibit behaviour such as struggling, screaming, or biting. Parasites will flourish on a stressed animal. Stress can make an animal go into shock and die, a syndrome known as Capture Myopathy .  When rescuing an injured animal, be gentle and do your best to keep it from becoming stressed.    You can help care for future generations of wild animals by leaving a legacy in your will to a rehabilitation centre like NIWRA. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website . Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~wildlife education~ Photo credit: istock.com/John  Kevin Millions of birds die each year in North America from collisions with windows. In Canada, estimates range from 16 to 42 million migratory birds killed annually. These collisions are primarily due to birds not recognizing glass as a barrier, whether it's transparent or reflective.   In the daytime, reflected light poses a severe threat to birds. Birds can see through glass and what is reflected on glass, but they cannot see the glass itself. At night, artificial light from buildings and cityscapes are dangerous for birds. Many species of birds migrate at night in the spring and the fall, using light from the moon, the stars, and the setting sun to navigate. The bright lights of our urban areas confuse these birds. Birds migrate in the fall between August 1 and November 15. If a bird strikes your window and is stunned, give it time to rest and heal. Gently pick up the bird and place it in a ventilated box or sturdy paper bag and keep it in a quiet area protected from prowling cats for up to one hour. Watch to see if the bird flies out, making sure it won’t be towards a window. If it does not fly out, call your local wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. If a wing is drooping, you may want to bring the bird into the rehabilitation centre for care.    There are various things you can do to try to prevent window strikes at your home, cottage or business: apply decals or a tight spacing of dots to windows, hang streamers, or cover the whole window on the outside. One method that does not work is closing your curtains.  Bird proofing must be applied on the outside of the window. Window decals with UV reflecting properties which can be seen by birds but not by people may help reduce collisions. “Zen curtains” are closely spaced cords that hang down over windows. They do the work of tape or decals but are easier to install and can be aesthetically pleasing. One-way transparent film enables people on the inside to see out, but makes the window appear opaque on the outside. They can reduce the amount of light that comes into your window (and provide the benefit of reducing your cooling costs).   Many window decal options are available in the NIWRA gift shop. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website . Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!