2018 FALL Newsletter

Quarterly Publication of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society
Volume 13, Issue 2
Fall 2018
In this Issue...
2 The Promise of
CAZA
3 From the Board
4 Stop Squirreling
Around - That’s
Winter I Smell!
6 Season’s Change
and So Do We!
7 Experiential
Learning
8 Be WildWise
Fall
Edition

The Promise of CAZA
In mid-September I headed east to attend Canada’s
Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) annual
conference. I was there representing the Yukon
Wildlife Preserve - one of Canada’s 29 accredited
institutions.
There are roughly another 170 un-accredited
institutions in Canada. Accreditation is a rigorous
process. The criteria are constantly evolving to reflect
what we know about providing the best care and
welfare possible.
Zoos and aquariums are incredibly diverse places.
Conversation ranged from transparency, activism,
animal care and welfare, research and more. The topics
intersect in surprising ways.
Activists believe that if the public knew what really
happens in zoos (i.e. full transparency), they will come
to see the flaws just as they do. Meanwhile, zoos and
aquariums believe that if the public knew what really
happens in zoos (i.e. full transparency), they would see
the merit and value just as we do.
Much of that conversation and controversy centres
on animal care and welfare. As it should. CAZA’s
members have made a commitment to put it at the
forefront of their organizations. But the issues aren’t
always as well understood.
Even when a zoo can demonstrate their animals eat
better, experience less stress, are healthier, etc., many
still feel that life in the wild is better. The sobering
reality is that “life in the wild” might not always be a
possibility.
In a growing number of cases the world’s most
endangered species survive only within zoological
organizations. The
IUCN Red List
now lists species as
“Extinct in the Wild”.
This acknowledges
the important
role zoological
organizations play in species conservation. (http://bit.
ly/exinwild)
Some animals still have a shot at “life in the wild”
but only because of intensive captive breeding and
release programs run by zoos. Work on blandings
turtles and loggerhead shrikes in Ontario are great
examples that we heard a lot about at this conference.
Experience and research in husbandry and animal
care made those stories possible. Zoo staff know
providing and enhancing welfare is ultimately one of
the most important things we can do - not just for that
individual, but for the species.
In the Yukon, we seem blissfully far away from all this.
But the times, they are a changing.
Sincerely,
Jake Paleczny
Acting Executive Director
Cover photos: Juvenile female lynx in fall colour!
Writing: Lindsay Caskenette, Sidney Campbell, Jake Paleczny,
Julie Kerr, Joe Collier, Emily Hoefs, Briana Van Den Bussche.
Photos and illustrations: Lindsay Caskenette, Jake Paleczny, Joe
Collier, Emily Hoefs, Briana Van Den Bussche.
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Printed on 100% Recycled Volume Paper 13, Issue 2

From the Board
Like many Yukoners, my visits
to the Preserve are often a family
affair. But when you are a Hoefs,
that takes on a whole new meaning.
My father in law, a young biologist
new to the Yukon in the late 60s,
lived on the property with the
original owners of the “Game
Farm” Danny and Uli Nowlan. We
love to hear stories from that time,
like the one about the mink who
wanted to share his sleeping bag in
the winter, and took to swimming
in the toilet to cool
off.
We have photos of
my husband as a
toddler playing in the elk enclosure.
He eventually had his first job at
the preserve, followed by both of
his brothers, the youngest of whom
still feeds and cares for the animals
during his summers home
from university. One of the
brothers’ responsibilities
in the ‘90s was to watch
over the family pet beaver
“Chippy ClearCut”. Chippy
established the house
bathtub as his habitat,
complete with several feet
of willow branches, until he
was ready to make his way
back into the wild. Times
have certainly changed
between then and what
we experience today at
the successful and well-established
attraction that welcomes thousands
of guests from all over the world
every month.
I’m proud to be a recent addition
to the YWP Board of Directors
so I can help maintain our family
connection to this beloved place
for the next generation of Hoefs,
although we take photos of our son
from the other side of the fence at
the elk enclosure.
Emily Hoefs joined the Yukon Wildlife
Preserve Operating Society’s,
volunteer board of directors at our
2018 AGM held in July. She brings
with her a connection to the past.
Originally from Nova Scotia she is
an active member of our Yukon
community.
Top Right: Ammon Hoefs stomps around with elk at the Preserve when it was the Nowlan’s property in the
early 1980’s. Bottom Right: Ammon’s son, Hendrik viewing elk on the Preseve today! Bottom Left: Hanne and
Manfred Hoefs with grandson, Hendrik.
Fall 2018
3

