Every year the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured and orphaned raptors across British Columbia. Last year they saved more than 500 birds. Their wildlife rehabilitation facility is a half hour drive from downtown and well worth a visit for budding ornithologists and conservationists.
Helicopters transport injured animals to this Delta-based facility from across the lower mainland. Where possible the team engages local veterinary students to assist with the health needs of birds such as barn owls, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and vultures. If a bird has successfully been rehabilitated they release it back into the wild, if not it will become 'glove trained' and are used for education in local schools.
The centre offers tours run by volunteer education ambassadors. You will learn about local raptors and meet some friendly birds firsthand. I loved listening to the fascinating (and sometimes heartbreaking) stories behind the birds and. It is interesting to learn that even if a raptor is not able to be rehabilitated to the wild it can be used as a foster parent for younger birds saved by the team. They have flight structures up to 300 feet long for injured eagles and even a pond stocked with fish for the Ospreys.
Visits are by donation and there are volunteer positions available too.
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