MBiz

32 mbiz | may 2015 e a s t e r n t he birds and the bees were the hot topic at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel in April, when the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre (WHRC) held a baby shower to help finance some new digs for its rescued critters, young and old. More than 200 guests heard about the peregrine falcon release program and learned about the importance of honey bees while throwing their support behind the cause. "There was a lot of excitement in the air with the pending construction of the new wildlife hospital and education centre," says Roger Perron, project manager for the centre since 2014. Wildlife Haven brought all its wildlife ambassadors, animals who can not be released back to the wild, to the event. "Attendees were excited to see them and have photos taken with them," says Perron, who is also secretary/treasurer of the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce. He's responsible for the capital building campaign to raise $2.5 million to build the new facility on an 18-acre parcel of land near Ile des Chênes. For the last seven years, the WHRC has been housed in an old barn, which sounds charming, but isn't really practical and can't accommodate public visits for educational purposes, which is a key part of WHRC's mandate. The new centre will be high-tech, with enclosures for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife and a special flyway for birds to exercise and practice flying prior to release. Ponds and waterways will also be incorporated. The registered non-profit has cared for more than 35,000 animals since 1984. In 2014 alone, the WHRC worked with about 1,500 born to be Wild neW rehab centre is taking Flight By Wendy King

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