An iconic rare bird and two orphaned bear cubs are currently in the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington.
The juvenile raven was brought to the centre approximately one week ago and was in rough shape, said Derek Downes, one of the animal care technicians tasked with nursing it back to health.
B次元官网网址淚t was on the ground and it suffered some injuries to its feet,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e an extremely rare mutation, well-documented in this part of the world, specifically the (Parksville Qualicum Beach) area, which is why they have been dubbed the sacred white raven.B次元官网网址�
The centre has occasionally cared for white ravens over the years but the survival chances for the birds has been slim. Unofficially, according to Downes, theyB次元官网网址檝e known of only one that has made it all the way to adulthood.
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B次元官网网址淭hey typically donB次元官网网址檛 do very well,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淭hey have compromised immune systems, so weB次元官网网址檙e really, really trying very hard with this one. WeB次元官网网址檝e learned in the past of what we can do to help it and weB次元官网网址檙e hoping with this one weB次元官网网址檙e going to have some success.B次元官网网址�
The white raven is not feeding on its own and had to be force-fed, using a tube. Downes said it is getting stronger and improving each day.
B次元官网网址淲e ran a course of antibiotics on him and numerous vitamins and minerals to try to help boost his immune system because that seems to be what lacks with these white ravens,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really hoping for the best.B次元官网网址�
Downes welcomes the rare knowledge he is picking up from the experience of treating the raven.
B次元官网网址淭his is my first time handling one,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淚 have seen photos and videos but never actually seen one up close and been able to actually be hands on in helping and trying to help this bird survive. ItB次元官网网址檚 a really magical thing.B次元官网网址�
While the white raven is generating plenty of attention, the centre is also busy caring for two orphaned black bear cubs, after conservation officers rescued them from the Woss area near Campbell River.
B次元官网网址淲e were able to luckily get them and they were still in great condition,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淭hey havenB次元官网网址檛 been on their own for very long so these cubs stand a really, really great chance. They have a long journey with us ahead but these cubs are in good hands now and thankfully weB次元官网网址檙e able to do everything we can. They should be able to go back home sometime next year.B次元官网网址�
The centre is also nearly ready to release three black bears rescued a year ago, including B次元官网网址楥rumpetB次元官网网址� who was only 2.2 pounds when brought to the centre. They will be released at the location where they were found on Vancouver Island.
B次元官网网址淭he old ones are going home and the new ones are coming in for help,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an amazing thing to witness and and amazing to be a part of. ItB次元官网网址檚 really emotional to think about all the trials and tribulations that those orphan cubs have gone through and to now be on the precipice of going back home.B次元官网网址�
The founder of the centre, Robin Campbell, is proud of the work theyB次元官网网址檝e been doing in more than two decades to help distressed and orphaned bears become healthy and be able to return to their natural habitat.
B次元官网网址淏ears are very difficult and thereB次元官网网址檚 a huge challenge in doing bears,B次元官网网址� said Campbell. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a huge responsibility that we took on over 25 years ago. We have released hundreds of bears back in the wild. But it never changes.B次元官网网址�
Campbell relishes the thought of the bearsB次元官网网址� first night of freedom, with no walls to limit their movements and open to the elements and natural surroundings.
B次元官网网址淭his is so exciting for us, not only for all our successes but also for our failures,B次元官网网址� said Campbell. B次元官网网址淎nd it is so emotional for us. All animals are very important from small birds to the bears. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter what it is. ItB次元官网网址檚 such a thrill when you can have a few successes.B次元官网网址�
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