The university released yesterday (Thursday, July 16th) they have reversed their decision: wildlife services will return with the rest of ZEW services on August 18th, as part of the scheduled July 22nd to August 17th closure. This is incredible news and means they are listening to our concern! The university review on wildlife will continue with a planned completion date of November 1st, 2026. The VMC ZEW clinicians will be able to continue treating wildlife in the meantime.
While this news will let us catch our breath, the fight for wildlife at the WCVM is far from over. The VMC has been reviewing all clinical services over the past year and is looking for ways to maintain the quality of training and sustainability of the working environment. Wild animals unfortunately do not come with an owner attached to the bill to cover costs for hospitalization, treatments, surgeries, and clinician time. That means that wildlife clinical services continue to be vulnerable to being cut from WCVM offerings by the university. We need to be their voice and fight for the VMC’s essential wildlife medical services.
The review on wildlife is part of a schedule review on all VMC clinical services, as part of the Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife (ZEW) assessment. Wildlife is an essential part of ZEW at the VMC and the WCVM. If, after their review, the university still decides to close wildlife services, it will only lead to reduced case loads for veterinarians and students learning in the VMC on rotation, internship or through a residency. Zoo and exotics services alone simply do not provide enough avian exposure for students coming through their department, particularly critical cases. This means that on the 2-week elective rotation available for 4th year students, that they may only touch a bird once—that is simply not enough for entry-level competence in avian medicine. While yes, there are opportunities for externships elsewhere in the world, it puts a restraint on those wishing to learn North American wildlife and avian medicine where they will be practicing.
In light of this success, it only gives us more reason to continue raising awareness about the WCVM/VMC wildlife review and the need for more government wildlife funding. We must continue putting pressure on decision makers that wild animals of this world deserve to have their voice heard—deserve the money put towards education, research, medicine, conservation, and training. The Crown is responsible for anything on its land in Canada—animals live on Crown land and therefore it is the government’s responsibility to take care of these animals.
Keep spreading the word. They have listened so far. Make them keep listening.
Photo Taken at Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation by Alyssa Meili