Stop Squirreling Around-
That’s Winter I Smell!
Do you feel winter coming? I do.
My garden, like summer itself, has
faded and while I was sad to see it
end, autumn, like it does every year,
eases me gently from one season in
to the next.
As the fireweed blazes crimson and
the first snows dust the mountains,
suddenly, I am eager to prepare
for the coming changes. Tasks I’ve
put off all summer long for “later”
become the priority. I am eager to
split and stack firewood, which is
my signal that “later” is here. In
addition, I am tidying summer
fun away, organizing the shed,
pulling out the mittens, parkas
and blankets. With gladness in
my heart, autumn helps me accept
and adjust to the rhythms of the
seasonal cycle.
Have you noticed that the animals
are doing the same thing we
are? They are preparing for as
comfortable and survivable a winter
as they can. As I split firewood, I
do so to the accompaniment of a
Red Squirrel throwing spruce cones
down from the very top heights
of the tree – I have learned not to
stand directly under any tree with
cones for the gathering, THOCK!
Here at the Preserve, the aspen
leaves dance on the wind, their
colours reminding me of the palette
of the Northern Lights, which have
returned along with our night
skies. Visiting us, you are less
likely than I am to get thocked
by a spruce cone hurled by a
harvesting Red Squirrel; we
are instead seeing the Arctic
Ground Squirrels prepare for
hibernation.
The Arctic Ground Squirrel
is a busy little animal – have
you seen them on one of your
visits here? They choose
to make their home on the
Preserve, enjoying a plentiful
food supply and a lessened risk of
predation. The summer is spent
putting on a layer of fat by eating
as much as they can of the seeds,
leaves, flowers, and berries of a
variety of low-growing plants.
Their home is a burrow and in the
summer the Arctic Ground Squirrel
makes a nest in the den, which is
dug approximately one metre below
ground.
The
materials
used to
make
that
nest will
depend
on what
is available
– lichens,
dried grasses,
or animal hair.
On the Preserve,
this availability
changes based on
which habitat the nest is
in. The squirrels may gather
the hair of elk, caribou, bison or the
quiviut of musk ox, to name a few
options. Have you stopped in our
Reception Cabin and touched the
samples we have of these different
hairs? The next time you are on
the Preserve, have a feel and think
about how soft they each are, or are
not; how would you want your nest
to be lined?
Now that the squirrel is well
fed, fattened up and has a nice
warm home, how does it enter
hibernation? Have you ever stood
waiting for the bus or scraped the
snow off your windshield in the
winter? When the wind is icy, do
you scrunch your entire body up?
Do you try to become smaller to
conserve your energy resources?
The ground squirrel version of this
4
Left: A young ground squirrel, keeping a keen eye out, munches away on grasses
and seeds. Right: Julie Kerr has been an intergral part of the team as a contract
position through the summer. We are all very excited to welcome her in a
permanant position in Visitor Services!
Volume 13, Issue 2

is to roll itself into a
ball by crouching,
tucking its head
down between
its legs, and
tossing its
tail over
its head.
Unlike
you or
I, the
ground
squirrel
is a true
hibernator,
and it
then allows
its body
temperature
to fall to near
zero degrees
Celsius. During the
long northern winter, the squirrel
will periodically warm up to near
its normal temperature, then recool
itself within 24 hours. Arctic
Ground Squirrels can even survive
when their nest drops below
freezing. When my cabin drops
below freezing, I am more doubtful
for my personal survival.
Winter for the ground squirrel
involves hibernation, which can be
as long as eight to ten months every
year. The adults lead hibernation;
first the females head to their dens
as early as late July and by the
middle of September all the adult
females are likely to be hibernating.
They are followed by juvenile
females and lastly by the males –
who stay above ground the longest
but should be hibernating by late
October.
As I say goodbye to the Arctic
Ground Squirrels for the season, I
am happy that I can still have coffee
with my winter compatriot, the Red
Squirrel, since the tree squirrels do
not hibernate, instead remaining
active year round and eating from
the piles of spruce cones they
cached….in my firewood pile as a
matter of fact…..
I am in no rush to end the beautiful
sights, sounds and smells of this
season, but winter is coming and
I am ready. Come take a peek at
the dynamic changes our animals
are undergoing here at the Wildlife
Preserve and experience the
majesty of autumn – see you soon.
Julie is a Registered Veterinary Technologist who has
worked in clinic, in Whitehorse, for the last six years
honing her skills and knowledge on domestic animals.
Her passion is for the wild and it’s with great pleasure
that she is now working to support wild animals from
within the Preserve. She was raised in Saskatchewan
and has a wandering soul but if she has learned
anything in the last six years, it is that the Yukon is the
home of her heart.
Julie is happiest when sharing stories of wild encounters
with the curious of all ages. She has an immense respect
for creatures of all kind, including but not limited to -
wasps, porcupines, foxes and ladybug larva. Stay tuned
- that list changes frequently.
Julie brings her background in tourism and customer
service as the Visitor Services Coordinator, to aid the
smooth running of front of house operations – this helps
everyone focus on the reason we’re all there – the wild
animals under our care.
When to Visit
Fall Hours
OPEN DAILY to October 8 th !
9:30am to 6:00pm - holiday’s included
Guided Bus Tours at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, & 4pm.
October 9 th to December
Open Friday - Sunday 10:30am - 4:00pm
Guided Bus Tours at 12noon, & 2pm.
Walk, run, bike anytime while open.
Enjoy a safe, relaxed environment for the whole
family!
Curious about the latest news? Visit
facebook.com/yukonwildlife or call 456-7300.
We’re Social - join us on Instragram!
Tag us #YukonWildlife
Fall 2018
5

