TOASTY – A NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL   In November 2007, a Bedford gentleman was preparing a fire in his wood stove when he heard something in the chimney. He looked and could not see anything, so he finished lighting the fire. Shortly after, he looked back at the roaring stove and was horrified at what he saw.  There was a silhouette of a little animal, paws outspread on the inside of the stove glass door.  He quickly opened the door, and a little fireball rolled out.  He immediately put out the flames on the unidentified burning animal. Unfortunately, it would be another day before he was put in touch with the Hope for Wildlife Society. At that time, a Society volunteer transported the burned animal to the Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital to be evaluated.   The animal was identified as a male northern flying squirrel. Veterinarian Barry MacEachern assessed the squirrel’s injuries: All four paws, his ears, and his tail were badly burned.  His whiskers were scorched and his eyes were seared shut. The little patient would require antibiotic and pain medication, as well as twice daily washing and application of an ointment on all his burned areas.  Despite this medical treatment, his future was still uncertain.   Under the care of the Hope for Wildlife Society volunteer, the squirrel, given the name ‘Toasty’, began his slow healing process. From the beginning, Toasty’s will to live was strong and he tolerated the regular handling involved in his daily care. After approximately a month, new skin began to appear on Toasty’s paws, and his fur began to grow again.  Unfortunately, he lost most of his outer ears, as well as the end of his tail, and several toes. Toasty also underwent surgery to remove exposed bone in one rear foot.   Toasty still doesn’t have full use of his hind legs, so his climbing and gliding abilities are limited, preventing his release back to the wild. He has grown accustomed to regular human interaction through the care required for his rehabilitation. Toasty is involved in educating visitors first hand about the important roll that these little ‘flyers of the night’ play in our forest ecosystem.

	SWEET PEA - A THREE LEGGED FOX   In spring of 2002, a young female fox was regularly observed at the Martinique Beach on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Local residents, believing her to be orphaned, began feeding the skinny young pup. Later that summer a call was placed to the Hope for Wildlife Society that the fox was injured following an attack by a dog. A live trap succeeded in catching the fox and she was taken to the Hope for Wildlife Society’s rehabilitation center.   Veterinarians at the Dartmouth Veterinary Hospital treated her for spinal cord injuries and she returned to the wildlife center to rehabilitate.  She was small and malnourished, and further veterinary tests showed that she had rickets, caused by an inadequate amount of vitamin D.  Her rickets led her to break her hind leg the following spring.  Unfortunately, it was determined that the best course of action to take was to amputate her leg, leaving her with only 3 legs.  Little Sweet Pea returned to the center to recover from the surgery.   Sweet Pea, with only 3 legs, is not eligible for release back into the wild. Her friendly demeanour around people makes her a great candidate for involvement in the Society’s education mission.  She is also a foster mom for injured and orphaned fox pups that are admitted into the center. Sweet Pea’s gentle temperament is endearing to all that visit the Hope for Wildlife Society center.

	SEA SAW – A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL   Sea Saw is a Northern Saw-whet owl, the smallest owl species found in Nova Scotia. Sea Saw arrived at the Hope for Wildlife Society rehabilitation center in 2006. He was found injured in the Annapolis Valley with a badly injured left wing.  It is suspected that he was involved in a collision (possibly with a motor vehicle) on his left side, as he appears to be blind on his left eye as well. A local veterinary hospital performed surgery on the small owl, amputating his irreparable wing.   Sea Saw’s injuries left him with flying and visual limitations that prevent his release back into the wild. He has been successfully growing accustomed to volunteers around the rehabilitation center and has begun to participate in educational programs at the Hope for Wildlife Society. He gives visitors the opportunity to meet a beautiful bird up-close, and is involved in teaching visitors about the important role these small owls play in our wildlife environment.

BN#885062448RR0001