Thirty juvenile merlins have arrived at the B.C. Wildlife Park in the past three days, all experiencing heat exhaustion.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/B.C. Wildlife Park
June 30, 2021 - 6:30 PM
The B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops has taken in about 50 animals in the last three days due to the heat.
Thirty of those animals were juvenile merlins, a small species of falcon, according to animal care manager Tracy Reynolds.
While there have not been any serious injuries among the animals, the birds have been exposed to extremely high heat and need to be fed until they can hunt on their own.
Reynolds said it's likely that during the ongoing heat wave, the birds' parents have been unable to find enough food to feed their young, or simply been tired from heat exhaustion and unable to hunt.
"It's too hot for them to exert energy, so they're just going to perch in trees. They'll hunt in either the early morning or at night," Reynolds said.
The birds have been taken to the wildlife park from all around the region, including from Savona, Eagle Bay and Mara Lake. They continue to receive calls regarding animals in the region feeling the effects of the record-setting heat wave.
They've also brought in four juvenile bald eagles and one deer fawn.
Reynolds said that it isn't uncommon to see birds perched and appearing to be panting with their wings open. It can appear that a bird is in distress, however, she said it's simply how a bird regulates its body temperature.
She also advises that if anyone sees birds around their home that may be suffering from heat exhaustion, they can leave bowls of water outside for the birds.
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