Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
story by Ellen Kelly, photo by Dan Kelly
On a quiet property northwest of Airdrie, a cluster of grey buildings and outdoor pens provides safe haven for injured and rescued wildlife.
Founded by wildlife biologist Dianne Wittner in 1993, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) provides care and rehabilitation for casualties from throughout the province and Northwest Territories.
With a core staff of professionals and supplemented by a large contingent of dedicated and passionate volunteers, including veterinarians, technicians and biologists, AIWC provides expert care. In September 2009, the institute became a registered veterinary clinic, the first and only such clinic for wildlife in Alberta.
Between baby and migration seasons (May 1 to Sept. 30) the centre can see 200 patients at any given time, with roughly 2,000 animals being treated in a year.
From May to early summer, a problem that regularly arises is what AIWC terms 'kidnapped babies' - young animals 'rescued' by well-meaning people who think the babies have been abandoned or are in distress, when in actual fact they are not. If possible call AIWC for advice before rescuing baby wildlife. "And don’t worry that your scent will deter the mother from taking them back. That's a myth," Wittner says.
The centre's goal is to return wildlife to its natural habitat and strict guidelines are in place for each release. "For example," says Wittner, "if we raise a baby owl, it has to be a good hunter, a good flier and in good condition. Every animal has a protocol and has to meet the criteria before being released."
And it's never hard to let them go. Staff and volunteers become attached, especially to long-term patients, but, Wittner says, "Once you've seen a hawk fly free after coming back from a busted wing, or a lead-poisoned eagle that has survived, it's exhilarating."
Seven-year volunteer Heather MacEwan Foran agrees. "Seeing animals released back into the wild is the cr‘me de la cr‘me," she says.
At any given time there are approximately 120 active volunteers engaged in construction, clinic work, rescue, educational support, office duties, fundraising and serving on the board of directors. "Sometimes it's really hard to be optimistic about the world but when you work with the volunteers here who have big hearts, who never stop giving, it restores my faith in human beings," says Wittner.
Prospective volunteers provide contact information by Jan. 1 of each year, attend information sessions and, if committed, fill out applications and go through the training process. No one is allowed to handle animals without training. Once they've begun, volunteers tend to stay a long time. "We have volunteers here who have been with us since day one," says Wittner. "When you work with these magical creatures, it's addictive." A volunteer rescue driver since 2004, Dan Measor says, "I love it. I've put on 300,000 kilometres."
AIWC offers educational programs for adults and youths. Workshops and seminars are presented to community groups, university students and wildlife professionals. Youth programs are conducted in schools and presented to organizations such as Junior Forest Wardens, Scouts and Guides.
"We want to educate people on how to live with wildlife peacefully so we can minimize the damage that we do," says Greta Millenaar, board of directors chairman and 16-year volunteer.
And volunteers learn as well. "I'm more aware. I wouldn't notice the nature around me so vividly if it wasn't for my experience at AIWC," says three-year volunteer Susan Bessant.
A recent initiative, the wildlife hotline, operates on the concept that since humans live among wildlife, they need to find a way to peacefully coexist. The hotline provides a service to both urban and rural residents who have problems with wildlife living too close. Instead of resorting to extermination or relocation from which many don't survive, hotline volunteers alter the premises so that, for example, the problematic skunk, or any other skunk, can't inhabit that space again. The animal finds another home and continues contributing to the community and the homeowner's problem is solved, all for less expense than calling an exterminator. "Proceeds go to charity - it’s a win-win situation," says Wittner.
AIWC is both a registered charity and a non-profit organization that operates on funds from fundraisers, grants, corporate sponsors, private donations and memberships. People can also 'adopt' or sponsor the care of a specific animal. By contributing a fixed amount determined by species, supporters receive an adoption certificate with a colour photo, a case history and a tax receipt.
More than 95 per cent of wildlife treated are victims of human interaction. Power lines are the biggest killer of birds of prey; barbed wire fences, busy roads, environmental toxins and pesticides cause many casualties.
The biggest challenge faced by AIWC is fundraising and awareness and Wittner estimates that for every animal brought in, there are probably 100 who need help. "We need to get the word out and let people know what their options are," she says. "We need to save more animals because there are a lot more out there to be saved."
AIWC is open 365 days a year between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. for wildlife calls. Visitors are welcome, but must call ahead and arrange a time. This year's open house will be held June 26 - anyone interested is asked to call 403-946-2361 in advance to reserve a spot. For wildlife concerns, call the hotline at 403-946-2361 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, year round.
For more information on AIWC, phone or visit the website at www.aiwc.moonfruit.com
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