WILDNorth in ‘crucial’ need of public donations
Influx of animals needing care over the winter puts financial strain on hospital
A four-month-old orphan beaver has taken up residence at WILD North Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation after he was rescued with serious leg injuries in Wetaskiwin. Baby Sawyer has recovered from his injuries but will need extensive care for about two years before he can be released and live on his own, prompting a crucial need for donations to the non-profit centre.
The furry beaver was six weeks old when found walking down a Wetaskiwin road dragging his legs with a severe injury, WILDNorth director Dale Gienow said during a media visit to the rehab centre Thursday.
“Unfortunately we don’t know where he came from, we don’t know where his parents are and beavers don’t readily accept other beavers into their families, so we’re unable to foster him,” Gienow said. “That means we have to keep him for two years, the prerequisite time a young beaver would be living with parents before it would leave and be on its own.”
The new long-term resident poses significant challenges for the organization, including anticipated thousands of dollars in costs for larger accommodations, filtration systems and lodges, Gienow said.
Sawyer is one of three rare beaver patients WILDNorth has treated in 2018 but the only one who will require an extensive stay.
“He’s starting to build little dams and lodges and move sticks around. He’s learning how to swim properly,” Gienow said as Sawyer, named for his species’ woodworking tendencies, splashed around in his enclosure. “He loves to tote around his little stuffed baby beaver we’ve given him … and the noises they make are adorable. We call them the most selfish animals around because they make a noise that sounds like ‘Me! Me! Me!’”
The popular beaver is one of 20 animals currently being housed by WILDNorth over the costly winter months, but Gienow said this number is expected to rise with an influx of birds.
Overwintering is costly to the small charity and requires significant funds through public donations, said Gienow, noting the month of December is an ideal time to donate with the Fionn MacCool’s City Centre location matching donations, up to $10,000. The organization hopes to raise between $50,000 and $60,000 over the course of the winter.
“Winter is a very hard time for us here,” said Gienow, estimating more than 3,000 animals will have been admitted to the wildlife hospital throughout 2018. “We have a lot of animals that we’re overwintering, which comes with considerable costs associated with looking after these animals.”
As for Sawyer, Gienow said he is currently thriving in his environment and is on track to make an independent return to the wild in two years. The organization is hosting a holiday fundraising event Dec. 14 and donation information can be found on its website.