Medicine River Wildlife Centre

10/31/2026

We recently received a call from a concerned gentleman in Calgary who had spotted a squirrel in his yard with what appeared to be wire wrapped around its leg. He was understandably upset and wasn't sure how he would safely catch the squirrel or remove the wire. We offered to bring out a live trap, and it didn't take long before the little fellow was safely captured and brought to our wildlife hospital.

Upon examination, we discovered that the wire was embedded completely through his leg and wrapped around it. We were able to carefully work the wire free and get him settled into a quiet, low-stress enclosure with plenty of food and antibiotics in his water.

Just one week later, he had made a complete recovery and was more than ready to leave his temporary accommodations! Our staff returned him to his home territory, where the gentleman who first called us was able to watch his release. The squirrel wasted no time making a beeline for his favourite tree.

We'll probably never know exactly how he got himself into that predicament, but we're certainly happy he got a second chance and is back where he belongs! A big thank you to the person who took the time to call and help this little squirrel. Sometimes, simply noticing and caring makes all the difference.

10/30/2026

Spooky, or Simply Spectacular?
A Halloween wildlife series from Medicine River Wildlife Centre:

Few animals have inspired as many frightening tales as the wolf. From eerie howls to glowing eyes in the darkness, wolves have long been cast as villains. The truth? They're fascinating, highly social animals with an essential role in nature.

Howling isn't just for Halloween: Wolves howl to communicate with their pack, maintain contact over long distances, and defend their territory.

Family matters: A wolf pack is generally a family group, often made up of a breeding pair and their offspring. Cooperation helps them raise pups and survive.

A powerful nose: Wolves have an excellent sense of smell that helps them find prey, identify other wolves, and navigate their environment.

Ecosystem engineers: By influencing prey populations and their behaviour, wolves can help shape the ecosystems they inhabit.

Wolves aren't villains, and they're not out to get us. This Halloween, let's leave the scary stories to the movies and appreciate the real wolf for the remarkable animal it is.

🖤 The more we learn about wildlife, the less there is to fear and the more there is to appreciate.

10/30/2026

Spooky, or Simply Spectacular?
A Halloween wildlife series from Medicine River Wildlife Centre:

A black bird perched on a bare branch, calling into the autumn sky? It's practically a Halloween postcard! But crows and ravens are far more than spooky silhouettes. They're among the most intelligent birds on the planet!

Problem-solving pros: Crows can solve complex puzzles and use tools to get food.

Individual personalities: Ravens are playful, curious, and known to engage in activities such as sliding down snowy slopes and playing with objects.

Vocal virtuosos: Both crows and ravens have a wide range of calls and can learn to recognize individual people.

Nature's clean-up crew: As scavengers and opportunistic feeders, they help remove carrion and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

And here's a fun way to tell them apart: ravens are generally larger, with heavier bills, shaggier throat feathers, and a deeper voice. Crows are smaller, with the stereotypical "caw-caw" sound. Plus, this time of year, you are seeing ravens in Alberta as most crows have migrated (although some stick around to brave the cold).

Maybe they're not messengers of doom after all. Maybe they're just the clever, curious neighbours watching everything we do!

🖤 The more we learn about wildlife, the less there is to fear and the more there is to appreciate.

10/28/2026

Every season has its own kind of beauty. Sometimes, all we need to do is slow down, look a little closer, and let the natural world remind us how wonderful it is to be here.

10/28/2026

Spooky, or Simply Spectacular?
A Halloween wildlife series from Medicine River Wildlife Centre:

Bats have been given a rather frightening reputation, but these small, furry mammals are some of nature's most remarkable night-shift workers!

Echolocation experts: Many bats navigate and find insects by emitting high-frequency sounds and listening for the echoes. It's like having their own built-in sonar system!

Mosquito patrol: Insect-eating bats can consume large numbers of insects in a single night, helping to keep insect populations in check.

The only mammals capable of true flight: Unlike flying squirrels, bats don't just glide. They actively fly by flapping their wings.

Winter survival: Some Alberta bats hibernate through the cold months, slowing their metabolism to conserve energy when insects are scarce. The others migrate to warmer locations.

Bats aren't bloodthirsty Halloween villains. They're important members of our ecosystems, and many species face serious challenges from habitat loss and other threats.

🖤 The more we learn about wildlife, the less there is to fear and the more there is to appreciate.

10/27/2026

Learn how to live in harmony with wildlife by visiting our website or reaching out for support.

https://medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca/wildlife-conflict

10/27/2026

Spooky, or Simply Spectacular?
A Halloween wildlife series from Medicine River Wildlife Centre:

With their haunting calls, enormous eyes, and silent flight, owls seem perfectly suited to Halloween. But there's much more to these nighttime hunters than meets the eye!

Silent flight: Specialized feathers help owls fly so quietly that their prey may never hear them coming. This quiet flight also ensures the owl can hear the tiniest movement of small rodents.

Ears that do the work: Owls have asymmetrically positioned ears that help them pinpoint the location of prey using sound alone, even under snow or in complete darkness.

Eyes ahead: An owl's eyes are fixed in their sockets, so they turn their heads to look around. Their flexible necks allow them to rotate their heads up to about 270 degrees!

Not all night owls: Some species, including the Great Grey and Snowy Owls, are often active during daylight hours, too. Comment below if you know what this is called (the opposite of nocturnal).

These incredible birds aren't omens of bad luck. They're skilled predators that help keep ecosystems healthy by managing rodent populations. This Halloween, let's celebrate the real magic of owls!

🖤 The more we learn about wildlife, the less there is to fear and the more there is to appreciate.

10/25/2026

First Aid, Wildlife FAQs, Fostering Info, and Patient Updates can all be found by visiting our website at https://medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca/hospital.

10/24/2026

Raptors come in an incredible variety of shapes and sizes, and their wings, bills, and feet offer clues to how they live. From powerful grips to impressive wingspans, their remarkable adaptations help them hunt, fly, and survive.

Our friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are offering an amazing course - The Wonderful World of Raptors - and are even providing a free, printable poster!

Learn more at the link below and get your poster at:https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/hubfs/Bird%20Academy/WonderfulWorldofRaptors_JoelPopp_BGSKY_updated.pdf

New course open for pre-enrollment! Course content will become available on November 13, 2026. Show Transcript+–[pop] [epic music] [Kevin McGowan] Raptors! [Red-tailed Hawk screech] You know them as majestic and fierce birds of prey. These keen-eyed daytime predators are fast, powerful, and impres...

10/22/2026

Every donation makes a meaningful difference.

https://medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca/support/ways-to-give