Sudbury

Warm spring means more wildlife rescues

A wildlife rehabilitation group in Sudbury is worried an early spring could mean a busy summer.

Wild at Heart volunteers concerned centre may have to turn away animals if it becomes overcrowded

A flying squirrel was recently cared for at the refuge centre. (Wild at Heart)

A wildlife rehabilitation group in Sudbury is worried an early spring could mean a busy summer.

Wild at Heart treats injured and sick animals that are brought in from the wild.

Kristy Bailey, who works at the centre, said calls are coming in earlier this year.

Bailey is worried that may result in the centre turning away animals if it becomes overcrowded, particularly in the spring, when baby mammals are discovered.

This kestrel, a member of the falcon family, was brought to the refuge centre. (Wild at Heart)

"You know, as we become more known in the community, we're getting more and more animals coming in every year," Bailey said. "So we're very mindful of the fact that we don't want to ever take in more animals than we can financially care for."

Bailey said the centre accepts animals from across northern Ontario. It’s already caring for about a dozen animals including a fox, several raccoons and some squirrels.

"People call in thinking we’re this really big team with all this equipment to take care of animals," Bailey said. "In reality …we’re mostly just … real animal lovers with lots of knowledge of wildlife."