Run Wild!
Support the Run Wild team at the Toronto Waterfront marathon October 20, 2013, or start your own team at marathon races held across Canada this fall and spring. Click here for more races to join and build a Run Wild Team!
Join us at the Auction!
Thursday, November 21, 2013 in Toronto. Click here for more details.
Recognition of Conservation Efforts
On April 8, 2013 Wildlife Preservation Canada received a Conservation Group Award, recognising its contribution to endangered species conservation and its collaberative approach. The award notes the accomplishments of Wildlife Preservation Canada and its team over a relatively short period of time in several of its endangered species recovery programs.
The Ontario Endangered Species Act Conference (OESAC) bestowed this award, stating “Your group’s work through the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike recovery program since 2001 has helped to stabilize Ontario’s shrike population, while completing important research. Wildlife Preservation Canada is known for taking a collaborative approach to achieving success.”
OESAC went on to state, “ Your work with multiple partners in the study and conservation of freshwater turtles along the shores of Lake Erie and the development of turtle nest protection programs as well as your commitment to a pollinator program that will focus on a variety of endangered pollinators are significant examples of the importance of your work.”
Executive Director, Elaine Williams, accepted the award of behalf of WPC. “We are honoured to be one of two recipients in the Conservation Group Award category of the first OESA Conference Awards. In particular, we are delighted that the award is recognition of not only the solid recovery science behind our work, put also the pragmatic and collaborative approach WPC takes in species at risk recovery.”
Wildlife Preservation Canada thanks the Ontario Endangered Species Act Conference for this recognition. We also thank Couchiching Conservancy and the Carden Field Naturalists for the nomination. We vow to continue our efforts to save endangered animal species in Canada.
Media Release
Meet Team Shrike – 2012
March 14, 2012
In order to meet the needs of a busy field breeding season, the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program under the supervision of Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) brings together a talented team of conservationists. In the southern Ontario region, they spend their season interacting with landowners, scouting for shrikes returning from their wintering grounds, checking for nests and hatchlings, and working in the field breeding and release facilities. Their work is vital to the progress of the recovery program. Three of this year’s team members introduce themselves here.
Amy Chabot, Napanee Biologist. I have served as a scientific advisor to the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Team since 1994, after completing my Master’s degree on the reproductive biology and habitat selection of the loggerhead shrike in Ontario and Quebec. In 2010 I completed my PhD, which examined the genetic population structure and migratory behaviour and wintering grounds of loggerhead shrike in North America. I have been banding wild shrikes in Ontario since 2008 and have been working with a small, endangered population of loggerhead shrike in Illinois since 2005. I am thrilled to once again be looking for shrikes in the Napanee, Smiths Falls and Pembroke/Renfrew areas.
Aija White, Grey-Bruce Biologist (with a Song Sparrow) I have had a passion for field biology ever since I was a B.Sc. student at the University of Victoria (BC). In 2011, I earned a Masters of Science in Biology at the University of Western Ontario after spending two years researching how predators affect populations of song sparrows in BC’s Gulf Islands. I love working with birds, and have a significant interest in population ecology and conservation of species-at-risk. I am excited to be Wildlife Preservation Canada’s Shrike Biologist responsible for Grey and Bruce counties in 2012. I look forward to participating in WPC’s efforts to recover populations of eastern loggerhead shrike.
Drew White, Carden Biologist I earned my B.S. in Conservation and Restoration Ecology at Utah State University in 2010. I have worked with a variety of plants, mammals and birds including several species being evaluated for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In the last couple years, I have worked primarily with the Greater Sage Grouse, monitoring the survival and nest success of this ground-dwelling species. I also spent three months with the Smithsonian Institute of Conservation Biology working with the elusive Asian clouded Llopard and gaining more experience with captive breeding programs. I’m very excited to work with the unique eastern loggerhead shrike and contribute to its recovery.
