A Rescue Center for Small Wild Animals Looks to Place a Blind Moose Calf
The arrival of Cedar, as the moose is known, has meant that Lynne Rowe, the center's founder and director of operations, has had to learn a lot about the needs of young moose very quickly.
But it has also created a particular challenge. Like all rescue centers, Holly's Haven normally returns animals to the wild when they are old enough to cope or when they have recovered from their injuries.
The best prognosis for Cedar is that he will recover very limited vision in his right eye, making a return to the wild a death sentence. But Cedar cannot follow the path set by Holly, a raccoon for whom the center is named and who lived there for years because brain damage made her release impossible. While Cedar weighs about 30 kilograms, or more than 65 pounds, he could reach 700 kilograms, or 1,500 pounds, as an adult.
'All the experts I've consulted, veterinarians and moose rehabilitators, confirmed that he is not releasable,' Rowe told me as Cedar contentedly munched on dangling willow branches. 'Young moose are heavily predated in the wild by coyotes, wolves. So he'd be extremely vulnerable.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Discovery in remote bushland prompts renewed calls to combat Aussie crisis
For millions of years, Australia evolved in near-isolation, its unique ecosystems untouched by the threats posed by introduced species from overseas. But, when Europeans arrived, that all changed. Now, we have one of the worst track records in the world when it comes to invasive pests, with everything from cane toads, foxes, feral pigs and deer running amok across unimaginably large parts of the country. While some species generate a lot of attention, others often escape the spotlight. That's mainly been the case for feral donkeys in Australia, despite there being between two to five million living in the country, according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Feral donkeys were originally introduced in the 19th century for transport and work in remote areas, particularly in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but after becoming redundant with mechanisation, many were released or escaped and have since established large populations. This month, a herd was spotted in Victoria, much farther south than their usual range. Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University, Euan Ritchie, said that while in this case, it's more likely the group escaped from a nearby property rather than an "expansion into the area from feral populations". But, he warned it's "concerning" whenever invasive animals are detected in regions where they don't already occur. In an interview with Yahoo, he said it's especially alarming "when it happens in conservation areas such as national parks". "Such incidents need to be acted on swiftly to ensure populations don't become established and to minimise any environmental harm," Ritchie warned. What damage do feral donkeys do to Australia's environment? Ritchie explained that feral donkeys can cause a range of issues, some potentially devastating to already fragile ecosystems. He said their impact includes overgrazing, which reduces plant cover and diversity while promoting the spread of woody, unpalatable species; the dispersal of weeds via their fur and droppings; soil compaction and erosion; the risk of transmitting parasites and diseases to other animals; and competition with native wildlife — such as kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies — for food and access to waterholes. As a result of more open vegetation, it can make it easier for feral cats and foxes to hunt native wildlife, Ritchie added. "Further, Australia has over 1000 species of threatened plants, and grazing by introduced and feral herbivores, including donkeys, increases their risk of extinction," he said. To make matters worse, feral donkeys are "generalist and very hardy herbivores" and have the potential to invade most terrestrial ecosystems in the country. "Given that Australia's ecosystems are already under severe pressure from a range of threats, we must do all we can to prevent any further new and compounding impacts, such as those posed by the spread and increased abundance of feral donkeys." How can the public fight back? Across the vast areas where feral donkeys are found, the most effective control methods include aerial and ground shooting, exclusion fencing, and — where terrain allows — localised trapping and mustering. Another technique involves using "Judas donkeys" — sterilised donkeys fitted with tracking devices that are released to join wild herds, making it easier for authorities to locate and cull the rest of the group. But, because they occur over "very large areas of arid and northern Australia, much of which is in very remote and rugged" country, this is difficult, with little to no road access to some regions. "They also occur in very large numbers in some areas, meaning control efforts need to be substantial and sustained in order to meaningfully reduce their numbers and impacts," Ritchie said. He said this highlights the essential need for early intervention when it comes to invasive species. "It's far cheaper and easier to control a population of invasive animals before they become established, abundant, and widespread. Donkeys are no different in this respect. Intervening early also minimises any potential harm to the environment and agriculture," Ritchie said. In recent decades, it's estimated that in excess of $80 million has been spent on donkey eradication efforts, with over 500,000 killed in the Kimberley Region of WA alone since the 1970s. "All invasive species can potentially have significant impacts on Australia's wildlife and ecosystems, and they can compound other threats," Ritchie added. 