Winter Wildlife Care: Providing Food + Medical Support for Alberta’s Wildlife

On behalf of the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation, we would like to sincerely thank the Field Law Community Fund Program for the $2,000 Fielders’ Choice Award. It is truly an honour to have been personally selected by your team, and we are so grateful to know that our work resonates with your organization.

The funding we received directly supported the purchase of essential food and medical supplies for the wildlife in our care. From superworms, feeder mice, and quail for our birds of prey and mammals, to leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn, and eggs for our omnivorous patients, these funds helped ensure every animal received proper nutrition during a critical stage of rehabilitation. The grant also allowed us to purchase much-needed hospital supplies and medications. So far in 2026 alone, these resources have supported the care of 49 animals, while also helping us prepare for the busy spring and summer seasons ahead. Some patients who benefited from this support include a White-breasted Nuthatch, Bohemian Waxwing, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tiger Salamander, and even our first Black Bear cub of the year, each receiving specialized care with the goal of eventual release back into the wild.

One particularly remarkable patient is a Snowy Owl, the first admitted to our facility since 2019. She arrived on February 8 after being found injured along a roadside near Drumheller, Alberta, with a fractured leg and multiple wounds, likely the result of a vehicle collision. She is now receiving daily medication, nutritional support, enrichment, and careful monitoring from our veterinary team. A bird of prey in rehabilitation eats an average of four to five mice per day, approximately $10 in daily food costs alone. Support from the Field Law Community Fund Program has made it possible for us to provide this level of intensive, ongoing care not only to her, but to dozens of other animals during these critical winter months.

The funding we received is making a tangible difference in our community by giving injured and orphaned wildlife a second chance. Each animal successfully rehabilitated and released contributes back to Alberta’s ecosystems, helping maintain the balance of our shared natural environment. Thank you for helping make this life-saving work possible. We are deeply grateful for your support.