During 1997, Salmonier Nature Park received a total of 91 incoming, orphaned or problem animals. As usual, this number was comprised mainly of birds, and included 27 raptors, 12 waterfowl, 18 seabirds, 18 passerines and 4 other birds. Of these 79 birds, 16 succumbed to their injuries. This includes 3 birds that were dead on arrival at the Park. Another 24 birds were euthanised due to the severity of injuries. Thirty birds were successfully rehabilitated and released back to the wild and 8 non-releasable birds were donated to other zoological parks. 

Incoming mammals for the past year totalled eleven. Of these, one died, two were euthanised due to severe injured, six were released, one was transferred to another facility and one was kept for our own display. We had one attempt at hand raising an orphaned moose this year. Salmonier Nature Park was also involved in the placement of an orphaned wolf cub which was confiscated by Labrador conservation officers from a private individual. Since this animal had been maintained by humans for a number of weeks while it was at a very young age, it was not suitable for release back to the wild.

Arrangements were made by Salmonier Nature Park which placed the wolf at the Canadian Centre for Wolf Research in Nova Scotia. It is anticipated that the animal will become integrated in an existing pack there.

One reptile was recieved at Salmonier Nature Park during 1997, an Eastern Painted Turtle, a species which is found widely in the Maritimes and has significant potential to establish on the Island portion of the Province should numbers escape or are illegally introduced. It should be noted that importing non listed species such as Eastern Painted Turtle is illegal under the Wildlife Regulations. 

Several of the rehabilitation efforts of Salmonier Nature Park received media coverage over the past year. In May, a rehabilitated Merlin was released at Kelligrews. Salmonier Nature Park staff was accompanied by the Brady family who had found the injured bird one month previously at the same location. This event was covered in an article in the local newspaper, the Shoreline. In November, releases of two rehablilitated Peregrine Falcons were televised by the local media and Salmonier Nature Park staff were interviewed live in this coverage.

Participation in the Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation has waned somewhat; however, special thanks are offered to those die-hard participants who still generously offer their assistance.

Partings

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Darya Campbell (due to cancer) in early February 1998. Darya was an original member of our rehab network while employed as a regional provincial vet in western Newfoundland. She will be missed.