Tiny Wheatear Tracked Using Geolocaters
February 29, 2012
Using technology similar to that used by Wildlife Preservation Canada to track the migration of eastern loggerhead shrike, Ontario scientists have recently tracked the journey of the wheatear, a songbird that breeds in the Canadian Arctic and Alaska and spends the winter in Africa. The migration can take from one to three months. Quite a feat for this little bird, weighing about the same as two tablespoons of flour.
http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/gca?allch=&submit=Go&gca=roybiolett%3Brsbl.2011.1223v1
Photo: Rolph Nagel
Seeking Shrike Personnel
December 15, 2011
Wildlife Preservation Canada is seeking experienced field assistants and biologists in two areas for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike (ELOSH) Recovery Program. The Eastern 
Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered with a total of only 21 known pairs breeding in Ontario in 2011. The Carden Alvar is one of the two core areas where ELOSH continue to breed. Wildlife Preservation Canada has been managing a unique and model recovery program for ELOSH since 2001 including wild population monitoring, captive breeding and release, and habitat stewardship projects.
At minimum, applicants should have prior experience with animal care and/or captive breeding, possess knowledge and experience in avian biology, and have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (or possess equivalent knowledge/experience). Bird rehabilitation experience is a major asset. Some bird handling and/or banding experience is also required. Keen observation skills and attention to detail are essential. Successful candidates must be able to work independently, be willing to work long hours in the field and live in rustic field quarters. Applicants should be physically fit, able to endure working in variable weather conditions with exposure to biting insects and enjoy living and working as part of a small team. Additionally, this position requires staff to handle live insects, mice, and occasionally, endangered species.
Positions run from early March through October 2012. Applications will not be considered after February 1, 2012. Check the job postings.
Our Shrikes Spotted on their Winter Migration
November 23, 2011
With only 21 breeding pairs in Ontario in 2011, the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered. Although the cause of decline has been largely attributed to conditions experienced on the wintering grounds, we still don’t know exactly where our shrikes go. Therefore sightings of our banded birds are extremely valuable.
Thanks to keen birders in the migration path, as of November 21, 2011, two of our banded shrikes have been spotted and reported to us.
First Spotting:
We were first notified of a banded shrike in early November. This individual bred in Napanee in 2011 and appears to be spending the winter in Delaware. This is one of only two confirmed records of Ontario shrikes on the wintering grounds! Thanks to Chuck Fullmer for spotting this bird, notifying us and sending the above photo.
Second Spotting:
And another one! Luck is with the shrikes this winter as a second Ontario bird was spotted in the US. This time, a banded bird from Carden was found in Virgina Beach, Virgina. Thanks to Elise Enders for sending us this photo.
To help identify shrikes from the Ontario population, each year both wild and captive-bred birds are banded. Shrikes receive a stainless steel identification band, and a unique combination of plastic colour bands that allow field staff and other birders to individually identify the birds. Shrikes that have been released from our captive breeding and release sites wearing geolocators receive a silver ID band plus a red band, while all other captive and wild birds receive a silver ID band and 3 colour bands. Bands are read top to bottom, starting with the bird’s left leg, then top to bottom on the bird’s right leg. Can you decipher the band combinations in these two pictures?
Project SOAR
October 20, 2011
WPC’s Project SOAR was selected for the $50,000 category of Shell’s Fuelling Change competition running November 2011 through April 2012. A partnership of Wildlife Preservation Canada and the Mountsberg Conservation Centre, Project SOAR is designed to:
- increase the number of captive-bred shrikes released into the wild every year,
- increase our knowledge of the life story and mortality risk factors faced by this migratory songbird by studying it year-round, throughout its migratory cycle, and
- restore and protect more critical habitat so a growing population of shrikes will have a place to call home.
Each project selected for the competition receives $10,000 from Shell. The projects receiving the most votes in each category will receive the full amount. All you need to vote for Project SOAR is an email address and a receipt from a Shell store, so please, vote now and vote often!
Auction Thanks
October 19, 2011
We wrapped up our annual auction on October 16, 2011 in Toronto. All items were donated and all funds raised go directly to our endangered species recovery programs. Thanks to all who attended, our item donors and our sponsors. See you next year!
