Bill 5 = Bad news for wildlife!

Greetings!

Despite province-wide protests, Ontario’s Bill 5 officially became law in June.

Most of us who watched the news or listened to the radio heard about the devastating impact this bill will have on indigenous communities and their territories, but many of you may not know the devastating affect this will have on our wildlife.

Bill 5 repeals the Endangered Species Act (ESA) – the act that protected species at risk – and their habitats from harm. The ESA will now be replaced by the Species Conservation Act. This new Act puts the power of protection in the hands of government. They alone can make the choice as to which animals receive protection and which don’t – making species conservation a political decision, not a scientific one.

A concerning aspect of the bill is that it defines an animal’s habitat solely as their nest or den (and the immediate area surrounding it), rather than the forests, wetlands, and/or grasslands essential for their survival. This narrow definition overlooks the critical importance of these broader ecosystems in providing necessary resources such as food and shelter.

I decided to write about Bill 5 today because, while reviewing our patient charts, I noticed we have 7 wild animals, IN CARE RIGHT NOW, that are at risk of extinction…

• 1 Chimney Swift: currently listed as Threatened

• 1 Least Bittern: again, listed as Threatened

• 1 Red-Headed Woodpecker: listed as Endangered

• 1 Butler’s Gartner Snake: Endangered

• And 3 Barn Swallows: currently listed as Special Concern.

As wildlife rehabbers we do our very best to heal the sick, raise the orphaned and mend the injured, but what happens when we release these healthy animals back into a world where they have no where to go?

What can we do? Let's try to repeal the legislation. Write to the premier, your local MP or your mayor. 

Gail

Gail Lenters,

Founder & Chief Animal-Lover

Hummingbirds run on sugar!

Hummingbird feeders are a delightful addition to any backyard. Once set-up, you can watch our native Ruby-throated Hummingbird flit and feed and wonder at the speed of their flight and feathers! BUT, if your feeder is dirty, you could be harming, or even killing, these beautiful birds.

We recently received 2 Ruby-throated hummingbirds with severe fungal infections. When these birds contract infections like this, their tongues swell and it becomes difficult to retract, which can put them at risk of starvation.

The cause of these infections is usually due to unclean feeders or improper nectar mixtures.

“It’s important to scrub your hummingbird feeder regularly because hot and humid weather can promote rapid growth of bacteria, mold, and/or yeast,” says Jose Javier (JJ); one of our Wildlife Rehabilitation Managers. 

How should I clean my feeder… and how often?

Take the feeder completely apart and soak it in a solution of warm water and white vinegar (2 parts water to 1 part vinegar). Let it soak for 10 minutes or so, then rinse in warm water.

We recommend cleaning your feeder every 2 to 3 days – or every 1 to 2 days in a heat wave. And you may want to hang your feeder in the shade – direct sunlight can advance bacteria growth.

And please don’t wait for the nectar to run out in order to clean it!

The right food makes all the difference!

It’s not necessary to buy expensive, store-bought nectar. The best food for hummingbirds can be made in your own kitchen, following this recipe:

• Mix ¼ cup white sugar into 1 cup boiling water until dissolved.

• Cool and fill your clean feeders. Refrigerate leftover nectar in a lidded jar for about a week.

Also, do not add red dye to your solution. While hummingbirds are attracted to the colour red, just choose a red-coloured feeder instead.