Sylvia’s Report
I can clearly remember when Maj came to pick me up at the bus depot in
Courtenay
two months ago. Before even stepping foot into MARS, we stopped at a dog groomer
to ask about an attacked bird, veterinary clinic to centrifuge blood samples,
and fish store to attempt the rescue of a river otter. All this before I had
even unpacked! I remember bracing myself for what the next two months would
entail. This internship would definitely not be a vacation in British Columbia.
I found my first week at MARS the most challenging. I was completely
overwhelmed by everything that I needed to know. I looked at the other interns
and they knew where everything belonged, what everyone ate and why things were
done. Meanwhile, I was still trying to get the names of the buildings straight!
I was trying to be as sponge like as possible in the beginning, hoping to
absorb
everything around me. However, I found the learning curve incredibly steep and I
made mistakes every day. There were many things I had to read about, but I
couldn't internalize them until I had actually seen or done them. There is no
way to be an intern without getting criticized and admonished; however, it's
all to ensure that the animals are taken care of in the best possible way. I
found it difficult to have my energy last for work days lasting at least 12
hours. However, when you take care of an animal, you resign to their schedule,
whether this means getting up at 7 am to feed a baby red squirrel or staying up
until 10:30 pm to tube feed a seal pup.
I knew that MARS was in a rural location, but I could not imagine what that
entailed until I got here. The other interns told me to buy enough food for two
weeks; however, I was used to buying fresh food everyday since my apartment is
across the street from a grocery store. The closest store here is a 45 minute
walk and we are a 10 minute drive from Courtenay. I realized, much to my
dismay, that I was not longer self-sufficient and would not be able to get
anywhere on foot here. I found living in Merville to be an isolating
experience, maybe more so by the fact that I have never experienced living in
the country and that by the end of my stay I was the sole intern. While the
days were busy with animal care and working with other volunteers, I found it
lonely to be here by myself in the evenings.
One of the first things Maj showed me how to do was hold a bird. I was so
afraid
that I would break it or let it fly away. It is incredible to think that in two
months time I have become so comfortable handling birds, even raptors. The
great thing about this internship is the variety of animals I have had the
honor of working with: eagles, owls, songbirds, water fowl, seal pups,
raccoons, red squirrels and deer fawns. One of the things that I appreciate
most about Maj is that she takes what you are interested in and pushes you to
pursue it. I am hoping to become a veterinarian and was given the opportunity
to shadow the veterinarians at Van Isle, Shamrock and Puntledge Vet clinics. I
observed and assisted in a number of procedures and surgeries, which I found so
neat and fascinating.
My favorite field trip was to Nanaimo to work with two
veterinary students who were doing necropsies on our wildlife to test for the
incidence of certain diseases. Unfortunately, I had misread the bus schedule
and missed my bus. However, Maj drove me to Nanaimo because she had known how
much I was looking forward to it and what an opportunity it was. We got to
perform necropsies on a black tailed deer, barred owl, red tailed hawk and
cooper's hawk. The students let me get right in there, and I got to take
different samples and remove the brain, heart and lungs. It was amazing to see
how these animals that I have been taking care of are put together. I am so
thankful to Maj for that opportunity and her push to have interns gain
experience in what interests them.
When I think of the person that arrived here with no wildlife experience,
I am amazed at what I have done: tube fed a great horned owl, burped a seal
pup, assisted with the x-ray of a peregrine falcon's wing, bottle fed an
orphaned raccoon, caught a merlin, administered medication to a great blue
heron, taught a baby robin how to look for worms. The list goes on and on. I'm
not very good at picking favorites and will not claim that I've had a favorite
patient. For me, it has been a pleasure working with every beautiful creature
that has come through these doors. Every single one has made me learn a bit
more not only about animal care but about myself. There were numerous things I
thought I couldn't do, but there was Maj saying not only can you, but you will!
All the experiences and skills I have gained have made all my moments of
being
isolated, exhausted, dirty, hungry and homesick completely worthwhile. I would
recommend this internship to anyone who wants to learn about the life of a
wildlife rehabilitatator.
I would like to thank all the volunteers, especially Jan, Sandy, Renate,
Carole,
Charlotte and Devon, who have been kind enough to treat me to special trips,
treats and meals. Thanks to the other interns for the wonderful times. And
thanks, most of all, to Maj and Keith who have let me stay with them and taught
me about wildlife rehabilitation. I will never forget this
experience.
