Quarterly Publication of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society
Volume 9, Issue 4
Spring 2015
In this Issue... Spring Edition 2
Winter, What Winter?
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Eagle Update
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The Story Of JB
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‘Definitely a Fox’ Updates
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The Preserve’s Wilder Side
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Nature Camp 2015
From the Executive Director... Winter - What Winter? I don’t know about you, but after nine years in the Yukon, I am more and more convinced that we enjoy perhaps the best weather patterns in all of Canada – or North America for that matter! Although, for the second year in a row, we did not enjoy the best conditions for setting ski tracks.
In addition to our grand opening of our new red fox habitat on April 11th, please also take note of Saturday, June 13th as the date for our Annual Open House event and Annual General Meeting. We had a terrific turnout last year and we always look forward to hosting & visiting with everybody. We all love to show-off the Preserve, the Rehabilitation Centre and of course our great collection of animals. Personally, I especially like to highlight the very fine quality of our employees, interns, volunteers and management team – we are all very cognizant of how lucky we are to get to work at the Preserve!
Above: Jake works dilengently with the help of volunteer and President Jim Boyd in getting a the trails groomed and good track set - not easy this winter.
Hopefully all environmental conditions fell into place and this spring we will have the pleasure to welcome some new baby animals to our wildlife residents including baby bison, mule deer, thin horn sheep, mountain goats and with any luck caribou. We will be sure to keep you posted as spring babies start to arrive.
To all of our partners, wellwishers, supporters and volunteers – all of us directly involved with the Preserve would like to stand up and thank all of you for your ongoing, and at times amazing, support you provideto “your” world-class Wildlife Preserve. It is truly appreciated and we couldn’t do what we do, without you!
Cover Photo: JB being introduced to the bull moose and her new 36 acre habitat. She was a little more interested in the potential for food than the new friend.
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Volume 9, Issue 4
Rehabilitation...
Eagle Update
Species: Bald Eagle Estimated Age: 2 Origin: Whitehorse Landfill Checkin Date: October 2014 Injury: Pelvis fracture Release Status: Recovered, to be released Spring 2015 Notes: Unknown how the injury was sustained.
Species: Bald Eagle Estimated Age: 3 years Origin: Altin, B.C. Checkin Date: August 2013 Injury: Fracture to left scapula, left distil ulna and radius Release Status: Recovered, to be released Spring 2015
Species: Bald Eagle Estimated Age: 5 years Origin: Watson Lake Landfill Check-in Date: August 2011 Injury: Fracture to left humerus (upper arm) Release Status: Unreleasble, permanent resident
Notes: Injury occured as an eaglet when it fell from its nest. Note the x-ray depicting one of the breaks.
Notes: Surgically repairing a break in this location is extremley difficult. Individual came to rehabilition centre with break already healed and calus formed weighing down the wing and eliminating its ability to fully extend the wing.
Species: Golden Eagle Estimated Age: 2 Origin: Atlin, B.C. Checkin Date: November 2014 Injury: Old fracture left scapula, poor body condition Release Status: Recovered, to be released Spring 2015
Notes: Noticed by residents. The eagle was immobile for several days due to parasite infestation.
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Spring 2015
Wildlife Update . . . The story of JB Continues . . . JB the moose calf is adjusting well to her new 36 acre home at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Raising any baby animal is no easy feat, but JB was particularly complicated. Thanks to the dedication of Preserve staff and an unwavering support from members of the community she is healthy and strong today. Just two months after JB arrived at the Preserve she sustained a serious injury. While walking outside around her temporary home at the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Research Centre at the Preserve, JB was startled by a
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nearby vehicle. She launched into a sprint, striking a fence brace, breaking her left metacarpus (just below the “knee� on a moose). On a full grown animal, rehabilitation would be impossible, but JB was still small and relatively light. An emergency call went out to the Department of
Clockwise from top right: JB with the first cast; JB nibbling on browse while in her second cast; JB with final cast; Dr. Maria Hallock, Daniel Jokowski, Justine Benjamine and Dr. Chris Harold casting the sedated moose; Justine with a 2 week old JB
Volume 9, Issue 4
Environment’s Program Veterinarian Dr. Jane Harms and All Paws Veterinary Clinic Veterinarian, Dr. Chris Harrold to assist in the unusual procedure of sedating and casting a moose calf’s leg! JB was growing so quickly that she needed the cast replaced twice more over 6 weeks before eventually switching to a brace. Although JB could walk in the cast, lying down by herself was nearly impossible. During that time Animal Care staff Dr. Maria Hallock, Justine Benjamin and Daniel Jolkowski provided round the clock care and monitoring of the moose.
