Sunday 11 September 2016

Raccoon Release in the forest

This was so much fun! It gives me hope that these precious little baby raccoons were taken in and cared for since the spring. They were found in a brood of 7, orphaned in Smiths Falls, and taken in by Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Only 4 survived. They have to be released within 15 km of where they were found, and that worked here! I am an avid watcher of Hope for Wildlife, in N.S. There are many who devote their time to critters. It doesn't matter where you volunteer, just do it! We volunteer with seniors, others work with children. It all works out!

First, one cage was opened. They were so happy to see a tree. Then, the 2nd carrier. They then ran from tree to tree, trying each one, moving along the forest. It was so joyful to see!

You can see from the video, they were trying to do selfies on the trailcam. They looked so happy! They will join Aethelred bear, the other raccoons (Butch & Sundance),  Jaws (our goldfish pond watersnake), the 3 coyotes and Bambi and fawns, our Barred owl family, and our porcupine.



At the end of the day, a rainbow. Hard to see, harder to photograph, but it was there. It was, to me, a sign. Then, overnight, we had 12.7 mm or glorious rain. I could imagine our raccoons dancing in the rain!


Further research shows that there was much controversy surrounding releasing of wildlife. McGinty's government decided that a mandatory release of within 1 km of rescue was the law. The front line workers and stakeholders (volunteers, wildlife groups), lobbied, since this was nigh impossible in big cities. They changed the laws in 2005. Rabies was the big issues, but they have realized that trapping raccoons in cities (like the event we saw in Niagara-on-the-lake), inoculating them and releasing them, prevents the spread of rabies.

Toronto, Wednesday, November 9, 2005: Actions by the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsay reached a new low when his staff posted regressive changes to regulations governing wildlife rehabilitators. This was done just days prior to the start of an international wildlife rehabilitation conference being held in Toronto this week.  Ministry staff tried to spin the changes as "a good news story" for rehabilitation. 

14 comments:

Hilary said...

So sweet! You know how I love raccoons.. hopefully these guys will do well through the winter.

Unknown said...

Good Morning!

Thought in Ontario it is illegal to relocate wildlife more than one kilometer?

Thanks

Jenn Jilks said...

@Rideau Ferry. There are new regulations (2005) , which don't make sense for large cities. They must release them within 15 km of the rescue site. The staff were quite clear on this.
Civilians cannot harass, injure, or relocate critters. This included moving them about.

Unknown said...

If it is 15kms, Rideau Valley should update their website as they seem to indicate the 1km. The link leads to a Nov 9/05 press release from "Wildlife Ontario" that mentions 15kms, though can't seem to find the specific reg...hard to navigate these sites by cell phone, may have to wait until we're back in the country.
Thanks

Jenn Jilks said...

Yes, @RF, I looked everywhere. It seems as if young 'uns are released within 1km, but mature ones 15 km. The MNR website is difficult to access. I trust that Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary knows that they are doing. They seemed quite happy in the forest and haven't see a sign of them.

Anvilcloud said...

I hope they enjoy a good life along with Æthelred.

Nancy J said...

And your delightful wildlife family has just grown a little. Hope they stay, keep well,and have lots of fun with trees and everything else they enjoy. the larger release area makes sense, even over here, I wouldn't want to release any animal too close to a city or town.

William Kendall said...

They seem pleased.

The storms that blew through overnight were quite dramatic. One of the trees near my place went down.

Out To Pasture said...

Best of luck to all our wild folk! I was wondering how they sheltered during the dramatic storm of last night.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
A special and auspicious occasion! YAM xx

Ohmydearests said...

how wonderful! I have always been fascinated by raccoons... they are so beautiful.

Crafty Green Poet said...

lovely to see the raccoons back in the wild!

carol l mckenna said...

Fascinating post and photos ~ love them

Happy Creating ~ ^_^

Jans Funny Farm said...

That must have been so fun to witness. Can just imagine the joy of freedom for them.