THE GOOD PLACE
A Healing Haven
The Medicine River Wildlife Centre helps wildlife, educates the public and provides a sanctuary that offers a second chance to all, whether on paws or feet.
By Jen Mallia
(From top) The property offers wildlife-themed playground, nature trail and picnic area for visitors to enjoy on educational visits; Carol Kelly, founder of MRWC. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF MEDICINE RIVER WILDLIFE CENTRE
WHEN A PACKAGE from Georgia arrived in central Alberta last year, its recipients got a big surprise. Upon opening it, out hopped a tiny squirrel tree frog. Luckily, the recipients knew to call the staff at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, who were more than happy to take it off their hands, literally. Now named Acorn, the thumbnail-sized hitchhiker has found a new home — a nice, humid terrarium at MRWC’s education facility.
Displaced amphibians aren’t the only beneficiaries of the centre, now in its 41st year of operation. Founder Carol Kelly and her team tend to all kinds and sizes of injured, orphaned and compromised wildlife. Simultaneously, Kelly and team are shepherding the growth of MRWC toward a focus on humans, too, with an educational hub, volunteer programs and a sanctuary for people looking to find themselves again.
Kelly estimates that 99 percent of the health issues she sees in wild animals are caused by human interference — motor vehicle accidents, collisions into glass windows and injuries inflicted by domestic pets. Educating the public has now become as important as the centre’s animal hospital. MRWC currently runs a robust education program that welcomes visitors on-site and dispatches educators to local schools and community groups.
“He’s just one of several stories where [volunteers] have connected with the animals, and with nature, and gone on to be quite successful.”
In 2017, the centre became a work release site for inmates from the nearby Bowden Institution medium-security correctional facility. Carefully vetted inmates volunteer to join the crew on-site and get involved in caring for the animals and helping in the construction of new or expanded facilities, such as the raptor compound, a playground, the hospital and, more recently, the visitor centre.
Kelly speaks with pride about an inmate who volunteered at the centre. “When he stepped out of the vehicle for the first time and looked around, [he said] his first thought was ‘I think I’m going to like it here.’ He’s just one of several stories where [volunteers] have connected with the animals, and with nature, and gone on to be quite successful.”
She reports that, to this day, he continues to visit the centre, attending open houses on occasion. “We take all comers,” says Kelly.
The new visitor centre is set to open next year with expanded hours and programming, which means more opportunities for everyone — animals and people alike — to connect. AMA
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