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If you are passionate about wildlife, volunteering at NIWRA may be a perfect match for you! We are always looking for awesome people to join our team of awesome people! Volunteer Application Here 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!

NIWRA Animal Care Supervisor, Derek Downes shares the important work NIWRA does to rehabilitate Bald Eagles on Vancouver Island. Check out BC Bird Trail on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter 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!

Story from Nanaimo News Bulletin - Tyson Whitney | photo by Cathy Anderson A black bear cub with an uncomfortable comfort level with Port Alice was plucked from a treetop yesterday in the hopes it can be safely released back in to the wild. Go to https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/black-bear-cub-rescued-from-vancouver-island-tree-taken-to-wildlife-centre/ to read the full story. 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!

A big, heart-felt thank you to everyone who sent love and concern for Rae when we lost Knut on July 20, 2021. Your care for wildlife means the world to us! Rae came to us as an orphaned, Vancouver Island Black Bear cub in 2017 with a head injury and suffering from seizures. Thanks to the specialized care she received from our Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. McAdie, as well as our dedicated Animal Care Team, Rae has done very well and has not had a seizure over the past eight months. When we first introduced Rae to Knut, our slow-moving, senior bear, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. Knut had his own routines and young Rae was determined to turn him into a playmate. Knut did his best to ignore and tell her to leave him alone, but she persistently pestered him until he finally gave in and began to play and respond to Rae’s constant shenanigans. It wasn’t long before people noticed that Knut had a new spring in his step. His increased activity level was great for his overall health and the two bears were often seen wrestling, swimming and hanging out together. When we lost Knut, Rae grieved for her companion. Fortunately, in addition to our amazing animal care team we have enlisted a knowledgeable volunteer who has a relationship with Rae to spend several hours each day with her for reassurance and companionship and help her through this challenging time. Rae is a happy bear by nature, and she is again playing, exploring her re-vamped enclosure and enjoying her special treats. She has been splashing in the big tub to the delight of everyone who works or visits here. Rae has access to a cool building where she can escape the heat of summer. Rae is a NIWRA poster girl! Her beautiful image can be seen on a highway billboard and other advertisements and publications. She is very photogenic, and we never get tired of seeing new photos of this amazing animal. We hope Rae is out and about when you come to visit. She is a delight to us all and we promise to take excellent care of her. Thanks for your support! 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!

Who could believe that NIWRA would be caring for not just one, but TWO Sacred White Ravens of Oceanside?! This young bird was found in May, 2022, almost exactly a year after Blizzard, the White Raven was admitted to NIWRA. It was found in very poor condition in Errington and brought here for help. The Sacred White Ravens are iconic in the Oceanside area and NIWRA is honoured to play a role in their story. This youngster was malnourished and full of infection, but thanks to the lessons learned and the blueprint for care developed by NIWRA's animal care team while rehabilitating Blizzard, he made a great recovery and is now quite healthy! Unfortunately, being leucistic, (a genetic abnormality) this bird is not releasable, but he has an outgoing personality and really seems to enjoy human interaction, which makes him a great candidate to be trained as an ambassador. Stay tuned for his name! It will represent his personality. How You Can Help the Animals at NIWRA Your support means the world to the animals! You can help by dropping off any of the items on the wish list below, or by making a financial contribution through our secure website. THANK YOU!

It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of our beloved black bear Knut. Born in 1996, Knut was a senior bear under the watchful eye of our Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Malcolm McAdie, owner, Robin Campbell and our dedicated animal care team. With medical needs associated with his advanced age, Knut showed a rapid decline in health this week and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 20, surrounded by people who loved him. Knut was born in captivity at the Vancouver Game Farm. His mother, also captive born, would not or did not know how to care for him, so he was brought to NIWRA weighing only 1.5 kilograms. Knut had a remarkably close and special bond with Robin Campbell, his best human-friend. Knut was hand-raised by Robin and was a cherished member of the Campbell and NIWRA families. The lessons learned from caring for this amazing animal have enabled NIWRA to develop a world class black bear rehabilitation program and helped rehabilitate and release hundreds of ill, injured or orphaned cubs back into the wild. Over his lifetime, Knut was an iconic animal ambassador at NIWRA and a favourite for caretakers, NIWRA volunteers and visitors alike. Visitors often commented that they grew up with Knut, having met him when they were young and then brought their own children to meet him. He was 'adopted' regularly by his admirers and could often be found lying on his back in his favourite spot at the front of the bear enclosure, snoring or playing with his young companion, Rae. Knut's photogenic image can be seen on many of NIWRA's advertisements and publications as well as in the photo collections of our many visitors. Knut was the focal point of our Discover Bear presentations and he helped educate thousands of visitors on the importance of wildlife stewardship and conservation. Social media posts featuring Knut and Rae always received the most likes and comments, and we know many will feel his loss deeply. We will carry Knut in our hearts and thoughts always. A special resting place has been prepared for Knut, and the public will have access to it in the future. We are preparing signage to honour this incredibly special bear. 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!

Story from CHEK Watch Local News - Skye Ryan A white raven is being nursed back to health in Errington after it was found near death in the area. With it's white feathers, a rare white raven is fascinating animal rescuers at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, as they nurse it back to health. Go to https://www.cheknews.ca/there-is-just-something-magical-about-it-rare-white-raven-rescued-in-errington-810674/ to read the full story and watch video. 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!

