I recently visited Irene and Clint Davy in their home, which is also the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. This remarkable couple have done their important work for 30 years in our community from the busy centre on Carmen Road. Donations are what keeps this service to injured wildlife going as there is no government funding. A registered charity, donations are tax-receiptable.
Nearly 10,000 creatures have come through their doors and although all cannot be saved, the Davys, along with a loyal group of volunteers, do their utmost to save and then release the animals. Five volunteers per day plus two part-time staff help them with the animals, but after they leave, Clint’s and Irene’s job continues. Baby birds often require hourly feeding, and they often take calls in the wee hours, but prefer if people can call or bring injured wildlife during daytime hours, when extra help is there.
The Davys appreciate it when people are able to come to the centre with smaller animals but larger animals like eagles will need their expertise and they are happy to be called out to help. Recently the Davys were involved in rescuing an injured eagle from Thormanby Island, a multi-stage operation.
The rarest animals they had were two bobcats, rescued at different times and both returned to the wild. They once had a beaver they named Justin. They receive many injured goslings – one with a stick through its body was named Ryan. Both Justin Beaver and Ryan Gosling were eventually released.
You can probably imagine the food the animals go through – leading to a food bill of around $1,000 per month. Fortunately they often receive donations of fruit, fish and seeds. Dead mice are purchased from a facility in Vancouver. Irene and Clint visit schools to talk about wildlife and often bring Dexter, a barred owl who cannot be released, along with them.
Volunteers are always needed, particularly if they can make a steady commitment. Because many injured birds arrive during the summer months, they rely heavily on summer students. The government program covers the students’ wages, but other related expenses are not funded. What an ideal placement for students studying biology or veterinary science.
Recently a community fundraiser including a Community Forest grant enabled them to purchase a trailer; this will allow them to gradually move the animals from their home and into the trailer. If you are able to volunteer, please phone 604-886-4989 or see www.gibsonswildliferehabcentre.org. Donations are gratefully appreciated. A beautiful 2019 calendar put together by Carl Olsen is being sold for $15. The main fundraiser for the year, a silent auction, will be at Sunnycrest Mall on the weekend of Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.
In other news, many in our community knew long-time Elphinstone resident Stan Jones. There will be a Celebration of Life for Stan at the Frank West Hall on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Contact me with any Elphinstone news at [email protected]
