Preserve Post - Fall 2013

Quarterly Publication of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society
Volume 8, Issue 2
Fall 2013
In this Issue...
s Fall Edition
2 From the Executive
Director
3 Wildlife
Rehabilitation
4 Wildlife Update
5 Education and
Programming
6 Getting the Job
Done

from the Executive Director...
Selling the Preserve
in Europe
Following an incredible spring & summer season of
visits from school groups, nature camps, travel trade
groups, international interns, world visitors and local
residents, the Yukon Widllife Preserve was invited
to be part of the Premier’s Tourism Trade Mission to
Europe!
Visitors explore Dawson in the Yukon Bay of Hannover’s Adventure Zoo.
While in Germany we visited the Hannover Adventure
Zoo and their celebration of “Canadian Day”. This
special event took place in “Yukon Bay”, a dedicated
$50 million permanent exhibit highlighting all things
Yukon – including Yukon Brewing and the re-creation
of Dawson City store fronts. You really have to
experience it to believe it!
A huge congratulations to Air North -
Yukon’s Airline on signing an inter-airline
agreement with Condor Airlines - well done!
On behalf of all of us at the Preserve, I thank
you for your ongoing support and look
forward to seeing you on our ski trails this
winter!
Best regards,
In early September, I had the privilege to join fifteen
fellow tourism operators and associations on a brief
but jam-packed mission to Hannover, Germany and
London, England. We met directly with about fifty
tour and travel wholesalers who are either presently
selling Yukon or wish to sell Yukon. The fact that we
can actually “guarantee” an opportunity for quality
wildlife viewing definitely caught their attention! They
have all promised to highly recommend the Preserve
as a “must do” activity when visiting the Yukon!
Cover Photos
Top: Visitors enjoy fall colours and a bus tour from Justine.
Middle: A recently rehabilitated and released eaglet spreads its
wings for the first time in the wild.
Bottom: A quiet but interested audience looks on as runners
participate in the annual Run Wild fundraiser on August 19th.
2
Volume 8, Issue 1

Wildlife Rehabilitation...
Back to the Wild
A July storm toppled a tree on
Fish Lake Road, bringing a
Bald Eagle nest and its three
occupants crashing to the ground.
Conservation Officers brought the
two injured survivors to the Yukon
Wildlife Preserve.
Vetrinarians Dr. Michelle Oakley
and Dr. Maria Hallock performed
surgery to pin the badly fractured
leg of one eagle. Not yet able to fly,
these eaglets needed a safe place to
heal and find their wings.
At first they
hopped around
the Preserve’s
large aviary.
Soon they were
spreading their
wings, feeling
the air currents
- sometimes
hovering for a
moment. Then in
early September
they started
making haphazard
attempts to take
to the air. By
mid-September
they had their wings and were
making controlled, majestic
flights. They were ready to go.
Macintyre Marsh would make
a perfect release site
- boasting abundant
food, and more
importantly, other
eagles that would
become role-models
for the rapidly
developing duo.
Radiographs (x-rays) show the eaglet’s fractured tibia tarsus
before surgery (left) and after it healed and the pin was
removed (right).
Preserve staff did a last check-up
and gave the eaglets identifying
micro-chips. Rachel Gerardin, our
intern, and Dr. Oakley lofted the
eagles and they were away - back to
the wild!
Dr. Oakley conducts surgery on the eaglet.
Late in the day on
September 19th,
The eaglet makes its first flight into the wild!
Spring 2013
3

Growing up Fast
In late August a kid was born into the lower
mountain goat herd. A protective mother has
kept her away from most visitors, but occassionaly
we are treated to a look at this very
cute, fluffy newcomer!
Meanwhile, the four lynx kittens born in
June, are getting bigger by the day. They have
only a couple more weeks at the
Preserve before they go to a new
home in Quebec. Our lynx are
valued for their unique genetics
that help to keep captive populations
healthy.
Wildlife Update...
Top: At only a week
old, the kid remains
safely behind its
mother.
Middle: Lynx kitten
at feeding time.
Bottom: For mountain
goats, a cliff is
actually a safe place
for a three week old
kid!
Adopt an Animal
4
Volume 8, Issue 1

Comfort in Nature
Education and Programming...
What does it mean when
the street lights come
on? Odds are, if you were
born pre-80s, you know
it means its time to go
home. Ask a kid today
and odds are they won’t
know because they are
spending their time in
front of screens instead of
outside.
The idea driving our
Nature Camps is about
getting kids back outside
and feeling comfortable
in the natural world. “We
have a natural but really
safe outdoor setting at
the Preserve,” explains
Jake Paleczny, Director
of Programming and
Education. “It allows
kids to explore, get
dirty, make forts and get
comfortable with their
natural surroundings.”
A regular part of
Wilderness Skills
camp are morning “sit
spots” where campers
return to their spot
each morning to just
listen and watch.
A curious deer timidly investigates the focused campers.
“Our instructors came
out of those weeks
with these amazing
stories where the kid’s
heightened awareness
yielded experiences they
would never have had
otherwise,” says Jake.
“We’re already thinking
about how we can do it
again next year.”
When to Visit
Fall Hours:
Thurs. - Wed.: 10:30am to 6:00pm
Guided Bus Tours at: 12noon, 2pm & 4pm
Fieldhouse Nearly Ready!
Only a few weeks remain until our new
Fieldhouse is open for business. The
first official use will the be our AGM
scheduled for Saturday October 19th,
2013 from 1pm to 4pm. See you there!
Campers show off their survival shelter.
Winter Hours (starting Oct. 7th)
Fri. - Sun.: 9:30am to 4:00pm
Guided Bus Tours at 12noon & 2pm
Call 456-7300 to reserve a seat in advance.
Walk or bring your bike anytime!
Spring 2013
5

