Arriving at our friends' house in Kelowna, a note on their door advised they were off rescuing an injured bird from a local golf course. Karen and Hilton Kate were former neighbours in Ladner and active members with the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL).
After moving to Kelowna, they joined a group called the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls, which is active in the recovery and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Their dog Kaida kept us company until their return with a shorteared owl wrapped in a blanket. It was interesting to observe firsthand the communication, recovery and transportation to a veterinary clinic. At last report, the owl was doing well. Without their interest and dedication, the injured owl would have succumbed to an unpleasant death.
Upon returning to Ladner, I arranged a meeting with Bev Day and a tour of OWL's five-acre facility on 72nd Street.
In the mid 1980s, OWL opened its doors with a small administration office and a chicken house for the care of injured and orphaned birds of prey. With strictly volunteer assistance, sponsors and private donations, the society now operates out of 18 buildings and enclosed pens housing 300 raptors at any one time.
There are buildings to control infectious diseases, post-operative recovery units and permanent residences for birds with disabling injuries precluding their return to their natural habitat. There are larger pens for flight conditioning and re-learning hunting skills.
Supported by local veterinary clinics, the society has gained national and international recognition. The premises are bursting at the seams and have the feel of a "Barkerville Village" atmosphere. The main core contains a "school house" and an "oddeytorium" for training and educating volunteers, students and the public on weekly tours and twice-yearly open houses.
Escorted around the site by Clinton, a senior volunteer, the place was humming with adult and teenage volunteers performing various duties. It takes a lot of hands to house, feed and transport resident birds and daily newcomers.
I met Christina from Switzerland, a UBC biology student on a practicum with OWL. Wildlife professionals regularly attend the site from as far away as Taiwan and Australia. This model has gained international attention and Day was a guest lecturer at a wildlife conference in Taiwan.
The head of a 3,500-strong society, she freely gives her time and knowledge to provincial agencies and universities. Fiercely independent, she avoids, where possible, government bureaucracy, but occasionally wonders about the lack of financial support byVictoria.
The local society owes its success to the generosity of veterinary clinics, private businesses, sponsors and citizens at large. This network of services is supported solely by private donations.
The society was recently gifted used X-ray equipment, including examination tables and cages for intensive care from Ambleside veterinary clinic. Through private donors the society was recently thrilled to receive a new transport vehicle and an "ambulance."
Short on space, the society is looking for larger premises.
OWL hosts its annual open house on July 26 and 27. Have a visit, you'll be impressed.
And a good night to you, Bev and Karen.
