.jpg)
After a tragic loss in the wild, a new guest has arrived at the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.
Caring for all creatures
Zoe Nakata, executive director at Wildlife Haven, says their facility treats a variety of critters in need. In 2025 alone, Wildlife Haven has cared for over 177 different species.
“Baby otters, baby pelicans, eagles and owls. All sorts of animals,” Nakata explains.
She notes Wildlife Haven has two distinct goals in mind when caring for an injured creature.
“Our priority No. 1 is to get animals healthy and strong, but right alongside that (is) priority No. 2, keep them wild.”
Lynx love
After a heartbreaking ordeal in the Swan River conservation area, a 20-week-old lynx has begun her recovery at Wildlife Haven.
Following a dog attack that killed her mother, local residents worked with conservation officers and Gardewine Transport to bring the orphaned lynx to safety.
“We were able to stabilize her, and now, start the journey to treat her back to health.”
The lynx would have remained with her mother until the spring and still requires intensive early-stage care.
“She was a little bit roughed up. She had missed several feedings, but she’s getting stronger every day, which we are all thrilled about.”
Nakata says the young lynx has started exploring her enclosure, slowly acclimating to her new, temporary habitat.
“We put a lot of natural elements into her enclosure — branches and stumps and all these things that she can smell and explore,” Nakata says.
She notes her team tries to be as hands-off as possible during her treatments.
“We’ve got two staff members that are in charge of her care. That’s one of our strategies.”
Instead of entering her enclosure, Nakata says the team uses GoPros and trail cams to monitor her behaviour.
“(We’re) giving her a lot of opportunities to hide and develop all those natural behaviours without the humans,” she explains.
They’ve started her on a diet designed to mirror what she would eat in the wild, including soft meats and raw chicken. The team plans to transition her to live prey training — a crucial step for animals preparing for release.
“We need to make sure that once she’s out there, she knows how to hunt.”
Call of the wild
While the goal is to release the lynx back to her natural environment, Nakata says that outcome is not guaranteed.
“If in fact we feel that she’s not going to thrive in that (natural) environment, we work with accredited zoos. Assiniboine Conservancy is our main partner. We’ll work with them or one of their partners throughout Canada to find the absolute best home for her.”
Supporting the species
Curious about what goes on behind the scenes? Wildlife Haven is hosting an open house on Sept. 20 and 21— an opportunity to step inside the facility and see the work in action.
“You get to see where she gets her treatment, where we prepare her food. We’re going to have a video feed into her enclosure,” she says.
“It’s a really great opportunity. It costs a lot. We need skilled teams, we need the best food available, all the enrichment. It costs about $50 per day for her care,” Nakata explains.
Wildlife Haven is accepting donations to help support her recovery and that of other injured wildlife.
“We have an online auction coming up Sept. 16, so folks can check that out too,” Nakata says.
All donations go directly toward helping the lynx and other wild animals in need.
Visit the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre website for more details.
--
Written with files from Corny Rempel