WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

"I found a baby opossum, what do I do?" Photo by Sylvia Letay.

by

Vicky Baker, Conservation Biologist

E-Fauna BC

 

Frequently Asked Wildlife Questions

The following is a list of websites that are useful if you have questions about wildlife that are not covered by E-Fauna BC. 

 

“WHAT is this bug I found??”

Here are a couple of sites to help get you started.  By submitting a photo, someone will review it and put a name to your creature.

Pest Control Canada

Pest Info and Identification (including rodents, bats, raccoons, garden pests, among others), Photo Insect Identification, Pesticide Info, List of Pest Control Professionals, Bug Pages for Kids. www.pestcontrolcanada.com

The Bug Guide

We are an online community of naturalists who enjoy learning about and sharing our observations of insects, spiders, and other related creatures.
www.bugguide.net

“Where can I learn more about wildlife in the city?”

Whether concerned about bears, coyotes, or raccoons, the following organizations can offer you quality information.

Stanley Park Ecology Society

"Connecting People with Nature".  Public Programs, Invasive Species, Urban Wildlife (including Coyotes)
Tel: 604-257-6908
www.stanleyparkecology.ca

Bear Aware BC

Bear Aware's mission is to reduce the incidents of bear-human conflict through education, innovation and cooperation.
Tel: 250-398-8609
www.bearaware.bc.ca

 

“I found a wounded animal!  What should I do?”

Depending on where you live, and which animal you found, the following is an extensive list of organizations who are dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation.

Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC

Founded in 1989, the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization whose membership includes licensed rehabilitation facilities and individual rehabilitators, rehabilitation volunteers, wildlife researchers, government and humane association representatives, veterinarians and other animal care personnel, and interested members of the public.
www.wrn.bc.ca

 

Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands

BC SPCA Animal Rehabilitation Centre

Wild ARC - the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre is operated by the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As the only wildlife rehabilitation centre on southern Vancouver Island, Wild ARC treats over 1,600 wild animals annually from throughout the region.

Tel: 250-478-9453
www.wildarc.com

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS)

Our Mission:  To rescue ill, injured, orphaned or oiled wildlife and transport for rehabilitation and eventual release those which have a chance for survival. To share the knowledge gained from this experience with peers, their agencies, and the public.

Tel: 250-337-2021
www.wingtips.org

North Island Wildlife Recovery Association

Over the years, NIWRA, has developed its expertise having dealt with oil spills, wildlife rehabilitation, short term rehabilitation of bear, wolf and cougar, and has developed extensive educational programs for the public.

Tel: 250-248-8534
www.northislandwildliferecoverycenter.org

Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre

Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a registered charity dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. We have earned permits from The Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Island Wildlife cares for all indigenous species from the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Our facility is the only wildlife centre in British Columbia offering year round rescue and treatment to marine mammals. Our emphasis is on alternative, nontoxic treatments such as homeopathy, herbal remedies and physical therapies. We feel that these treatments, in combination with conventional veterinary protocols, offer our wild patients the best chance for survival.

Tel: 250-537-0777

www.sealrescue.org

Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society (GROWLS)

Rescue and transport of all species (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 250-247-7415
maceharvey@shaw.ca

Rory's Refuge

Handles bird species (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 250-725-3783
saw-whet@island.net

Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast

Critter Care Wildlife Society

Critter Care Wildlife Society provides short and lon-term care to native mammal species, and through rehabilitation and public education helps prevent suffering of injured and orphaned wildlife.

Tel: 604-530-2064
www.crittercarewildlife.org

Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife

The Refuge for Endangered Wildlife is a research, education, and conservation centre at the top of Grouse Mountain. Dedicated to becoming a world leader in preserving both wildlife and flora at risk, The Refuge offers leading-edge interpretative programs that make learning about nature fun and fascinating.

Tel: 604-998-4229
www.grousemountain.com/adv_wilref.cfm

Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL)

The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society is a non-profit organization whose volunteers are dedicated to public education and the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned birds.

Tel: 604-946-3172
www.owlcanada.ca

Wildlife Rescue of BC

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC provides leadership in the care and rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and pollution damaged wildlife, primarily in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is also committed to raising public awareness of, and respect for, wildlife and the issues affecting them in the urban environment.

Tel: 604-526-7275
www.wildliferescue.ca

Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit, registered society, that admits into care wild birds and small mammals which are in distress. Each year we receive hundreds of calls on behalf of injured and orphaned wildlife. We provide for the animal's every need including feeding, watering, daily cleaning and medicating (if necessary).

Tel: 604-886-4989
www.gibsonswildliferehabcentre.org

Elizabeth's Wildlife Centre

Specializes in small mammals and birds (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 604-852-9173
elizmelnick@shaw.ca

Creature Comfort Wildlife Care

Specializes in raccoons, small mammals and birds (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 604-885-4697
crudolph@dccnet.com

 

Thompson

BC Wildlife Park Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

The Society has the only licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in the Kamloops Region. Staff and volunteers work closely with the Ministry of Environment (MOE) as well as community partners to provide rehabilitation services to injured and orphaned wildlife in the region. Wildlife that are successfully rehabilitated are released back into the wild preferably to the area they were found.

Tel: 250-573-3242  ext. 230
www.bczoo.org/howwe-wildlife_rehab.php

Kee-Two Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Specializes in raptors, migratory birds, and small mammals (no website, please contact by phone)

Tel: 250-832-8200

 

Kootenay

Beak

Specializes in songbirds (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 250-365-3701
cpet@netidea.com

 

Cariboo

Raptor Rehabilitation Centre

Specializes in raptors, waterfowl, migratory birds, but rescues all species (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 250-989-8900
elizabethschupbach@yahoo.ca

 

Skeena

Janet Gifford-Brown

Specializes in small mammals and birds on the Queen Charlotte Islands (no website, please contact by phone or email)

Tel: 250-557-4253
jgbrown@qcislands.net

 

Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehabilitation Shelter

The Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehabilitation Shelter  is a 24 hours a day volunteer service, operated by Gunther and Nancy Golinia, two long term residents of Prince Rupert. They have been operating the facility for the past sixteen years and have rescued, rehabilitated and released thousands of wild animals. Wild animals, birds, or domestic pets, all find compassion and care at the Shelter. With no rehab facilities between the Queen Charlotte Islands and Smithers, the animals come in from as far away as Terrace, Kitimat, Dease Lake, Metlakatla and other Islands on the North Coast.

Tel: 250-624-4143
www.citytel.net/wildlife

Peter Grundmann

Specializes in raptors on the Queen Charlotte Islands (no website, please contact by phone)

Tel: 250-637-5499

Northern Lights Wildlife Society

The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is dedicated to give injured and/or orphaned wildlife a second chance at survival. At first the shelter was used very reluctantly by the authorities, but as first success became apparent and as the public became aware of the shelters existence, the demands on the shelter grew rapidly.  The Northern Lights Wildlife Society was formed in 2001 and in 2002 the society became a registered charity.  Most birds are referred to other shelters, as there are a number of excellent bird shelters available already.  Though all mammals and birds are accepted, the shelter in Smithers has become a haven for bears, moose and deer. With many other shelter's unable to work with such large mammals, due to space and/or housing restrictions, the Smithers shelter has become a last refuge for bears from all over BC.

Tel: 250-847-5101
www.wildlifeshelter.com

 

Okanagan

South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO)

SORCO is a clinic and rehab facility for injured and orphaned birds of prey (Raptors).  Our purpose is to treat and release all birds of prey. These include: Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, Falcons, and Osprey which are returned back into the wild whenever possible.

Tel: 250-498-4251
www.sorco.org