Monika Melichar of the Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary and volunteer Christina Carere inspect an injured barn owl who was struck by a car. /CHAD INGRAM Staff Wildlife sanctuary seeking volunteers
By Chad Ingram
The Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary is looking for volunteers to assist with all aspects of its operation.
“We’re looking for help, any kind of support,” said founder and director Monika Melichar.
The
sanctuary, located off Duck Lake Road, houses and rehabilitates
orphaned and injured animals, most of them eventually being released
back into the habitats where they were found. Currently, there are more
than 130 creatures living on the property. There are several species of
bird – from woodpeckers to wood ducks to hawks to a barn owl that was
struck by a car. There are squirrels, foxes, deer and a baby brown bat.
There are more animals year over year, and fewer volunteers to help
with them.
The
sanctuary, located off Duck Lake Road, houses and rehabilitates
orphaned and injured animals, most of them eventually being released
back into the habitats where they were found. Currently, there are more
than 130 creatures living on the property. There are several species of
bird – from woodpeckers to wood ducks to hawks to a barn owl that was
struck by a car. There are squirrels, foxes, deer and a baby brown bat.
There are more animals year over year, and fewer volunteers to help
with them.
“We’re
looking for people to help us with the wildlife, of course, caring for
them and feeding them,” Melichar says. Training is provided for anyone
who may be interested.
The sanctuary is also looking for volunteers
for things that may be less obvious. There are fences and enclosures to
be built, and there are also administrative duties.
looking for people to help us with the wildlife, of course, caring for
them and feeding them,” Melichar says. Training is provided for anyone
who may be interested.
The sanctuary is also looking for volunteers
for things that may be less obvious. There are fences and enclosures to
be built, and there are also administrative duties.
“We have to keep extensive records,” Melichar says, explaining that animal treatment and medications must be carefully logged.
The sanctuary is also looking for someone to help with social media promotion and web design.
“Some
of the things can be done from home,” Melichar says. The sanctuary is
also looking for drivers, volunteers to pick up injured animals, or
return rehabilitated creatures to their habitats.
of the things can be done from home,” Melichar says. The sanctuary is
also looking for drivers, volunteers to pick up injured animals, or
return rehabilitated creatures to their habitats.
“We
cover such a vast area,” Melichar says, explaining this includes not
just the county, but Bancroft, parts of Muskoka, Collingwood and even
Tobermory. “There are no other centres.”
cover such a vast area,” Melichar says, explaining this includes not
just the county, but Bancroft, parts of Muskoka, Collingwood and even
Tobermory. “There are no other centres.”
The
sanctuary is busy, receiving about 50 phone calls per day. In the short
time the Times was there, someone called to report they had found a
groundhog with a broken leg somewhere near Bancroft.
sanctuary is busy, receiving about 50 phone calls per day. In the short
time the Times was there, someone called to report they had found a
groundhog with a broken leg somewhere near Bancroft.
The
sanctuary has more recently branched into the care of injured turtles,
as the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre becomes increasingly swamped, and
there were seven painted turtles along with one snapper on the property
earlier this week.
sanctuary has more recently branched into the care of injured turtles,
as the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre becomes increasingly swamped, and
there were seven painted turtles along with one snapper on the property
earlier this week.
Melichar
is ideally looking for volunteers who are able to donate at least half a
day of their time once a week, and can be consistent. Volunteers must
be 16 years of age.
Anyone interested can visit the sanctuary’s website at www.
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