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.
害羞草研究所淚t was on the ground and it suffered some injuries to its feet,害羞草研究所� said Downes. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙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.害羞草研究所�
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, they害羞草研究所檝e known of only one that has made it all the way to adulthood.
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害羞草研究所淭hey typically don害羞草研究所檛 do very well,害羞草研究所� said Downes. 害羞草研究所淭hey have compromised immune systems, so we害羞草研究所檙e really, really trying very hard with this one. We害羞草研究所檝e learned in the past of what we can do to help it and we害羞草研究所檙e hoping with this one we害羞草研究所檙e going to have some success.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲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,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e really hoping for the best.害羞草研究所�
Downes welcomes the rare knowledge he is picking up from the experience of treating the raven.
害羞草研究所淭his is my first time handling one,害羞草研究所� said Downes. 害羞草研究所淚 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. It害羞草研究所檚 a really magical thing.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淲e were able to luckily get them and they were still in great condition,害羞草研究所� said Downes. 害羞草研究所淭hey haven害羞草研究所檛 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 we害羞草研究所檙e able to do everything we can. They should be able to go back home sometime next year.害羞草研究所�
The centre is also nearly ready to release three black bears rescued a year ago, including 害羞草研究所楥rumpet害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淭he old ones are going home and the new ones are coming in for help,害羞草研究所� said Downes. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an amazing thing to witness and and amazing to be a part of. It害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�
The founder of the centre, Robin Campbell, is proud of the work they害羞草研究所檝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.
害羞草研究所淏ears are very difficult and there害羞草研究所檚 a huge challenge in doing bears,害羞草研究所� said Campbell. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�
Campbell relishes the thought of the bears害羞草研究所� first night of freedom, with no walls to limit their movements and open to the elements and natural surroundings.
害羞草研究所淭his is so exciting for us, not only for all our successes but also for our failures,害羞草研究所� said Campbell. 害羞草研究所淎nd it is so emotional for us. All animals are very important from small birds to the bears. It doesn害羞草研究所檛 matter what it is. It害羞草研究所檚 such a thrill when you can have a few successes.害羞草研究所�
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