In the wake of a successful fundraising event on September 28, Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society (PROWLS) has begun the process of leasing land to build a rehabilitation facility in Powell River.
“We are talking to the municipality about leasing a five-hectare piece of the airport surplus land,” said Merrilee Prior, Powell River’s so-called “Bird Lady” and one of the founding members of PROWLS. “The mayor, Dave Formosa, is very enthusiastic about the project, so now we’re onto the next steps, including paying for a survey of the land and installing power, water and septic services. The fundraiser last month could not have come at a better time. We raised $10,000, which will help us get on our way with building this facility.”
This is the first time PROWLS has held this type of fundraiser. Three of Prior’s friends organized the event, which included a dinner and live and silent auctions.
“We weren’t sure if we could sell 75 tickets,” said Prior, “but we sold out very quickly. People have already been asking us when next year’s tickets are going on sale.”
The event was emceed by Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, who is a birder of long standing, and dentist Dr. Ashok Varma acted as auctioneer. Many local artisans donated items to the auctions.
“Debbie Dan donated a painting for our invitations,” said Prior. “We made 75 signed and numbered prints of the painting for the invitations, and then we auctioned off the original at the fundraiser. When it sold for $1,400, we all nearly fell over. It’s so gratifying to know we have that much support from the community.”
Prior said the vision for PROWLS is to have a complete rehabilitation centre in Powell River.
“Right now, I have to send most of the raptors, owls and mammals away to other rehabilitation centres,” she added. “I work with the songbirds in my house, but even then I don’t really have enough room.”
Five hectares might seem like a lot of land, but Prior said it is needed.
“Doctor Barnes [of Westview Veterinary Hospital] has already told us to build at least 50 per cent bigger than we think we’ll need,” she said. “And it’s important to keep in mind the size of some enclosures. For example, an eagle cage is the size of a football field, and you can only put two eagles in one cage. This year, we had five eagles come through PROWLS.”
Prior also believes an interpretive centre is an important part of educating the public about wildlife rehabilitation.
“This is not about cuddling baby birds,” she said. “With 60 per cent of our planet’s species at risk of extinction in the next 50 years, we need to up our game. I have had almost every local and migratory bird that is on the species-at-risk list for this area come through PROWLS. It’s important for us as a community to do what we can to help our wildlife.
“We can make a big difference, one bird at a time.”
