Record Numbers of Injured and Displaced Wildlife
Manitoba’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facility, Wildlife Haven, treated 30% more animals in 2025 than the previous year, at times caring for up to 300 creatures at once. Staff suspect that the province’s recent wildfire season played a role, displacing many young animals and birds.
“We were seeing a lot of baby animals and songbirds, plus some unusual patients like nighthawks,” said Amy Wilkie, the centre’s education program manager. “These were likely animals being displaced by habitat loss.” Interestingly, most arrivals were not suffering from burns or smoke inhalation.
Currently, in the winter months, the centre is caring for 35 animals alongside 17 ambassador animals. Typically, patient numbers drop in the fall as staff release animals before they migrate or hibernate.
Health Threats and Avian Flu
Wildlife Haven also faced challenges from disease, particularly avian influenza, which had a severe impact in 2025. Animals infected with the virus must be euthanized to prevent it spreading to others in care. Wilkie stressed the uncertainty around the virus, including how it spreads and which species are at risk.
The Manitoba Department of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures oversees the province’s three wildlife rehabilitation centres. While provincial annual data is not yet available, officials noted that 2025 also saw outbreaks of West Nile virus and mange affecting wildlife.
Unusual Patients and Rehabilitation Successes
Among the 2,551 animals admitted last year were some rare and notable cases. A snowy owl found near Winnipeg suffered a severe wing fracture after being hit by a car. Staff hope to release it back into the wild once it recovers.
Another standout case was Lumi, an orphaned lynx whose mother was killed by a dog. Due to an eye injury, Lumi cannot return to the wild and will remain in the centre’s care.
Wildlife Haven is Manitoba’s only full-service wildlife veterinary hospital, capable of performing surgeries and taking in animals from across the province, including as far north as Churchill. Wilkie believes part of the surge in patients is due to growing public awareness: “People are just figuring out who Wildlife Haven is and now know there’s a place to bring injured animals.”
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