The MARS Wildlife Rescue has been active in the Merville, BC community (east side of Vancouver Island) for over 20 years with a mission to conserve and protect native wildlife and its natural habitat through education and rehabilitation.
ClaimsPro’s Nicole Booth, District Manager, Courtenay, BC explains how she was drawn to this organization: “I had been a fan and a supporter in other ways for a number of years leading up to the time I joined as a volunteer. I would see MARS out at events in the community and each time they would ask if I was interested in volunteering. “No” became my stock answer because I was busy with work and other things. Then one year I attended the open house at their new hospital facility, and they asked again if I was interested in volunteering. “No” was on the tip of my tongue, but somehow “yes” came out instead! And I’ve never regretted it for a single day since.”
“I started volunteering in the hospital and loved it from the first day. I think part of what I enjoyed was the ability to learn new things and develop new skills that were completely different from anything I do at my ‘day job.’ And the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. The more I helped, the more I wanted to help. It was and is an amazing feeling! I spent several years gaining experience but the desire for knowledge is really what led me to getting my certification, which then allowed me to learn more and grow more.”
The role of a certified rehabilitation assistant at the wildlife hospital includes duties like feeding, cleaning, providing medical treatments and rehabilitation of all kinds of birds and mammals. But also rescues in the wild. Nicole remembers the first bird she rescued on her own: “It was a trumpeter swan that had suffered a head injury. I had been given the skills to know how to handle this pretty large bird, but I was out on my own and representing MARS to the public, so I was nervous. Everything went smoothly: I covered the swan, picked it up, placed its neck around mine, and then stood up. The people who had called it in were so impressed, despite the fact that my heart was beating a mile a minute. But I will never forget the pride I felt in that moment.”
“Over the years, as my experience level has grown, so has the range of situations I get involved in. I get to feed babies – whether that’s an owl, ducklings, baby songbirds, or raccoon kits – there are so many orphaned animals each year that need help to survive and reach their full potential in the wild. I get to help injured animals – whether that’s by giving them a chance to rest and feeding/cleaning them, or assisting with medical treatments, or sometimes by simply supporting our staff, when hard decisions have to be made.”
“If I had to pick a favourite, I definitely lean towards large birds – particularly bald eagles – they’re probably my favourite and one that I’m most comfortable with. We deal with all sorts of injuries – contaminated feathers, lead toxicity, broken bones, head trauma, open wounds – watching the treatment unfold and the injuries heal, and then monitoring as they move from small crate to cell to outdoor run to flight enclosure – as they get ready for release – it’s a great feeling.”
“I am extremely proud of the work we do and the small part I get to play.”
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MARS rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured, ill, oiled and orphaned wildlife, including all native birds (such as songbirds, marine birds, crows and ravens, and raptors like owls and eagles) and small mammals (such as raccoons, fawns, squirrels, and bats) – to name just a few of the species needing help. MARS took in over 1000 patients last year, with many of these being red-listed species (at risk of being lost - extirpated, endangered or threatened in British Columbia) or blue-listed (native species considered to be of special concern or formerly vulnerable in British Columbia). By combining education, community partnerships, and rehabilitation of native wildlife, MARS is making a positive contribution to the world by building awareness and encouraging stewardship of the natural world. For more information about MARS Wildlife Rescue, please visit: Home - MARS Wildlife Rescue
Pictures:
Nicole with Owl Brinley
Eagle Handling
Baby Birds
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About the Volunteer Spotlight Series
During Canada’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 19–25, an Insider article invited our people to share their volunteering stories. Six stories were chosen to be promoted in this summer series so that their contributions and the great work of their organizations could be recognized by a larger audience. This is profile 3 of 6. The next article in the series will be posted on August 10 for a little Monday Motivation.