Wild About Wildlife

When you think of climate change, you probably picture heatwaves. But for birds, the real danger might actually be the rain. In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Western University biology professor Dr. Alice Boyle to uncover a surprising threat to global biodiversity. Discover: Why the timing of rainfall matters  Which Canadian birds are most at risk Simple, h...

Whether you are a master gardener or someone who is currently apologizing to a struggling rosebush, this episode will help you decide what to plant in your yard to attract birds, bees, butterflies and other vital pollinators that help keep our ecosystems healthy.  Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team Golden Alexanders Carolinian Canada "In the Zone" To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Reh...

From snake invasions to flying squirrels that know how to party to chewing up earthworms to feed injured birds, we've seen it all at Salthaven.  Today, we are opening up our archives to share some of the most unforgettable wildlife patient stories from our clinics in Ontario and Saskatchewan. You will be shocked. You will laugh. You might even tear up.  To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife...

Imagine a bird that spends almost its entire life in flight, eating, drinking, sleeping and even mating, before it disappears into our dark chimneys at night. Today we are uncovering the secrets of an urban icon, the chimney swift, one of our most understudied bird species.  Why do they fly into chimneys? Why are they threatened? Can fake chimneys provide the answer? And how can you help? All ques...

"You can't tell me that you love your dog and hate coyotes. They're exactly the same, only one is wild." Where do you stand on the issue of coyotes? Are they curious, family-oriented canines or menaces to people, pets and farm animals? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife you'll hear about bounties put out on coyotes, why open hunting seasons are not the way to control t...

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, we explore the profound connection between humans and our closest living relatives, the great apes. We delve into the remarkable capacity of gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos for curiosity, play, and problem-solving—traits that reveal we aren’t as different as we might think. Our guest is Dr. Rick Quinn, a veterinary ophthalmologist from southwe...

Welcome to this special "rewind" of Wild About Wildlife! This month, we look back at some of our most memorable conversations from previous episodes. We're diving into the archives to bring you highlights that showcase groundbreaking technology, dedicated conservation efforts, and inspiring individuals who share our passion for the animal kingdom. In this episode: Beavers & Byte...

This month we talk with Thames Talbot Land Trust, a non-profit in southwestern Ontario doing amazing work to protect, conserve, and restore nature – not just for today, but for generations to come. They’re thinking long-term, preparing habitats now for wildlife that will relocate here long after we’re gone. Curious about how land conservation really works, and why it matters more than ever? Take a...

Meet Root, a wood turtle who happens to be missing a foot. But that hasn’t slowed him down in the slightest! Thanks to some creativity, a few Lego pieces and a dog harness, Root is motoring around. Tune in as Heather McKinnon-Ramshaw and Tessa Biesterfeld from the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Nova Scotia describe the trials and tribulations of designing the perfect mobility aid for Root,...

Summer temps will soon be soaring, and our feathered friends will be feeling the heat! Should we help them? We answer that question and explore how you can attract different birds to your yard while keeping so-called bully birds from taking over your feeders!  Host Kathy Mueller is joined by birding expert Jeff Lee from Wild Birds Unlimited who also answers some questions submitted by his customer...

In Canada, up to 42 million birds die every year - not because of cats or being hit by a car - but because they've flown into windows.  In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller is joined by Dr. Brendon Samuels to explore what researchers are doing to help reduce these deaths – and how you can help from your own backyard.   Resources FLAP Canada  Bird Friendly London Western...

It's April and that means Earth Day! That time of year when we're all encouraged to be a little bit more mindful about our behaviour and how it affects Mother Earth. In this episode, host Kathy Mueller explores the steps taken by Salthaven Wildlife over the years to reduce its carbon footprint. Turns out there are a lot of things being done in the clinic that you can adapt in your own ho...

Turtles have been around since the age of the dinosaurs and are actually distant relatives. They've done a pretty good job of adapting over the years, except when it comes to adapting to humans. Their slow reproductive rates, combined with human impact, means many turtle species are at risk. Species-at-risk biologist Scott Gillingwater joins host Kathy Mueller in this episode of Wild About Wi...

What's in your refrigerator? Here at Salthaven Wildlife, if you open our fridge in the winter, you are likely to find a bat or two! Believe it or not, it actually helps these ravenous insect eaters survive our coldest months.  Curious about how it works? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two of Salthaven's bat experts, Natalia Slipak, Clinic Manager fo...

While the rest of us are trying to work off the extra pounds we put on over the holidays, birds are needing to add weight if they hope to survive the cold Canadian winter. In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Jeff Lee, a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and manager at Wild Birds Unlimited in London to shares his insights and expertise on how we can support our feath...

Let’s face it, we’ve all had to sit through a boring presentation or two, but at Salthaven Wildlife , we promise you – our presentations are anything but dull! In this episode, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Salthaven founder Brian Salt to chat about the exciting and engaging wildlife presentations Salthaven offers. Whether in-person or virtual, these talks are anything but ordinary – and there...

For over 7 million years, beavers have been nature’s architects, building dams and shaping wetlands across Canada - long before artificial intelligence was even a concept!  In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, we explore how researchers are harnessing AI to identify these engineering marvels and better understand the vital role beavers – and their dams – play in mitigating disasters like wildfi...

Salthaven West is the only wildlife rehab centre serving southern Saskatchewan and this year, this small but ever growing clinic is celebrating a decade of making a difference in the lives of wildlife. Listen in as we dive into their plans for a major expansion, explore the diverse wildlife they care for (more than 1,400 patients annually!) and discuss the vital role of education in wildlife conse...

Breathing under water. Being able to teleport yourself with a snap of your finger. Talking to animals? What’s the one superpower you wish you had? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller discovers what super power Amber Marshall, former Salthaven volunteer and star of the CBC series Heartland, wishes she had. But first, the conversation picks up where we left off in part 2 – and...

Did you know that like human actors, horses also have body doubles? In this episode, host Kathy Mueller continues her conversation with Amber Marshall, star of the CBC series Heartland. If you like horses, you'll want to tune in. Amber talks about the vibe horses bring to the set, whether she identifies with her character Amy Fleming, and the insecurity of working in the television industry....

Our special guest is London native Amber Marshall, former Salthaven volunteer and star of the long-running hit CBC series Heartland. Our conversation lasted almost two hours so we've broken it up in a few episodes! In Part 1, Amber reminisces about her time at Salthaven as a teenager, why she decided not to become a veterinarian, and how she was able to merge her two passions - animals and ac...

In Part 2 of Help! I've Found an Animal, host Kathy Mueller continues her conversation with two expert wildlife rehabbers from Salthaven's team about when to intervene and help an animal, and when to let nature take its course. The discussion focuses on turtles, baby deer, geese, raptors, opossums and raccoons.  For information on birds, bunnies, and squirrels, tune in to Part 1 of Help!...

Spring has sprung and that means lots of wildlife babies. But what should you do if you stumble upon a tiny creature in need? How can you tell if it actually needs a helping hand? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two experts from Salthaven's team. They share tips on how to manage birds, squirrels and bunnies and, if you have to handle them, how to do it sa...

What comes to mind when you hear the word “bats”?  Do you automatically think about Hollywood horror movies or are you reminded of the important role these flying mammals play in our eco-system? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two volunteer members of Salthaven Wildlife’s Bat Squad about the bad rap bats get and why we should all be installing bat boxes and en...

If you love animals and are willing to get dirty (there's a lot of poop!), volunteering at Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre might be the perfect fit for you! From working hands-on with wildlife to helping out with maintenance, in the garden or as one of our official photographers, there are many ways to support Salthaven and give back to the community at the same time. I...