Getting the job done...
A Wild Experience
As fall arrived two of our
interns, Rachel Gerardin
and Briony Edwards, were
wrapping up their four
month internships at the
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
to return back home to
their studies in France
and the United Kingdom.
They were involved with
all areas of the Preserve.
“We had a Dall sheep
lamb who was born and
we had to bottle feed her
at night too,” explains
Rachel. “So during two
months, we shared the
night feeding (midnight,
3 and 6 am).”
They also cared for eagles,
hawks, falcons, owls,
and red squirrels, among
countless other animals
at the Preserve. “And I
witnessed a necropsy on
a muskox,” says Briony.
“Something I never
expected!”
While Briony conducted
a visitor survey, Rachel
joined programming
staff to deliver Nature
Rachel Gerardin and Briony
Edwards, two of our international
interns!
Camps. “That permitted
me to really improve my
English,” she says.
When asked about what
was really different
about the Yukon, Briony
explains: “Well, powerouts
are not uncommon,
there are no roundabouts
anywhere, but there
are mountains in every
direction. It is a place
that takes your breath
away.”
New Animal at the Preserve!
Its a beast! The new
Caterpillar loader is
the latest equipement
acquisittion by the
Preserve.
This machine is an
important tool for
Operations Director,
Randy Hallock. It
replaces a 20 year old
John Deere tractor - the
work horse that delivered
our 1200 lb hay bales to
animals and plows snow.
It will make it faster and
easier to get the job done!
Randy unloads the new
“cat!”
6
Volume 8, Issue 1

Misha’s drawings of insects and birds are true to life scientific illustrations.
Interpreting our
Natural World
Our newest interpreter, Misha
Donohoe came to us with a
passion for communicating
science and observing the
world through art. The Preserve
isn’t the only place she applies
her creativity. In September
she taught workshops on
scientific illustration at Arts
Underground. Her detailed
drawings represent and
illuminate the beauty of the
natural world.
Fall Interpretive Staff
Justine Benjamin
Hayley Wood
Misha Donohoe
Karen Mann
Spring 2013
Staff Take the Day Off
On August 20 th , we closed
down to the Preserve to treat
the staff and interns to a day
of rafting on the Tatshenshini
River. “Its the least we can do”
says Executive Director, Greg
Meredith, “I really wanted to
thank a very dedicated, hardworking
staff.”
Staff and interns enjoyed a rowdy
trip down the river!
Full-time Staff
Yukon
Wildlife
Preserve
Greg Meredith, Executive Director
Randy Hallock, Operations Director
Dr. Maria Hallock, Curator
Jake Paleczny, Director of Programming
& Education
Brittny Anderson, Coordinator of Programming
& Education
Daniel Jolkowski, Animal Care & Operations
Assistant
Board of Directors
Dave Mossop, President
Kimberly Porter, Past President & Secretary
Richard Farnell, Chair of Animal Care
Committee
Scott Widmeyer, Chair of Capital Development
& Planning Committee
Laura Carlson, Chair of Education Committee
and Fund-Raising Committee
W.J. (Bill) Klassen, Director at Large
Rayanne Klassen, Director at Large
Katrina Wohlfarth, Director at Large
Ed van Randen, Co-Ex Officio - Environment
Yukon
Darrell March, Co-Ex Officio - Environment
Yukon
7

Dear member,
On Saturday October 19th, 2013 from 1pm to 4pm, we
are holding our AGM and you are invited! We will be
discussing new initiatives for next year and outling last
year’s accomplishments.
We are also looking for nominations for new board
members. If you have ever wanted to be more closely
involved with the Preserve, this is your chance.
current Board of Directors and staff! We hope to see
you! If you have any questions please contact Jake at
456-7400 or jake@yukonwildlife.ca
Sincerely,
Yukon Wildlife Preserve Management Team
Of course, this is also a great opportunity to meet the
A male mule deer sheds velvet from his antlers.
Our arctic foxes chow down on some cranberries.
Credits
Writing: Jake Paleczny and Greg Meredith.
Photos and 8 illustrations: Jake Paleczny, Greg Meredith, the
Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Misha Donahoe, Justine Benjamin and
Tatshenshini Expediting.
Credits
Writing: Jake Paleczny and Greg Meredith.
Photos and illustrations: Jake Paleczny, Greg Meredith,
Printed on 100% Recycled Paper
the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Misha Donahoe,
Volume 8,
Justine
Issue 1
Benjamin and Tatshenshini Expediting.