🎣 Plea after fisherman fined $2000 for 'doing the wrong thing' 🏡 Worrying find in suburban town highlights growing problem 🌳 Aussies urged to know telltale sign as pest threatens every state In some areas, ecosystems might be affected by multiple invasive, large herbivores and omnivores, meaning the total grazing pressure on vegetation is unsustainable and can lead to biodiversity decline and extinction. "In northern Australia, for example, some areas have feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral water buffalo and feral pigs, all in the same area. In arid Australia, feral camels, feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral goats and introduced European rabbits may all co-occur," Ritchie said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Summerside approves new family shelter, but more services still needed, says non-profit
A path has been cleared to allow for the construction of a new family emergency shelter geared toward women and their children in western P.E.I. Summerside council voted unanimously Monday night to rezone a portion of the city to allow LifeHouse to expand its services by building a new five-bed shelter. Shelby Pitre, the outreach co-ordinator for the organization, said the current shelter is often at capacity. LifeHouse, which is run with support of BGC Summerside, had to turn away around 80 women in 2024 because it was full. "This rezoning for the shelter is absolutely incredible," Pitre said. "It just provides safety and security to women who wouldn't have had it otherwise." Pitre said the expansion will add the shelter's first accessible room, and will offer both transitional and permanent housing options. 'Sad statistic' JP Desrosiers, Summerside's chief administrative officer, said he was surprised to hear how many women had been turned away from the shelter last year. "As a resident and a representative of the City of Summerside, it's a sad statistic," he said. "I'm glad to see a local community group like the BGC to step up and provide services." While the city hasn't opened shelters itself, Desrosiers said council has been supportive of the operators that have. "I think, generally speaking, they're all doing a good job," he said. "I think that's noticed by the nearby residents, when we have a rezoning like [Monday] night and virtually no commentary to the contrary at all." Elysha Whitlock, executive director of The Village Summerside, a non-profit dedicated to helping the vulnerable and unhoused population, echoed Derosiers' sentiments about LifeHouse. "It's absolutely heartbreaking to hear that high volume has been turned away," Whitlock said. "They can only do what they're able to do, and with the high volume they have helped, it's completely understandable that they just don't have the space." She said The Village Summerside recently helped a woman and her child with a damage deposit on a rental home after they'd spent 18 days at a motel. "You don't necessarily see unhoused families in park settings. Just because we're not seeing it, does not mean it's not there," she said. "Everybody's really struggling right now, and we've had to accept the fact that we've started assisting with damage deposits." Whitlock said Summerside needs to have different types of support. She's advocated in the past for low-barrier shelters that serve people in active addiction, but said that can't always be possible "Ideally in the future, perhaps there could be an option to open a low-barrier, strictly women's shelter for those females who aren't necessarily comfortable in a shelter environment," she said. "For now, I think we've made great strides... and I am absolutely thrilled to hear the news of the new family emergency shelter opening up." Staff with LifeHouse said they aren't sure when the new shelter will open, but that ideally they'd like to have it up and running by next year.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Search underway for missing boater off Labrador coast
A search and rescue effort is underway for a missing boater off the east coast of Labrador, a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre spokesperson told CBC News on Tuesday. The missing boater is aboard a 20-foot sailboat, with a last reported position — from one week ago — estimated to be 296 kilometres, or 160 nautical miles, off of Cartwright. The JRCC said the sailor had been updating friends and posting on social media about the trip. The last time they were heard from was on Thursday. A Hercules aircraft was deployed from Trenton, Ont., and the Canadian Coast Guard sent vessels to the area to participate in the search. PAL aircraft are also helping in the search. The JRCC said the person is from Tadoussac, Que., and sailed out of Blanc Sablon with the intention of reaching Greenland. No other details are available. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page. Solve the daily Crossword
