Want to Work With Wildlife?

We talk with Canadian Conservation Corps participant Max Muehlen

Do you love to be outside in nature? Love helping wildlife creatures? You’re going to be so jealous of Max Muehlen! He recently got back from a trip with the Canadian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he hiked through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Since he’s been back, he’s been working hard to help rehabilitate wildlife at Hope for Wildlife in Seaforth, Nova Scotia. Want to follow in his footsteps? Keep reading!

What made you decide to sign up for the Canadian Conservation Corps?

MM: It was a great chance to broaden my own experience with the awesome adventure in the mountains and the work placement, but it also meant giving back through community projects.

When you found out that your team, Group 5 (called the Mountain GOATS), were going to be hiking through the Rockies, were you nervous or excited?

I was a little bit of both! I was jumping into an experience I’d never had with 11 people I’d never met in a province I’d never been in! That was definitely a little nerve-wracking, but I think excitement certainly won out.

What was the craziest thing you experienced during your hike through the Rockies?

MM: The weather! One of our guides told us that in six years, our group had the most challenging weather she had ever worked with. It rained and snowed on us almost the entire time and truly tested our patience. I learned a lot about perseverance through it though! And it was worth it. At one point, we did a day hike with an optional extension up to the top of a place called Guinn’s Pass. I hadn’t been sure about doing the extension but when we reached the top, we were rewarded with some of the best views of the trip. There was a beautiful lake down below and valleys all around. The mountains! The clouds! It all took our breath away.

Did you have any wildlife encounters?

MM: We did see some neat animals like some adorable American Pikas, but what jumped out at me was all the animals you could hear. One of our group members, Josh, is a big fan of birds, and he was great at pointing out all the different calls that we were hearing and what birds those calls came from.

What did you miss most after the adventure was over?

MM: Ending the adventure was definitely bittersweet. While it was good to be back home, warm and dry, the experience was something I’ll never forget. Our group bonded throughout the hike, rising to challenges and supporting everyone. We came together as a big family, and I still miss spending my days with an amazing group of people in such a beautiful place.

I hear that you’re now doing a placement with Hope for Wildlife in Nova Scotia. I’m curious — what draws you to wildlife rescue?

MM: There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the life of a wild animal. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for animals to be hit by cars or fly into windows. And of course, they also face dangers in nature too. Without the amazing work that Hope Swinimer and her wildlife rehabilitation and education centre at Hope for Wildlife, there wouldn’t be help for most of these animals. I am currently doing a lot of care-and-clean shifts both indoors and outside, cleaning an animal’s unit or enclosure and delivering their food. I’ve got to syringe-feed a baby porcupine, give seabirds a swim, and give playtime to animals like Pippi the ferret.

Pippi sounds fantastic! What other kinds of creatures are at the centre?

MM: A bit of everything! From turtles, pigeons, squirrels, beavers, rabbits, porcupines, gannets, and gulls, to Great Horned Owls, Bald Eagles, Saw Whet Owls, a Bobcat, a Purple Gallinule (lost from Florida!) and the cutest skunk that is also part of Hope for Wildlife’s education animals on the weekends. I think I have always had a healthy respect for all sorts of wildlife, but my respect for birds of prey like owls, eagles, and hawks has certainly been reinforced since working here. From the “whoomp” noise of an eagle taking off, to being up close and personal with the sharp claws of a Great Horned Owl, it gives you a new perspective on the power that these birds have.

What was the neatest rescue you’ve experienced so far? Any interesting or heartfelt stories you can share?

MM: The coolest rescue animal I’ve worked with so far has to be Frankie the fox. Frankie came in when she was very small after being hit by a car. She was injured and blinded from the accident. Through months of hard work, Frankie began to recover, and while some vision problems mean she can’t be released into the wild, she is now one of our education animals and is absolutely beautiful now. She runs around her unit in the most graceful way. Had it not been for the work of Hope for Wildlife, Frankie never would have made it.a