Question 1

Can I tour your facility?

Accepted Answer

Calgary Wildlife is a no public access facility. We run a wildlife trauma hospital and many of our patients are recovering from severe injuries, including surgeries. Remember these are wild animals; they are highly stressed by proximity to humans. Animal patients that become too stressed can die in care simply from stress. It is in the best interest of our wildlife patients to benefit from a quiet, stress free environment, which we try to create for them. To see wild animals in real life please visit the Calgary Zoo. You may also sign up for our newsletter updates and you'll receive our newsletters which will have patient stories, photos, and videos.

Question 2

What can I do to stop birds from hitting my window?

Accepted Answer

We are so glad you asked! Window strikes are a leading cause of wild bird deaths accounting for millions of songbird deaths in North America every year. The US Fish & Wildlife Service put out a very informative and thorough document detailing the ways you can make your windows safer for our avian friends. Information included is taken directly from their website. (https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/preventing-bird-glass-collisions-at-home.pdf)

The purpose of this document is to provide straightforward, best-known approaches for reducing bird collisions with buildings and building glass through building occupant measures, simple low cost actions, and strategies for new buildings, building renovations and building retro-fits. Reducing Bird Collisions With Buildings (https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reducing-bird-collisions-with-buildings.pdf)

This flyer, a product of the Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds, includes some simple, low cost measures that anyone can implement in their home or at the office to save birds all day, every day. Building Glass and Lighting Lunchroom Flyer (https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/minimizing-bird-collisions-with-glass-remodeled-and-new-facilities.pdf)

We offer bird friendly tape in our online store, (https://www.calgarywildlife.org/shop)which reduces the risk of birds colliding with your window.

Question 3

How do you deter skunks from making a home, around your home?

Accepted Answer

An easy way to deter skunks from living under decks, porches etc., is to soak old rags in house hold ammonia (found in grocery stores) and place them into tin cans. ** Remember not to mix ammonia with bleach or any other products. ** Place the cans where you think their entrance and exit locations are. You may have to be persistent for a week or so before they get the hint. Skunks do not like the smell of ammonia and should move on to reside elsewhere. As soon as you are sure the skunks have moved on, you should board up the area so they will not return.

*Note* 
Skunks are very good diggers, so you'll need to put down metal grids they can't dig under. The best time to do this is after the summer when all skunk kits have moved on from their family units. You can also get the help of humane pest solutions companies, but make sure you do your research before  selecting. There is no such thing as humane relocation, as the animal is being moved into an unknown environment where it will be in other animals' territories, competing for the same food sources, and the outcome is often not favourable. The best course of action is prevention and blocking the entries to your home/yard once you're sure the animals are no longer in the spaces.

Question 4

I’ve found a cute little animal and I’m trying to raise it as a pet. Can you offer me any advice?

Accepted Answer

Wild animals do not make good pets and are meant to live their lives in the wild.
Under the Alberta Wildlife Act, it is illegal to possess wildlife in Alberta without a special permit. Wildlife can carry diseases that are harmful, sometimes even fatal, to humans. Raising wildlife in your home robs that animal of the wild life it was meant to live and can cause irreparable harm to that animal. If you have found and retrieved a baby animal, return it to its mother as quickly as possible. If it is not possible, contact your Calgary Wildlife or your nearest rehabilitation centre.

Question 5

I saw a baby bird on the ground. I can’t locate its nest or its parents, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

If the baby bird is a nestling (without feathers ) it's fallen out of the nest and needs to be put back. Usually the nest will be right above where the baby is, so if you can safely get the bird back into its nest, that is the best course of action. 
Note: it's a myth that if you touch a baby bird with bare hands the parents will reject if. Of course, it's best to use gloves, but if you don't have any, then bare hands are fine- just make sure you wash your hands well after.

If the baby bird is on the ground and mainly feathered, but with a few downy tufts, and jumping around and trying to fly, it is likely a fledgling.  That means, its parents have kicked it out of the nest because its time to learn how to fly. The parents will be around feeding it while on the ground and coaxing it to fly. This is the normal development process. During this time, it's important you let the bird learn on its own. If you have pets, make sure they are on leash during this time. 
Fledglings can live on the ground between 4 and 10 days.

If the baby bird looks injured or has been attacked by a cat or dog, it needs medical attention.
Please contact us at 403-214-1312

Question 6

Do you help pigeons?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Calgary Wildlife does rehabilitate injured pigeons, AKA rock doves.

Question 7

Do you rehabilitate coyotes?

Accepted Answer

The Province of Alberta does not permit the rehabilitation of coyotes. If you're concerned about an injured coyote, please reach out to Fish and Wildlife at 
1-800-642-3800.

Question 8

Can you help adult deer or moose?

Accepted Answer

Our permits do not allow us to rehabilitate adult deer or moose. Adult wildlife are very resilient and can often heal and adapt to their injuries. If you have further questions about adult deer or moose, please reach out to Fish and Wildlife at 
1-800-642-3800

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