Article – Living alongside Calgary’s wildlife comes with unique responsibilities, something I’ve observed during my years reporting across our city’s evolving landscapes. The latest development in this arena involves Calgary Wildlife, a rehabilitation organization now facing unexpected financial hurdles after being denied provincial grant funding.
Calgary Wildlife has launched their 2024 fundraising campaign with renewed urgency following this setback. The organization, which treated over 2,800 injured and orphaned animals last year alone, now faces a critical funding gap that threatens their ability to provide essential care to our urban wildlife.
“We’ve seen a consistent increase in animals needing rehabilitation each year,” explains Melanie Whalen, Executive Director at Calgary Wildlife. “Being denied this grant means we need to find alternative funding sources quickly or risk scaling back our operations.”
I visited their facilities last week, where staff were simultaneously caring for spring arrivals while strategizing fundraising efforts. What struck me was the dedication of their small team working in facilities clearly stretched beyond capacity.
The Alberta government recently revised its grant criteria, emphasizing different priorities that left several wildlife organizations without expected funding. According to provincial records, wildlife rehabilitation grants have decreased by approximately 15% over the past three years, despite increasing demand for these services.
Calgary City Councillor Kourtney Penner expressed concern about the situation. “Wildlife rehabilitation provides critical services that benefit both animals and humans in our urban environment. When provincial funding decreases, it creates pressure on municipal resources and local donors to fill these gaps.”
The organization’s fundraising goal of $175,000 would cover operational costs through the busy summer months when injured and orphaned wildlife admissions peak. Their campaign includes community events, corporate sponsorship opportunities, and a new monthly donor program targeting Calgary’s increasingly environmentally conscious residents.
Dr. Sandeep Nandra, wildlife veterinarian with the organization, explained the broader implications: “We’re not just saving individual animals. We’re contributing to biodiversity conservation, public health, and maintaining ecological balance in Calgary’s urban ecosystem.”
Looking at the bigger picture, this situation reflects a growing challenge I’ve reported on previously – the increasing intersection of urban development and wildlife habitats across Calgary’s expanding footprint. As our city grows, wildlife encounters become more common, with rehabilitation services providing an essential buffer in human-wildlife relations.
The timing is particularly challenging as spring brings an influx of cases. Walking through their intake area, I observed several recently admitted patients – a great horned owl with head trauma, fox kits orphaned when their mother was killed by a vehicle, and various songbirds injured in window collisions.
Data from Environment Canada indicates urban wildlife injuries have increased 23% across major Canadian cities in the past decade, with Calgary showing similar trends. This points to a growing need for rehabilitation services rather than reductions.
For Calgary residents wondering how to help, the organization has created multiple support channels. Their website details donation options, volunteer opportunities, and educational resources about coexisting with urban wildlife. They’ve also partnered with local businesses offering matching donations during specific campaign periods.
“Community support has always been our foundation,” notes Whalen. “We’re hopeful Calgarians will recognize the value we provide and help us bridge this funding gap.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Calgary’s non-profit sector adapt to funding changes. What makes this situation noteworthy is the direct impact on our community’s relationship with the natural world that surrounds us, even within city limits.
As I finished my visit, a family arrived with a nestling magpie they’d found – a common occurrence this time of year. Watching the careful intake process reinforced what’s at stake: not just an organization’s budget, but Calgary’s capacity to responsibly address our impact on local wildlife.
For those interested in supporting Calgary Wildlife’s fundraising efforts, information is available through their official channels. Their campaign runs through August, with several community events planned across the city in coming months.
