September 25, 2017This summer, the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) on Vancouver Island admitted a rare patient – a Marbled murrelet! Marbled murrelets are seabirds who spend the majority of their lives on the ocean. They are incredible divers who forage for small fish and invertebrates using their wings to propel them through the water. …
Continue reading “Marbled murrelet flies to freedom”
News Category: Wildlife
September 12, 2017When the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) rescued a Swainson’s Thrush this past week, the shy and secretive songbird could not have known it was the 40,000th wild patient treated by the facility, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this summer. Now, the Swainson’s Thrush is the face of thousands of wild animals the …
Continue reading “Beloved songster rescued: Wild ARC admits 40,000th patient after two decades”
News Category: Wildlife
September 7, 2017The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) and the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) are seeking leave at the British Columbia Supreme Court to intervene in the Vancouver Aquarium’s lawsuit against the Vancouver Park Board. The aquarium’s lawsuit aims to invalidate a bylaw passed by the Park Board that bans …
Continue reading “BC SPCA and VHS seek leave to intervene in Vancouver Aquarium lawsuit against City of Vancouver Park Board”
News Category: Wildlife
August 15, 2017The BC SPCA is applauding the provincial government’s move to end British Columbia’s grizzly bear trophy hunt. Announced Monday by Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson and in a B.C. government release, the ban will take effect on Nov. 30 throughout British Columbia, after this year’s season. “The decision …
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News Category: Wildlife
July 20, 2017Living on the West Coast, residents of Southern Vancouver Island are familiar with the wind storms that can cause damage to property and landscapes but we often forget the impact these storms can have on our local wildlife. On May 23, one such wind storm blew through Victoria and is believed to be the reason …
Continue reading “Oak Bay eaglet reunited with family”
News Category: Wildlife
July 5, 2017The public is warmly invited to join internationally known neuroscientist and researcher Dr. Lori Marino to learn more about a ground-breaking effort to create a new ocean sanctuary for former captive whales and for the rehabilitation of wild cetaceans in need. She will speak on the Whale Sanctuary Project on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 …
Continue reading “Public lecture to highlight new seaside sanctuary option for cetaceans”
News Category: Wildlife
May 22, 2017In early June of 2016, Wild ARC received its first orphaned river otter of the season. This young female was found in a dog park in Duncan and was in distress as she was following people and vocalizing. An attempt was made to reunite her with her family, but there was no sign of the …
Continue reading “Rambunctious river otters splash into spring”
News Category: Wildlife
May 19, 2017Like other owls, Great Horned owls are opportunistic when it comes to nest and nest site selection. In fact, they do not build their own nest, but rather re-use those abandoned by other birds such as eagles, hawks, herons, crows and ravens. In some cases, these nests are not in great condition and can fall …
Continue reading “A false nest for future generations”
News Category: Wildlife
May 16, 2017The BC SPCA is applauding the Parks Board decision to ban the display of cetaceans at the Vancouver Aquarium as a significant move forward for animal welfare. “In the past 30 years, new research has emerged on the complexity of cetaceans and their ability to communicate, to create social bonds and to demonstrate cognitive abilities …
Continue reading “BC SPCA applauds Parks Board decision on cetacean ban at Vancouver Aquarium”
News Category: Wildlife
March 21, 2017From bison to bears to bighorn sheep, it’s no secret that Canada is home to some amazing wildlife. Each year, millions of people visit our national parks, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of these iconic species. “This mass appeal has a downside, however,” says Meghann Cant, BC SPCA animal welfare educator. “It can …
Continue reading “Celebrating Canada 150”
News Category: Wildlife