Wildlife Haven in Île-des-Chênes has been lovingly caring for injured, sick, and orphaned animals since 1984. And as of August 4, they are officially home to Manitoba’s first wildlife veterinary hospital.

The newly accredited Wildlife Veterinary Hospital is now even better equipped to help Manitoba’s unique and precious wild creatures.

The hospital has a full-time licensed veterinarian, diagnostic equipment, and an operating room. They also have many enclosures, habitats, and safe places to monitor animals as they recover from illnesses or injuries.

Wildlife Haven was originally formed by a group of environmentally concerned citizens. At that time, it was known as Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization. The group started in their own backyards but moved to the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station in 1993.

In 2003, MWRO started operating as the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre and in 2008 they moved to a retired dairy barn in Île-des-Chênes. It was only a few years ago that they transitioned to their current, permanent location.

Over its lifetime, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre has cared for more than 44,000 animals. So far in 2021, they have treated 2,300 patients, an increase of 21.5 percent over the last year.

Now that their veterinary hospital is officially open, they hope to see a significant increase in survival rates.

The opening of the Wildlife Haven Veterinary Hospital also marks the creation of a new partnership between WHRC and the National Wildlife Centre of Caledon, Ontario. This partnership has led to the creation of a wildlife veterinary internship position at Wildlife Haven.

The first recipient of this one-year internship position is Dr. Sayrah Gilbert, originally from Houston, Texas. Gilbert will be mentored and trained by Dr. Sherri Cox, who is a wildlife veterinarian and the medical director at the National Wildlife Centre.

Many of the animals at WHRC are found by members of the public. If someone finds a wild animal they think is sick, orphaned, or injured, they can contact Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre over the phone.

“We have a trained intake team that answers all public inquiries regarding animals they have found,” says Kathryn Gibb, the centre’s administrative assistant at the centre. “Our team gives them advice on how they should proceed with the animal, whether that’s leaving it be, monitoring it, or bringing it directly to the centre. We also have lots of information on our website, including tips on what to do if you find an animal, ways you can help, and updates on what’s happening here at the centre.”

If the intake staff deem it necessary for the animal to be brought in, the caller may bring it in—or if they can’t for any reason, there are people ready to help.

“We are lucky to have a dedicated team of volunteers that are trained to contain and rescue wildlife, in addition to a network of conservation officers and other community partners that help in rescuing and transporting animals to our centre for care,” says Gibb. “It’s thanks to a whole community working together that we can care for animals from all across Manitoba.”

There are certain animals that the WHRC cannot care for, owing to strict provincial and federal regulations. According to their licensing, WHRC is not able to care for skunks, bears, wolves, or hooved animals. They also do not take in deer mice; this is a precaution, since the mice have been known to carry hantavirus which could pose a health risk to other animals.

Gibb says that the eastern cottontail rabbit is their most common patient.

That said, they get their share of more unique guests. Currently, they have a North American river otter.

“The otter was admitted to us in May as a baby with gastrointestinal complications from a protein build-up in the stomach,” Gibb says. “Our medical team administered medication for 48 hours and followed up with a specialized otter milk formula and [the otter] has been growing stronger ever since.”

WHRC has a mission to rehabilitate all wildlife that comes through their doors, sending them back into the wildlife after their treatment is complete, and their team works tirelessly to make that happen.

But, of course, that isn’t always possible. The centre is home to a number of animals which aren’t able to survive on their home. Therefore, they remain at the WHRC and serve as “education ambassadors.”

“Each of these animals has a unique story that highlights the consequences of human interference with wildlife,” Gibb says.

These animals are often showcased in the education program the facility conducts through community outreach. These presentations are done with the goal of showing people the importance of Manitoba’s wildlife to our entire ecosystem.

The rehabilitation centre isn’t open to the public right now, but they do offer tours when certain events take place. The next opportunity will be an open house scheduled for October 1–3. Tickets will cost $5 per person and further information will be posted on their website when they become available for purchase.

“We are so excited to welcome people to the Wildlife Haven campus and show them what our community has helped us build,” says Gibb.