During this mass global shut down, as jobs are suspended, stores are closed, and travel is restricted, there is one group who was not able to shut down their services and has been forgotten in the many thanks sent out for essential workers. Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary, like many other animal sanctuaries, kept working and saving lives.
Their Story
Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2008 when a growing need was observed by the couple. They saw animals dying needlessly because of the disconnect between the wild world and civilized world. They aim to save wildlife one animal at a time in the hopes that their efforts will spread and peoples relationships with wildlife will be that of integrity, respect, and peace.
The founders come from different backgrounds, one of Indigenous knowledge of animals and their behaviour in the wild, and the other with a degree in zoology and authorization from the MNRF. They are the most genuine, inspirational, and generous people I have met and are truly blessed.
With 45 acres of land in the Minden Hills area, the couple has dedicated their lives to saving those who need saving most, our wildlife. There is no such thing as a vacation from the daily tasks and new admittances of wildlife into the sanctuary.
Wildlife medicine is different from veterinarian practices for many reasons including; a wider variety of species, working with animals that are wild, and mimicking the natural environment of each species while treating any illness or injury for survival.
The Process
Almost all animals are admitted to the sanctuary with the exception of raccoons due to severe allergies, though when a wild creature is in need of help they can be directed to close by sanctuaries which are specified for that species in the event that we are unable to accept or treat them. Bears, coyotes, and big cats are also redirected.
During my time at the sanctuary, though it changed constantly between admittance to release, there were the following wild ones being cared for; songbirds of all ages and species, pigeons, skunks, porcupines, opossums, squirrels, bunnies, turtles, fauns, foxes, falcons, eagles, herons, crows, wild turkeys, turkey vultures, ducks, geese, groundhogs, minks, weasels, and hawks.
All animals are admitted for different reasons ranging from car accidents, abandonment, and/or negative human interactions. This means that all treatments needed varied between species and reason for admittance.
Each animal has their own chart that is updated daily or more often, their own enclosure that mimics their natural habitat, as well as, updates in foods, vitamins, and medications that will get them healthy and released back into the wild.
On a daily regimen, animals are fed, cleaned, observed for behaviour, medications administered or physiotherapy depending on the individual's needs, and when deemed fit the animal(s) are released back to the location they were taken from to be saved.
My experience
I volunteered at the wildlife sanctuary for just shy of 2 months for July and August and during that time I learned volumes about wildlife and myself.
Working with animals is something that I had very little experience with beyond my pets at home. As an environmental science major and advocate for symbiosis with nature I felt like it was an essential skill to know how to interact with the animals that make up the environment around me.
Wildlife pick up on the energies that are associated with a person, humans actually emit energies and many are unaware of their energies impacts on the environment around them. When I was nervous or in my own head space I would notice the animals interact with me differently, but when I took a breath and cleared my mind quickly before entering an enclosure, the animals too were more calm and open to receiving my help.
Working with the wildlife taught me to be more conscious of the energy I send out, not to be scared, angry, or nervous, but to be calm, confident, and collected.
I did tasks such as feeding animals, releasing animals, cleaning enclosures, preparing enclosures for new arrivals, and observing animals behaviour. In the end, I believe that I helped animals and they helped me.
One of the best things about volunteering at the sanctuary was that I never felt like I wasn’t helpful because I didn’t know much from the beginning. The sanctuary was full of people from different backgrounds of expertise and everyone was always learning.
Human Interactions
Something that I had noticed from talking with other volunteers is the relationship between the number of admittances and the volume of traffic in a given time frame.
This year due to the shutdown there was a significant decrease in traffic on the local highways and private roads where cottagers would be driving. Many cottagers come from far away and have driven many hours before they have reached the area, meaning they aren’t looking as actively for wildlife crossing the road or it is dark.
In addition, the number of admittances of wildlife decreased this year compared to other years. It causes one to wonder if it is because there were fewer people around to see animals who are in need or if it is because there were fewer cars on the road, therefore, fewer incidents of cars striking animals.
Globally, it has been witnessed, since the shutdown, that there has been overall healing on the environmental side of things from pollution to species returning to health. This is cause for concern that humans are causing animals and the environment to struggle because of our habits, which I too am guilty of.
Food for thought
If we are aware of our negative impact on the survival of wildlife why have there not been more significant changes to protect wildlife, or maintain a sustainable balance?
Why did I need to experience working with animals before I could truly appreciate and respect even the strangest of animals? (I never knew that porcupines were so sweet!)
Lastly, what is stopping everyone else from reaching out to their local sanctuary and helping out through their time, money, or food and material donations?
Summary
If you want to help these not-for-profit sanctuaries, do some research into your local sanctuary and find out what you can do for them. If you want more information or want to know how to help the Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary in Minden, check out their website.
It is said that your environment and how you interact with nature is a reflection of who you are as a human and what your core values are. We need to take responsibility for the damage done, and correct it. Not just for ourselves, but for future generations. One can learn so much on a walk through nature or by helping an animal in need, it is an experience that will last a lifetime.
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