Speaking of Wildlife staff are reeling after a bizarre incident this weekend left one sanctuary animal dead, one in critical condition, and others on a watch list.
Speaking of Wildlife (SOW), an animal sanctuary for native Ontario animals just north of Orillia, is home to almost 50 permanent animal and bird "residents." They are living there for various reasons, often due to human causes, that make them unable to live safely in the wild.
The staff at SOW strive to ensure these residents live their lives peacefully and happily at the sanctuary, providing care and compassion to these special critters.
This peace was cruelly disturbed on Saturday when SOW owner Krystal Hewitt came back from facilitating a wildlife show to find Dior, one of the two resident skunks, lying motionless in his enclosure.
"He was perfectly himself on Friday, demonstrated a lack of appetite on Saturday morning (which we attributed to stomach upset from a new kibble used in his diet and training sessions) and by just a few hours later, he had become lethargic and congested.”
Hewitt rushed Dior to emergency care, but, he passed away upon arrival. From onset of symptoms to death was less than 18 hours.
“Dior was a nice, friendly little guy,” said SOW staff member Jamie Proctor. “He liked to have his back scritched and was always happy to see you.”
The skunk's death is difficult to fathom.
“Whenever an animal falls ill and/or passes away unexpectedly, we review recent care logs and husbandry notes, identify any changes to food, enclosure, etc. to evaluate any and all environmental causes and, where cause isn't clear, we will have a post-mortem examination completed,” said Hewitt.
“Dior's rapid onset of symptoms, cause of death and the post-mortem all suggest he suffered and died of (rodenticide) poisoning," said Hewitt.
"Our review of his care log and all environmental factors confirm the only change and plausible cause is the recently donated bags of kibble (some of which were open).”
Given this concern of poisoning, and the fact that several animals at the centre had been exposed to or ingested the affected kibble, it was imperative that Vitamin K therapy begin immediately for all those animals, Hewitt explained.
The team jumped into action, ensuring initial doses were administered before midnight Saturday.
“The affected animals are Chanel (Skunk), Rocket and Scout (Raccoons), Maple (Coyote), Cinder (Grey Fox) and Poe, Coal and Sudbury (Ravens),” said Hewitt.
Chanel and Rocket were the next to fall ill. Rocket has responded well to treatment while Chanel is currently fighting for her life in an incubator. All the others are currently asymptomatic and holding steady. Vitamin K Therapy will continue for more than 30 days, Hewitt said.
“Our team is heartbroken and distraught,” said Hewitt. “This is an unimaginable situation. But, while our minds and hearts swirl with questions and so many emotions, we remain focused on our beloved animal residents and their treatment. We are doing all that we can to fix and protect them.”
She said it's not known who donated the kibble as it was one of several bags donated after a recent public event. It's also not known if it was intentionally meant to harm the animals.
For now, the staff are focused on ensuring the animals' health. It's been a team effort to mitigate the impact, Hewitt explained.
“We will forever be thankful to our SOW team, veterinarians, colleagues, families, friends, and supporters for all they've done to support us through this awful time," she said.
SOW team members and supporters worked through the weekend, despite their grief and upset, providing after-hours medical support and care, 24-hour monitoring, emptying and cleaning enclosures, sorting and taking inventory of current and safe feed supplies, and ensuring the animals' comfort.
“The affected kibble was replaced and so many people sent well wishes, offered help, brought food for the humans," said Hewitt. "There's so much to be grateful for.”
There is also much still needed to get SOW through this incident. The Vitamin K therapy has already cost $400 and costs will soar upwards as the animals complete their 30-day regimen.
Ground meat and other high-value foods must be purchased to administer this medication orally. On top of that, revenues will be down over the next while as the centre is closed to tours, and some off-site programming is cancelled, both of which are the ways the centre makes money to pay its expenses.
“We need time and patience while we tend to our animals and heal our hearts; the centre is currently closed to tours and visitors,” explained Hewitt.
“Please send positive vibes and healing thoughts only. This is a horrendous situation, but we can't dwell on the negatives. We need to stay focused on our animals and on healing and recovering, for all of us.”
If financially able, donations are welcome and gratefully received, by etransfer to [email protected].
