The rare white raven, Blizzard, has taken Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) by storm.
Since being brought out to the public for viewing two weeks ago, the leucistic juvenile bird has become a huge attraction that many visitors are eager to see.
Animal care supervisor Derek Downes said they have been extremely careful not to expose Blizzard to the public too soon. They wanted to do it gradually. But since theyB次元官网网址檝e started to put Blizzard on the spotlight, Downes said, they were surprised that Blizzard reacted positively to the huge attention he has been receiving.
B次元官网网址淲e wanted a soft transition for him,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淲e did not advertise it because thereB次元官网网址檚 enough people coming through to give him enough stimulation in his new environment. We didnB次元官网网址檛 want to stress him too much. And luckily he responded amazingly. He was willing to come up to the front and interact with people almost immediately.B次元官网网址�
Blizzard, who earned the name for his snow-white feathers, came to the care of the NIWRC a year ago. He was on the brink of emaciation, unable to fly and had infected wounds all over his body. The centre nursed Blizzard back to a healthy state.
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Downes said theyB次元官网网址檙e confident Blizzard has transitioned well in his new enclosure located in the public display area at the centre. The centre really wanted to share BlizzardB次元官网网址檚 beauty and splendor with the community.
B次元官网网址淰isitors are taken aback when they see Blizzard,B次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淏lizzard is the star of the show. He has transitioned so nicely. I worked so hard with him during the winter to acclimate him to being more comfortable with people and things. And now he just comes up to the front. Certain people he really takes a liking to. ThereB次元官网网址檚 been a couple of young folks that stand in front of him and they mimic each other back and forth. HeB次元官网网址檒l say B次元官网网址榟elloB次元官网网址� periodically. HeB次元官网网址檒l say B次元官网网址榞ood morningB次元官网网址� periodically because he is really good at mimicry.B次元官网网址�
The centre also has another white raven, Buddy, in its care. He was brought to the centre last June in very poor condition, malnourished and full of infections. It is also leucistic and cannot be released.
Downes said Buddy is making a quick recovery. His journey back to health, Downes said, is vastly different from BlizzardB次元官网网址檚.
B次元官网网址淪tress was very hard on Blizzard and was very susceptible to stress,B次元官网网址� said Downs. B次元官网网址淒espite the treatment, we take one step forward and one step back every time. Because weB次元官网网址檙e restraining him, tube-feeding him and many others. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a certain stress level involved in that. But this new raven that came in was far worse condition than Blizzard was.B次元官网网址�
The experience and knowledge theyB次元官网网址檝e gained in restoring Blizzard to health for a year, Downes said, helped them determine the treatment plan for Buddy. What accelerated BuddyB次元官网网址檚 recovery, Downes said, was his personality.
B次元官网网址淗e jumped up to my arm unprompted and when he did that I said B次元官网网址榯his bird is a little different,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Downes. B次元官网网址淗e is a really special bird and is in the process of being glove-trained. So hopefully we can take this one step further.B次元官网网址�
It will be a rare event when both white ravens will be on display at the recover centre, said Downes.
The NIWRC has rescued over 20,000 birds and animals on Vancouver Island over the years. Located at 1240 Leffler Road in Errington, the centre is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you wish to donate to the NIWRC, and for more information, visit their website at
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