Potty-mouthed and unwanted, Mrs. Gambolini could easily find a home at Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Essa Township animal sanctuary has been providing a home for unwanted, abused and injured exotic animals for the past 35 years. Many of them are parrots, who like the yellow-headed Amazon parrot left behind by Bunny Folger and bequeathed to Oliver Putnam, played by Martin Short, on the television show, Only Murders in the Building, are obnoxious and loud.
They could also be expensive to keep and have an average lifespan beyond 40 years, sometimes living to age 80.
“People give up a lot of parrots,” explains Bear Creek’s executive director Mary Barros, who, at the latest count, was caring for 17 of the tropical birds. And there is no adopting out nuisance birds, so Bear Creek becomes their lifelong home.
The sanctuary, located on a largely forested 33 acres with enclosures for every species near the township’s northern boundary, was founded in 1989 by Werner Ebner. His wife, Barros, has been keeping it going since he passed away five years ago because, she says, “it has to be done."
“All of the animals here are rescued animals from confiscations and surrenders. We have native species as well," she said.
It all started with native species that couldn’t be rehabilitated. But in 1989 Barros and Ebner received a malnourished, six-month-old tiger that wasn’t expected to survive. She lived to age 22.
The exotics grew from there as more animals arrived from everything from circuses to movie sets, now serving as a permanent home to 147 animals, which includes four big cats, lemurs from Madagascar and native animals like miniature horses, turkey vultures and pot-belly pigs. A great-horned owl that was being kept as a pet arrived 32 years ago.
As a not-for-profit organization Bear Creek, just like Ontario’s other 50 or so licensed rescue centres, relies on the charity of others to keep the animals fed and healthy.
Some of its support comes from Ontario Wildlife Rescue. The volunteer-run organization runs an active website to connect people with the centres. It also sources food which it distributes across the province thanks to Manitoulin Transport.
“The more resources we can get them, the more animals they can look after,” explains Sandy Donald, a director with Ontario Wildlife Rescue.
“For wildlife rescue centres most of them are licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. They take in injured or orphaned animals, rehabilitate them and release them back into the wilds,” says Donald. “We get expired dog or cat food or damaged packages… and we ship it to wildlife rescue centres. There’s no charge for it. It helps them help the animals.”
Manitoulin Transport has delivered 421 skids or 210 tons of food and medical supplies to 23 wildlife rescue centres across Ontario over the last two years. So far this year alone, Bear Creek has received three shipments for a total of 21 skids.
The extra support is more than just helpful at Bear Creek which has three black bears, 10 wolves, seven coyotes and three foxes.
“The bears alone will eat a (50-pound) bag of dog food,” says Barros, adding they also feed on cantaloupe, apples, peaches and pears.
There is a focus on healthy and fresh food and discarded food from grocery stores doesn’t always cut the bill. And the sanctuary accepts no meat donations as part of its quality control practices.
While Bear Creek accepts donations from Costco in Barrie and apples from a Newmarket orchard, produce is typically purchased through the Toronto Food Terminal.
It also accepts donated linens, towels and sheets as well as financial donations, which are down this year, something Barros attributes to tough economic times for many.
Bear Creek operates through two full-time and two part-time staff and a crew of 15 volunteers who must undergo training to help care for the animals.
While it was open to visitors, the pandemic put an end to that and it hasn’t resumed. Barros says Bear Creek decided instead to put all of its resources into looking after its permanent residents.
“We try to get resources for the wild rescue centres because we know they operate on a shoestring,” adds Donald. “Likewise if we can get vets to help out… that gets their costs down to help more animals.
