The devastating floods this past June impacted more than 100,000 people in 30 communities, and resulted in about $3.1 billion in damages. However, the swollen rivers not only effected people but also impacted Albertaís wildlife.
ìWe see hundreds of animals every summer but this year we are well into the hundreds (at the centre),î said Alberta Institute for Conservation (AIWC) Assistant Director of Wildlife Barbara Kowalzik.
She said the total numbers will not be available until the new year but the centre probably helped between 100 to 200 more animals than last year. However, she cautions the institute often sees increases each year due to an increasing number of human and animal interactions and conflicts.
The AIWC centre staff saw hundreds of ducklings come through their doors and into the care of volunteers. Many had lost their homes or had been washed away in the relentless waters of the flood, which put them in a very dangerous situation, Kowalzik said. Young hatchlings can drown in high-moving water, something most people may not realize.
The assistant director said the flooding likely impacted the hatching season for waterfowl by making it longer.
ìWe can only assume because of the floods, most of the first hatchlings didnít make it,î she said, adding waterfowl can have one or two sets of hatchlings each season.
AIWC saw its fair share of stories that didnít have a happy ending, including a young coyote pup that scrambled up a hill to avoid the onslaught of water, which washed out her den. The little pup met the wraith of a protective doe, who unfortunately trampled the coyote causing brain damage, which culminated in seizures. The little pup spent several days at the centre but, despite AIWC staffís best efforts, the animal lost her battle and passed away.
ìIt can be extremely difficult,î Kowalzik said of losing an orphaned animal, but she added it is a reality of the job as a percentage of animals brought to the centre either have to be euthanized or arrive too late and are already gone when they get there.
However, the centre also had a lot of success stories too.
A fledgling bald eagle found in Calgary sopping wet, was discovered two-and-a-half kilometres from her nest and brought to AIWC. There the young raptor was dried off, warmed up and remained at the facility for a few days until she had fully recovered. Once she was back to her full health, she was released in a safe location near her original nest to be reunited with her parents.
One of the centreís tales of strength comes from a newborn mule deer fawn found with her twin lying between a washed-out road and a steep cliff slowly falling away in the rising waters of the Sheep River. An attempt was made to bring the twins to AIWC but all the roads in the area were badly damaged or closed and there was no way to get out of town.
The person who found the animals did what she could for the newborns for two days until they could be taken to the centre but, sadly, one of the babies died. The remaining fawn was in rough shape.
ìWhen he came in he was semi-conscious. I thought his chances for recovery were nil, he was in bad shape,î Kowalzik said.
The deer was frozen and suffering from pneumonia and was given IV fluids, incubation and medication.
ìHe was strong enough to survive,î Kowalzik said.
The mule deer is one of only three flood victims remaining at the centre.
He shares a home with two white-tailed deer fawns. One of the fawns was found drowning in the unrelenting waters ravaging Calgary and was pulled to safety by a courageous passerby. The other was a skittish newborn found alone in the devastation of High River.
These three lucky deer are now juveniles and will remain at the centreís spacious fawn field until the spring when they will be released back into the wild.
AIWC is a charitable organization that recovers many of the 2,000 animals they receive each year throughout the county and in Airdrie. It is a charitable organization and relies completely on public donations.
Kowalzik said the additional animals rescued and cared for at the centre has had a direct financial impact. Because each animal rescued has a different circumstance itís hard to estimate the average care cost for each animal, but the facility has a fundraising goal of $250,000 this year to continue operations and move to a permanent location. The institute is located on 10 acres of land and utilizes a church that was donated to the organization in 1995 and was converted into a fully functional wildlife hospital.
ìIt hits pretty hard,î she said of the costs of all the species specific formulas and feed the centre keeps on hand at all times.
The costs for medication to treat sick and injured animals only increases the financial strain and the centre saw several animals suffering from pneumonia directly related to the flooding.
AIWC is hoping to raise some of the funds needed for daily operations from sales of its 2014 calendar, which features many animals recovered from the flood. Two sizes are available and are $15 for the larger calendar and $10 for the smaller one. The calendars can be purchased by calling 403-946-2361.
Despite the financial strain, Kowalzik said the institute will continue to provide care to Albertaís native species.
ìWhen you get a box of 15 ducklings that youíre able to care for and then release, itís very rewarding,î she said.
For more information or to donate, visit aiwc.ca
