North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
1240 Leffler Road V0R 1V0 Errington, BC

We have been receiving regular calls about sick or dead birds at bird feeders. There is an outbreak of Salmonella right now. Here's what happens and what you can do at your feeders.

Isn't mother nature the best artist? Can you guess who these guys are, or their species? **Update** Thanks to those who participated. Identities are in the comments below each photo.

On a Raven roll! Here's a fun smile from Trickster to start your week. He really lives up to his name and is always so entertaining and vocal. NIWRA became his home in 2008. He had been raised in captivity for some time and had also suffered a broken wing. Because of his injury and being imprinted, he could not be released.

Ralph and Lonan are always so fun to visit. They're kind of looking like rock stars in the first photo! You can usually hear their tunes in the parking lot as you're entering NIWRA. Very vocal! Ravens make many different kinds of calls, varying from a low, gurgling croak to harsh grating sounds and shrill alarm calls. Scientists have placed their vocalizations into as many as 33 different categories based on sound and context. ~The Cornell Lab

We're open this weekend, and every day, from 9-4:30! We hope you can drop on by! These guys will be on the look out for you...

Our Animal Care Team do such amazing work every day. Thanks to them for sharing this little guys story. He is in good hands. This little Barred Owl came to the NIWRA after a vehicle collision in Qualicum Beach. Lucky for this fellow, it sustained no fractures, but did have a bit of a head injury. He was treated with injectable anti-inflammatory medication to control swelling on his brain and had to be assist fed at first. We are happy to report he is now doing great and well on the road to recovery! Below are photos of him receiving his injections and being assist fed. We will be sure to update you when it is time to be released back into the wild!

Wow! Christmas is almost here - honestly! No doubt some of our celebrations will be different this year - and our shopping traditions will be different too. We have a great gift idea and you don’t even have to leave your home! Why not adopt one of these adorable guys for someone on your list. It’s easy to do and you have price/mailing options. Check it out! Thank you for your consideration and support! https://www.niwra.org/adoption-animals

Happy Sunday! In case you wanted a break from all the unsettling news, here's some light reading to go with your coffee... A cool fact about the Bald Eagle - it is the only eagle exclusive to North America! And, as we’re sure you know, the Bald Eagle is the national bird of the USA. It’s interesting that King Alfred’s clan is so much more spread out. In fact, the Golden Eagle is the most common official national animal in the worldit's the emblem of Albania, Germany, Austri...a, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.~ CornellLab It has only recently (1940’s) become a breeding raptor along the southeast coast of Vancouver Island.

Hey, are you looking for an excuse to visit these guys and their buds every week? We've got a plan and it's a win/win! We're looking for Gift Shop Volunteers for 4 hours a week; retail and Point of Sales system experience required. Check out our link below Thank you! https://www.niwra.org/give-volunteer

Good morning! You up? We're open! These guys are pretty cool to visit and learn about too!

Stop by and take a look at the Insulated bottles and Travel mugs designed by indigenous artists we have in the gift shop. The bottles hold 17oz. for $ 28.79 and the travel mugs hold 16 oz. and are $19.99. All proceeds from sales stay here at the centre!

Oh, these two just can’t help but make you smile, right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW3CtkUWwGI

Happy October! Our Animal Care team do such amazing work! Take a look at just some of the care they gave over the summer. https://youtu.be/rCQhd1Qup7s

There are many gifted volunteers here, this is a small sample of the artwork and knitwear that we carry in the gift shop, so many things to choose from. All proceeds from sales stay here at the centre.

Room Service! Animal Care staff member, Derek interrupts Knut and Rae's cuddling in their den to give them their favourite treat - berries!

Just a few random photos - outtakes, fun, and a photobomb! We'd love to hear your captions!

The Wildlife Garden is looking beautiful - so many plants still in bloom. The Garden is the brainchild of long-time NIWRA volunteer Dr. Lynne Brookes, who developed the concept and made it a reality in 2015. It showcases native plants and non-native plants that have been successfully introduced, with a special focus on providing a supportive habitat for pollinators (birds, bees, butterflies etc) and other micro wildlife as well as a pond and bog area.

Ralph and Lonan were having a sharing moment yesterday! It was so nice to see. Ralph looks happy that Lonan now has the gift! They are such great friends.

Um, ahem, Sandor, just a little wipe of the beak, bud! That's ok, you're still handsome. Happy Saturday! It's going to be a nice day so why not drop on by!

This beautiful Orca was made by Macklem Designs and is available to purchase for $89.00 in the gift shop. It measures 20" by 9".

OH Knut! We have a crush on you! Background on Knut: He was born in captivity at the Vancouver Game Farm in early 1996. His mother, also captive born would not or did not know how to care for him so he was brought here. At that time, he weighed only about 1.5 kg. Because he was hand-raised, and because he became dependent on people to care for him, he cannot be released into the wild. Black bears habituated to people usually become nuisance bears.