If you find a wild baby, this guide will help you know what to do. Remember, if you must handle wild animals, please Be Careful! Wear gloves and wash your hands before and after. 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!

Celebrate with us as a rehabilitated Bald Eagle returns to sky to be wild and free! Witness a rehabilitated Bald Eagle go from the Eagle Flight Enclosure to its pre-release check up with Dr. Malcolm McAdie, NIWRA's wildlife veterinarian. Our animal care staff walk it through the site to the Magical Field of Stone to be released to fly wild and free once again! Meet our Green Teen volunteers as they share some interesting eagle information. NIWRA is on the Brant Wildlife Festival Bird Trail List - as a great location to view birds up close, be sure to pick up your map! 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!

Do you have sick or dead birds at your feeder? You are not alone! In the early months of the year, Salmonella is a common problem at birdfeeders, however sometimes we experience a significant outbreak. Salmonella outbreaks can be the cause of mortality for some bird species such as siskins, goldfinches and redpolls and the symptoms are not always obvious: A sick bird may appear thin, fluffed up, have swollen eyelids and fecal material on its vent. Infected birds are often lethargic and easy to approach. Some infected birds may show no outward symptoms at all but are carriers of the disease and can spread the infection to others. Salmonellosis is primarily transmitted through fecal contamination of food and water. It may also be transmitted through bird-to-bird contact. What You Can Do Birdfeeder management and good hygiene is the best way to deal with an outbreak: Remove feeders immediately. Do not put feed out for birds. Wear gloves when picking up the dead carcasses and dispose of safely. Clean your feeders and birdbaths with water and a 10 percent bleach solution to kill bacteria. Rake the ground surrounding the feeders. Wait at least two weeks before reinstalling feeders (or until sick birds are no longer being reported in your area) If you resume feeding birds (after the outbreak): Discourage large flocks of birds from gathering in one location to reduce disease transmission. Rotate feeders to new locations. Remove platform feeders that allow contact between food and fecal materials. Clean your feeders with bleach and water several times per week. Be sure feeders are dry before filling with seed. For more information, please contact North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre at 250-248-8534. 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!

This spectacular female bald eagle was rescued after a collision with a vehicle. She had an injured left wing and needed a lengthy rehabilitation. Story and video by NIWRA. This spectacular mature female bald eagle was rescued after a collision with a vehicle and suffered an injury of her left wing. Due to the seriousness of her injury, she required approximately 6 months of rehabilitation to regain her strength and flying abilities in our Eagle Flight Enclosure. According to our Animal Care Team, she is a very confident and feisty eagle and will thrive in her freedom. Sally, our Gift Shop manager, was invited to participate on the release. The eagle calmly left the confines of her transport crate, went to the edge of the cliff, paused to get her bearings, spread her beautiful wings and lifted off! She flew to the top of a nearby tree to survey the landscape before her complete return to the wild... exactly where she belongs. Good luck! 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!

A bald eagle gets a thorough examination to determine the extent of her injuries. Story and photo by NIWRA. This beautiful mature bald eagle was found on the ground and unable to fly. After arriving at the Centre she was anesthetized so that a proper examination and radiographs could be performed. Thankfully there were no fractures, but there was some soft tissue damage to one wing. Her body condition was not great, suggesting she might have been on the ground for an extended period of time. Now that she is here at NIWRA we will help her build back up strength and body condition before assessing her flight and determining if she can be released. 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!

Young Gull with a bandaged wing recuperates in a safe place. Story and photo by NIWRA This Glaucous-winged Gull was brought to the center after being involved in a vehicle collision in Parksville, BC. During the incident the Gull sustained a minor head injury and a wing injury. The animal care team at NIWRA wrapped the wing for support and stability and re-hydrated the bird. After a couple days in recovery, the Gull was moved into an Intensive Care enclosure where he could stretch and enjoy a larger water basin. The wrap will be removed and the flight will be assessed before this Gull is released back into the wild, but the prognosis for this little one is very good! 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!

Story from YAM magazine - By Linda Barnard | Photo by BC Bird Trail Birdwatching is having a moment, with people around the world embracing time in nature. Luckily for those of us on Vancouver Island, there are countless opportunities for spotting our feathered friends. Go to https://www.yammagazine.com/birdwatching-growing-trend-vancouver-island/ to read the full story. 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!

Story from the Parksville Qualicum Beach News - story and photo by Mandy Moraes) In 2018, a small fledgling raven was found on the ground and brought into the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. The on-site veterinarian, Dr. Malcolm MacAdie, soon assessed that the bird was blind and that he’d been abandoned by his parents and left to fend for himself. Though still able to make out shadows and movement, it was unlikely he could ever see well enough to survive on his own. Go to https://www.pqbnews.com/community/dougal-the-blind-raven-enjoys-role-as-ambassador-at-north-island-wildlife-recovery-centre/?fbclid=IwAR2fLvyOKBySJ9ThfAmeU1MlJSBiVqQZUvVZ5w9xyKcGZvQirqDUoLAr4Dc to read the full story. 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!