An iconic rare bird and two orphaned bear cubs are currently in the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington.
The juvenile raven was brought to the centre approximately one week ago and was in rough shape, said Derek Downes, one of the animal care technicians tasked with nursing it back to health.
91裸聊视频淚t was on the ground and it suffered some injuries to its feet,91裸聊视频� said Downes. 91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e an extremely rare mutation, well-documented in this part of the world, specifically the (Parksville Qualicum Beach) area, which is why they have been dubbed the sacred white raven.91裸聊视频�
The centre has occasionally cared for white ravens over the years but the survival chances for the birds has been slim. Unofficially, according to Downes, they91裸聊视频檝e known of only one that has made it all the way to adulthood.
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91裸聊视频淭hey typically don91裸聊视频檛 do very well,91裸聊视频� said Downes. 91裸聊视频淭hey have compromised immune systems, so we91裸聊视频檙e really, really trying very hard with this one. We91裸聊视频檝e learned in the past of what we can do to help it and we91裸聊视频檙e hoping with this one we91裸聊视频檙e going to have some success.91裸聊视频�
The white raven is not feeding on its own and had to be force-fed, using a tube. Downes said it is getting stronger and improving each day.
91裸聊视频淲e ran a course of antibiotics on him and numerous vitamins and minerals to try to help boost his immune system because that seems to be what lacks with these white ravens,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e really hoping for the best.91裸聊视频�
Downes welcomes the rare knowledge he is picking up from the experience of treating the raven.
91裸聊视频淭his is my first time handling one,91裸聊视频� said Downes. 91裸聊视频淚 have seen photos and videos but never actually seen one up close and been able to actually be hands on in helping and trying to help this bird survive. It91裸聊视频檚 a really magical thing.91裸聊视频�
While the white raven is generating plenty of attention, the centre is also busy caring for two orphaned black bear cubs, after conservation officers rescued them from the Woss area near Campbell River.
91裸聊视频淲e were able to luckily get them and they were still in great condition,91裸聊视频� said Downes. 91裸聊视频淭hey haven91裸聊视频檛 been on their own for very long so these cubs stand a really, really great chance. They have a long journey with us ahead but these cubs are in good hands now and thankfully we91裸聊视频檙e able to do everything we can. They should be able to go back home sometime next year.91裸聊视频�
The centre is also nearly ready to release three black bears rescued a year ago, including 91裸聊视频楥rumpet91裸聊视频� who was only 2.2 pounds when brought to the centre. They will be released at the location where they were found on Vancouver Island.
91裸聊视频淭he old ones are going home and the new ones are coming in for help,91裸聊视频� said Downes. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 an amazing thing to witness and and amazing to be a part of. It91裸聊视频檚 really emotional to think about all the trials and tribulations that those orphan cubs have gone through and to now be on the precipice of going back home.91裸聊视频�
The founder of the centre, Robin Campbell, is proud of the work they91裸聊视频檝e been doing in more than two decades to help distressed and orphaned bears become healthy and be able to return to their natural habitat.
91裸聊视频淏ears are very difficult and there91裸聊视频檚 a huge challenge in doing bears,91裸聊视频� said Campbell. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a huge responsibility that we took on over 25 years ago. We have released hundreds of bears back in the wild. But it never changes.91裸聊视频�
Campbell relishes the thought of the bears91裸聊视频� first night of freedom, with no walls to limit their movements and open to the elements and natural surroundings.
91裸聊视频淭his is so exciting for us, not only for all our successes but also for our failures,91裸聊视频� said Campbell. 91裸聊视频淎nd it is so emotional for us. All animals are very important from small birds to the bears. It doesn91裸聊视频檛 matter what it is. It91裸聊视频檚 such a thrill when you can have a few successes.91裸聊视频�
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