Orphaned bobcat ‘sisters' rescued in Mission, B.C., released back into the wild

CTV News27-05-2025

Two rescued bobcat 'sisters' have been released back into the wild.
Two orphaned bobcat kittens are enjoying their first taste of freedom after being released back into the wild, seven months after they were first rescued in Mission, B.C.
In a social media post announcing the release on Monday, the Critter Care Wildlife Society said the farewell to the two female big cats, named Teetonka and Kaya, was 'bittersweet' for staff after a cold season of bonding.
'Their first winter was full of discovery,' the post said.
'They experienced snow for the first time, hesitantly at first, but soon they were lounging in flurries without a care.'
Over the course of the seven months the kittens were given all the care and training needed to ensure they could be safely and successfully reintegrated into the wild, including a carefully managed diet that would encourage them to hunt and forage as they typically would in their natural habitat. Christmas trees generously donated to the centre had become 'perfect hiding spots' for the young hunters, helping them practice their 'stealth and stalking skills,' the post said.
'Rescued as tiny, vulnerable kittens, they grew strong and confident under our care, developing the instincts they need to thrive,' said the society.
'From playful chases to sibling tussles, they spent their days exploring and honing their natural behaviours.'
The two kittens were dubbed 'sisters' after they were found just a half-an-hour distance from each other on the same day in October. Announcing their rescue at the time, Critter Care said it was highly unlikely that they were actually from the same litter, but had become as inseparable as 'real sisters' after their rare joint rescue.
One kitten was found in a barn weighing just four pounds, while the other was rescued from the side of the road weighing less than two pounds, the rescue agency said.
'Watching them grow and develop their wild instincts has been an incredible journey for our team,' the post read.
'We are proud to have given them the best possible start, and we look forward to hearing about their adventures in the wild.'

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Lapu-Lapu memorial service held 40 days after festival attack, in Filipino tradition

CTV News

3 hours ago

CTV News

Lapu-Lapu memorial service held 40 days after festival attack, in Filipino tradition

A Lapu-Lapu memorial service was held June 5, 40 days after the attack on the Filipino festival. It has been 40 days of pain for Vancouver's Filipino community. Forty days of disbelief since a car rammed through a crowd at the Lapu-Lapu festival in April, leaving 11 people dead. On Thursday night in East Vancouver, a service was held to remember those who were lost. 'In Filipino Catholic tradition, the 40 days is very significant,' Crystal Laderas with Filipino BC told CTV News on Thursday. 'It's believed that within the 40 days, the souls of our loved ones are very close to us, and then on the 40th day, they transition to the afterlife and they find peace.' A touching memorial service was held at St. Andrew's Parish Church in East Vancouver, just blocks from where tragedy struck, marking a chance to honour those who died. It's the latest in a series of memorial events since the attack in April which made global headlines – in what has been described as one of Vancouver's darkest days. 'These 40 days recall the ancient story that when people lost their direction, lost their hope, somehow, like Jesus himself, showed himself alive and told them, despite what happened, we have hope,' Father Francis Galvan, who has Filipino heritage, told CTV News outside the church. After the service, those in attendance gathered at the site of the attack, lighting candles and saying prayers for those killed and injured. The days leading up to this event involved a debate over a City of Vancouver plan for a large scale benefit concert at Rogers Arena. That now appears as if it will go ahead, though no date has been set and there are conversations over specifics between the parties involved before any final decision. Filipino BC says Thursday's memorial service isn't closure, and that healing has no schedule. But at least this is a chance to remember – and honour – those who were lost.