Permanent Residents

The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (CWRS) strives to release all rehabilitated animals back into the wild. However, occasionally we receive an animal that cannot be released and is a suitable candidate for permanent residency based on the role the animal can play at our society. Our educational ambassadors become part of our educational programming, inspiring thousands of citizens every year. Many people have never had the opportunity to be in the same room as an owl or hawk and feedback from our educational programs has pointed to the lasting positive impact of seeing a live wild animal up close as well as being able to participate in a hands-on learning activity (pellet dissection). These programs create long lasting positive associations with wildlife. Other permanent residents foster orphaned babies reducing the risk of habituation.

Education Ambassadors

OPHELIA, Great Horned Owl

Ophelia is a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) who came to CWRS in 2007 with a broken wing. The fracture healed but complications with scar tissue in the tendon prevents her from raptor style flight which is needed for proper hunting, but she is able to fly. As she was not able to be released back into the wild but had a very quiet disposition, she was considered for an education ambassador. Handling training began and she quickly adapted to her new job and is now a permanent resident at the Centre.

Ophelia is named after a fictional character in Wm. Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet” A young noblewoman from Denmark.

Ophelia visits over 75 schools a year, inspiring children of all ages and creating awareness around wildlife issues.

To sponsor Ophelia or contribute to her care please donate through Keela

LITO, Swainson’s Hawk

Lito is an inquisitive Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) who is a permanent resident and an education ambassador for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

Lito came to us in August of 2012 as a nestling with a fractured wing. He was unable to be released to the wild because of the permanent damage to his wing but quickly was recruited into our education program. Lito took to his training with ease because of his curiosity and laid back temperament. Having been with us from the earliest period of his life, Lito is very comfortable around people which makes him an excellent educational ambassador.

Lito was named, through our “Name the Ambassador Contest”, after famous Argentine musician, Lito Vitale in honor of the long migration routes Swainson’s Hawks fly every year. Swainson’s Hawks have the longest migration route of any North American raptor, flying as far as Argentina every year (22 400 km)

Lito has adapted beautifully to his new “job” and visits schools weekly, along with his handlers, teaching children of all ages about the wildlife and creating awareness around the work of the CWRS.

To sponsor Lito or contribute to his care please donate through Keela

OLIVER, Striped Skunk

POE, Raven

Foster Parents and Other Permanent Residents

CWRS currently has one permanent foster parent who raises orphaned animals of the same or similar species. Foster parents are domestic or injured and un-releasable wild animals that make a permanent home at the facility. Their care improves the likelihood of survival of the orphaned animals.

ANGEL, Canada Goose

Angel, a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a long term permanent resident at CWRS. Angel was named for Angel Wing Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder she has. Angel Wing Syndrome creates follicle malformations which make the feathers grow in the wrong direction. The result is that Angel can’t fly. Angel instead is an excellent foster mom to the dozens of goslings we receive every year, helping us to minimize human contact with our gosling patients to ensure the most successful results.

To sponsor Angel or contribute to her care please donate through Keela

OBERON, Great Horned Owl

Oberon is a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), a permanent resident and an education ambassador for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

In 2003, he had a tragic encounter with a speeding truck. CWRS came to the rescue and saved Oberon’s life. Unfortunately, we were unable to save one of his wings. With a wing short, Oberon can never be released back into the wild ever again. Thankfully, Oberon found a new home with the CWRS. Having been brought in when he was a young owl, he has grown comfortable around people. His calm and tame demeanor makes him an excellent educational ambassador.

Oberon is named after a fictional character in Wm. Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in which he is consort to Titania, Queen of Fairies.

Because of all his advocacy work, Oberon won Volunteer Calgary’s 2006 Volunteer Animal Award for his outstanding volunteerism. In his spare time, Oberon likes hanging out on his favorite perch and happily hooting.

THE BROOD, Our Chickens

Calgary Wildlife cares for a flock of chickens, whose eggs form part of the diet of many of our patients! We chose the hardiest varieties of chickens and have __ orpington, and __polish. The staff are quite fond of our brood and have each had a hand in naming them.

The Brood (Chickens): As part of a plan to become more self-sustainable, CWRS maintains a flock of chickens whose eggs are used many of our patient’s diets. Our flock consists of Buff Orpington hens, Polish hens and a Buff Orpington rooster named Buff Tanning. They all live together in the “Orpington House” chicken coop. Each chicken was playfully named by the staff who had fun being puny with names such as Eggatha Crispy, Hennifer Lopez & Mother Clucker.

Oliver

Oliver, Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis): Oliver came to CWRS in 2017 after being found orphaned. By the time he came to us he was deeply habituated to humans and though we worked hard to wild him up, he ultimately was not a suitable candidate for release. With his easy going temperament, he was a natural fit for our education program to serve as an ambassador for his kind and a reminder that trying to raise wildlife in one’s home robs that animal of the wild life it was meant to live. Oliver, as amiable as he is, still has some of his wild programming and enjoys pretending to spray and biting as part of his play.

Poe

Poe, Common Raven (Corvus corax): Poe came to us in 2016 with pellet shots imbedded in his pectoral muscles. The pellets have made it so he cannot fly and since we cannot be removed without damaging the tissue further, he is being trained to become part of our educational program. Poe, like most ravens, is highly intelligent and enjoys the enrichment activities that the staff dream up for him.