Over this time it became even more apparent that the Preserve is a community venture and that Preserve staff depend on and succeed because of community support. Natasha Bilodeau, a certified physiotherapist from Physio Plus Whitehorse sped up the healing process by finding ways to apply human physiotherapy treatments to the young moose: including stretching and mobility exercises; kinesis taping to stop over extensions while the tendons healed; and the use of laser therapy. Thanks to the support from All Paws Veterinary Clinic and commitment of Veterinary
Technician Sandy Secord, JB received laser therapy through 12 sessions as a holistic non-invasive treatment to facilitate faster healing and reduce pain, thereby allowing Preserve staff to reduce her pain medications more quickly. Today, only a well-trained eye will see evidence of the break. “We are constantly impressed by the support of the Whitehorse and Yukon community,” said Executive Director, Greg Meredith. “We are grateful for it – we simply couldn’t do what we do without it.”
Clockwise from top right: JB at 9 months browsing with the bull moose; JB standing with cast; JB in her new home.
Spring 2015
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‘Definitely a Fox’ Updates Finishing Touches The red fox habitat is nearing its completion. With fencing securely in place, final touches are being added to the human side including stand-off barriers and two viewing windows. Within the coming weeks outdoor operations staff will be mounting the red fox interpretive panel which explores the species ability to thrive in urban areas.
Grand Opening! On Saturday April 11th we will introduce the ‘Definitely a Fox’ to his new home. We ask you to join us for his unveiling in the new red fox habitat. It comes just shy of a year since the mystery fox was found by a Whitehorse resident in the Marsh Lake area, and an overwhelming outpouring of support followed to ensure this fox had a home. This exciting and much anticpated day will get underway at 12 noon at the red fox habitat located just across from our arctic fox exhibit. Preserve staff will be providing shuttle service starting at 11am from the front cabin to those
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needing a little lift to the back loop. We will also be providing return shuttles for those needed. Enjoy a bonfire with a few treats and something warm to drink while Mr. Fox explores the rocky environemnt he will call home.
Entrance for the event, up until 12:30, will be by donation. For more details on this event you can contact Lindsay at 456-7400 or lindsay@yukonwildlife.ca.
Clockwise from top: New windows go in on the red fox habitat; Definitely A Fox is very fluffy in his winter coat.
Volume 9, Issue 4
The Preserve’s Wilder Side The Preserve is home to a collection of 130 animals but there are a host of wild animals that also make their home in this diverse setting - including some unexpected and illusive creatures. In December, we found porcupine tracks and succeeded in finding its den. The resident porcupine (we’re not sure if it’s a he or she just yet) makes its home under a large boulder in the back 40 - the unused area behind the moose habitat. There’s an awful lot of scat in the den, so we’re guessing it has been in use for quite some time.
Game Association confirmed the tracks were indeed a porcupine and revealed its comings and goings. But we saw that the porcupine will visit the den daily, then not show up for a few days before resuming its earlier pattern. Where does it go? The trail camera has answered some questions and raised many new ones. We’ll keep you updated!
Full-time Staff Greg Meredith, Executive Director Randy Hallock, Operations Director Dr. Maria Hallock, Wildlife Curator Jake Paleczny, Director of Programming & Education Lindsay Caskenette, Manager of Visitor Services Daniel Jolkowski, Animal Care & Operations Assistant Justine Benjamin, Animal Care & Operations Assistant Logan Sands, Operations Assistant
Board of Directors Jim Boyde, President W.J. (Bill) Klassen, Vice-President Dave Mossop, Past President Nona Ilieva, Treasurer Alexandra de Jong Westman, Chair of Animal Care Committee Michael Kokiw, Director at Large Ranj Pillai, Director at Large Sharon A. Katz, Director at Large Jessie Dawson, Director at Large Allan Koprowsky, Non-voting Member Environment Yukon Darrell March, Non-voting Member Environment Yukon Blake Rogers, Non-voting Member
Several trees in the area had branches scraped of bark - a poor, but abundant food source. A trail camera from the Yukon Fish and
Winter Staff Maureen Peterson Johanne Maisoneuve Peter Neilson
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Alina Dragomir Hayley Wood Misha Donohoe 7
Spring 2015
Above: Wildlife Interpreter Johanne Maisoneuve looks out onto the Preserve from the back 40 during a snowshoe adventure.
Nature Camp 2015 Mark your calendars! Registration starts April 1st. Eight week-long day camps are offered starting: • June 22nd • June 29th(camp runs on July 1st) • July 6th • July 13th • July 20th • July 27th
Who am I?
• August 3rd • August 10th We’ll have favourites like “Wilderness Skills” and “Animal Care Camp” with new themes like “Stones and Bones”. We’re planning some fun new changes for 2015 too. Full details will be posted at yukonwildlife.ca/ naturecamps
When to Visit Winter Hours
10:30am to 5:00pm: Friday - Sunday Guided Bus Tours at 12pm & 2pm
Special March Break Hours Open daily: March 13th to 29th
Open Easter Monday April 6th Call 456-7300 to reserve a seat in advance. Walk or cross country ski anytime while open! Credits Writing: Lindsay Caskenette, Jake Paleczny, Greg Meredith. Photos and illustrations: Jake Paleczny, Justine Benjamin, Maria Hallock, Daniel Jolkowski.
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Curious about the latest news? Visit facebook. com/yukonwildlife or call 456-7300.
Printed on 100% Recycled Paper
Volume 9, Issue 4