A world-class wildlife recovery centre is located in a small farming community near Parksville on Vancouver Island. Visiting the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, support wildlife conservation efforts, and learn about the importance of environmental stewardship.
Top Five Reasons to Visit the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
- Experience Wildlife Rehabilitation: Witness the compassionate care for ill, injured, and orphaned wildlife.
- Learn about Local Wildlife: Gain insights into Vancouver Island's diverse wildlife and their habitats through educational programs and up-close encounters.
- Fun for all Ages: With activities catering to all ages, it's a place where families can bond over their love for animals while learning about the importance of conservation.
- View Birds of Prey: Observe eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and ravens up close and learn about their rehabilitation journeys.
- Explore Exhibits: Wander through museums, exhibits, and animal enclosures spread across the eight-acre centre.
What to Expect
Since 1986, this eight-acre rehabilitation facility has cared for ill, injured, or orphaned cougars, bears, wolves, and birds. In addition to caring for these creatures, the centre takes great pride in providing the public with extensive education programs.
If you are looking for a zoo-like experience, with animals caged at every turn, this is not the place for you. The majority of the wildlife that arrives at the centre is eventually released back into the wild once it has recovered from its ailment. Only those that are non-releasable due to having suffered too much damage are kept at the facility and used to help educate the public.
As I told my children, we should be thankful there are only as many animals on display as there are. This just means the centre's great care for injured wildlife is truly working!
Exploring the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
You will start your self-guided tour inside the Museum of Nature. Here, you will find static displays of wildlife in their natural habitats. With the push of a button, visitors can hear what each animal sounds like in the wild, while information tablets provide a more detailed description.
From there, you will head to the largest eagle flight cage of its kind in Canada. Through peek-a-boo windows, you will view recovering eagles soaring through the cage or resting on the provided perches. While in the same building, make sure to stop and take a look through the viewing window of the on-site treatment centre. You can also view the X-rays displayed of past injured animals.
If there are any orphaned bear cubs in the facility, you can view the ‘cub cams' in this same building during your visit. These cameras allow you to view live footage of the cubs via TV screens.
Next, you will head to the Learning Centre, where you will find educational talks, hands-on displays, and wildlife facts. During the summer, they often have up-close introductions to a few birds. Staff often wander around the facility with these birds to allow visitors a close-up view.
Make sure to take the time to sit and watch the video on the large screen in the Learning Centre. It gives a wonderful glimpse of what the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is truly about. If you enjoy the video, it's available in the gift shop.
Who Lives There?
As mentioned, many of the animals that enter the facility are rehabilitated back into the wild. However, there are a few permanent residents. Among the non-releasable wildlife on display, you will find the following:
- owls
- falcons
- vultures
- doves
- eagles
- hawks
- ravens
- turtles
- ducks
- black bear
The centre has recreated the most natural and noninvasive habitat for all its residents. I was thoroughly impressed with the size of each enclosure and the use of foliage to give the wildlife some much-needed privacy. (Even if that privacy hinders us photographers from getting a great shot!). It's easy to see that staff and volunteers truly have the well-being of the animals at heart.
Be Prepared to Relax
The facility's beautiful surroundings left me awestruck. It's common to see hummingbirds buzzing to and from the stunning display of native plants in the Wildlife Gardens. Native birds and ducks flit and waddle among the many unique rock sculptures found in the Magical Field of Stones. Turtles bask on logs in the pond, soaking up the warm sun while enjoying the gentle spray the nearby fountain provides.
While meandering the grounds my senses were able to delight in a full feast. I was smiling and completely at ease in the tranquil setting…even with my two children in tow. 😉
Visiting the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre Summary
From heartwarming encounters to meaningful conservation initiatives, a visit to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre promises an enriching and inspiring experience. It's a chance to connect with nature, support a worthy cause, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
If you are looking for a unique educational experience in a beautiful setting while in the Parksville area, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is the place to go!
Location
Located near Parksville, the Wildlife Recovery Centre's official address is 1240 Leffler Road, Errington.
Public viewing hours are from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily.
For up to date information, including admission prices, please visit the website of NIWRA.
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Great post! Was just there myself with my family yesterday – we go every year 🙂
Thanks so much! Yes, it is such a great place for families.