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On April 1st, the Lambeth Lions Club and Rotary Club held a combined meeting, but the stars of the show were Brydget, a red-tailed hawk that is a wildlife ambassador for Salthaven and Brian Salt, Salthaven's founder. This volunteer centre hosts an amazing variety of wildlife, anything from tiny songbirds to deer, which have suffered some sort of injury, be it poisoning, broken limbs, or orphaned. Many of the creatures are the result of being displaced because of human encroachment on their habitat.
In his fascinating presentation, Brian Salt explained how [the] 100 acre farm, just outside of Mt. Brydges, is a temporary home to dozens of creatures which need a lot of TLC, good food and sometimes medical attention too. Broken limbs and dehydration are very common as are the water fowl whose plumage are often ruined by oil slicks and other pollutants. Brian and his 45 volunteers spend countless hours, patiently cleaning and helping these creatures of the wild, and when professional help is needed, two veterinarians, Dr. Susan McNabb at the Lambeth Animal Hospital and Cr. Tyrell DeLangley, from the Oakridge Animal Clinic, lend their professional assistance. The objective of the facility is to treat and release these creatures back into their natural habitat. Brian has been doing this work since 1985 and is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Canadian Wildlife Service. He pointed out that there is always more work than needed, and since the operation is strictly a charity, donations are mightily appreciated. Some of his volunteers include nurses and students but Brian gratefully accepts any offers to help with the feeding programmes and cleaning of cages. Orphaned animals and birds make up the most of their 'patients' but with all the dozens of phone calls they get, Brian's staff can only help with about 10% of the requests for help.
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As Brian points out, "We have a stewardship/responsibility to planet Earth. Many of the creatures that we care for, are sick, and if they are returned to the wild in that manner, they will only spread their sickness, and many of the illnesses affect humans, i.e. West Nile disease and Lyme disease, just to name a couple. Even raccoons carry a lethal parasite. We really need a larger facility to handle the work load. "Angela Willer, Brydget's trainer, stated that this year they are hoping to release the red-tailed hawk. However, if its wing is not healed enough, the hawk will be trained for presentations in the various schools, service clubs and TV shows where Brian does speaking engagements on local wildlife issues. The farm always appreciates offers of help for the many birds, fawns, and other woodland creatures that would just like some care and understanding.
If you would like to be a volunteer, call Brian at 519-264-2440.
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