Ian Kaufman
May 18, 2023
The Thunderbird Wildlife Rescue has launched a 50/50 draw as it works to revamp the former Chippewa Park Zoo to rehabilitate a range of wild animals.
THUNDER BAY — A wildlife rescue is looking for public support as it establishes a facility for the rehabilitation of animals at the former Chippewa Park zoo.
The Thunderbird Wildlife Rescue has made the appeal, launching a 50/50 draw and a call for volunteers, as it looks to refurbish a section of the zoo the city agreed to lease last year.
After getting the keys in November, Salo and other volunteers with the group have been working to prepare it to host wildlife, a task she described as daunting, but hopes to accomplish this year.
The group’s short-term plans include building a number of species-specific enclosures in the zoo’s former deer pen, revamping the two adjacent flight pens, and renovating the former “bird motel” for use as an office and for additional enclosures, the last of which Salo said is largely complete.
The group can’t welcome wildlife to the site until enclosures are complete and have passed provincial inspection, but it is already keeping chickens at the site to provide food for the birds of prey when they arrive.
The chicken coop will also offer opportunities for volunteers to learn about bird health, proper care, and bio-security measures, Salo said.
In the long run, she envisions rehabilitating aquatic birds and mammals in enclosures over a pond and creek near the flight pens, and helping other animals like foxes, deer, beavers, and herons.
Salo, a certified wildlife custodian, described the former zoo as an incredible springboard for realizing that vision.
“My dream has always been to open up a wildlife rescue here,” she said. “When this place closed, I started formulating the idea that, hey maybe this place wasn’t the best as a zoo, but it could be great as a wildlife rehabilitation centre. It has so much space already available, and it was created for specific, iconic species already that we work with.”
Full article is here: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/pets-animals/thunderbird-wildlife-rescue-takes-flight-at-former-chippewa-zoo-7021265