Seasons Change and So Do We!
As autumn arrives and the colors in
the Chilkat Valley begin to change,
the staff at the American Bald Eagle
Foundation are reflecting on the
many changes made here in the
last three years as well as looking
forward to change on the horizon.
In 2015, ABEF made a major
paradigm shift in the way we
train the ambassadors on our
team. Under the direction of
former Raptor Program Manager
Leia Minch, staff embraced a
training approach based on the
most positive, least intrusive
methods available. Using positive
reinforcement and a solid
foundation of behavior science
rather than coercion, the birds
were re-trained to participate in
programs, and now do so willingly
and comfortably. The birds are
empowered to be in control of
their training sessions and the staff
is focused on listening to their
body language
and reacting
accordingly.
As training
changed, so
did standards
of care and
wellness. It was
decided that our
enclosures did
not reflect our
new approach to
empowerment.
Through a pre-development grant
from the Foraker group, ABEF
was able to design new enclosures
which would provide the birds with
more light, enriching views, and
better control of their environment
through access to the elements
and a variety of perches. We’ve
been fundraising for this project
nearly two years, and finally began
to make changes in May with the
demolition of an old, outdated
building. In the coming
weeks, we will begin
phase two- construction
of four brand new aviaries.
Change is something we embrace
here at ABEF. Our understanding
of the natural world is always
changing, and keeping up to date
with best practices, current science,
and educational standards makes
this an ever-changing and exciting
field. We are looking forward to
sharing our new knowledge and
our new facility
with guests as
we continue to
change and grow.
Sidney Campbell is the Education and
Outreach Coordinator at the American Bald
Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska. She
works to bring empowering wildlife education
to Haines and surrounding communities
and worldly visitors by managing outreach, publications, and
educational programming. She works with the Raptor Program
Manager to train the avian ambassadors at the facility to take
part in education and outreach. Visit the American Bald Eagle
Foundation in Haines, Alaska. Open Monday to Friday’s 10am
- 2pm. Closed Saturday and Sundays. Explore further online at
https://baldeagles.org/
6
Top Right: Staff look on as Phase I begins with demolition of an old aviary at the
Foundation. Bottom Left: A new weathering yard allows ambassadors like Ole,
the perigrine falcon, to come outside and enjoy the sunshine in front of guests.
Ole and his handler, Sidney have created a very close bond.
Volume 13, Issue 2

Experiential Learning
Even though we’re falling in
love with the autumn colors
here at the Preserve, we want
to take a moment to reflect on
a successful season of summer
Nature Camps! We had a lot of
fun with our
camps which included the
always popular Animal
Care and Wilderness Skills
themes, and some new themes
such as Eco-cycles where
we examined nature’s cycles
happening around us , like the
metaphorasis of rocks, bugs
Fall 2018
and other critters of the Yukon.
We had great opportunities
to see and interact with
animals at the preserve
through activities like animal
feedings, pond dipping and
experiential games. Some of
our camper’s favorite memories
included feeding the arctic
foxes, building bug hotels for
beneficial insects and seeing
“behind the scenes” at the
Preserve. Thanks to great
organizations in the
community such as the
Beringia Centre, The Yukon
Geological Survey, All Paws
Vet Clinic, Mae Bachur
Animal Shelter, Raven
Recycling and Yukon SAR,
campers learnt a lot and
went on some awesome
field trips. Nature camps
and summer may be
over, but youth programs
continue at YWP! We are
busy preparing for our Fall
school programs and are
looking forward to grade 2,
7 and 9 classes coming for
some experiential learning
focused on surviving winter,
Yukon caribou and sexual
reproduction, respectively.
We want to thank everyone
for a great summer of youth
programs and we can’t wait
to discover and explore
again next summer with our
Nature Camps!
Top Right: Campers help cut aspen browse to feed to the animals - an
activity as a part of Animal Care camp! Bottom Left: Campers inspect the
diverse findings from their dip netting adventure!
Full-time Staff
Yukon
Wildlife
Preserve
Jake Paleczny, Acting Executive
Director
Randy Hallock, Director of Outdoor
Operations
Dr. Maria Hallock, Wildlife
Veterinarian and Curator
Lindsay Caskenette, Manager of
Visitor Services
Briana Van Den Bussche, Manager
of Education and Programming
Julie Kerr, Visitor Services
Coordinator
Board of Directors
Alexandra Tait President
Shawna Warshawski, 1 st Vice-
President
Michael Kokiw, 2 nd Vice-President
Kristine Hildebrand, Treasurer
Chris Evans
Tedd Tucker
Harmony Hunter
Emily Hoefs
Meghan Potter
Sherri Young, Non-voting Member -
Environment Yukon
Darrell March, Non-voting Member -
Environment Yukon
7

Above: Visitors take a moment to sit and enjoy the fall view!
Be WildWise!
Fall is here once again and with it
come those wonderful fall routines,
such as berry picking, gathering
firewood, preparing for moose
hunting, or even just picking up a
book that you’ve neglected during
the hectic summer months.
Bears have their own routines
during the fall too. In many cases,
this is the busiest time of the year
for bears, who must enter a state
of ‘hyperphagia,’ which roughly
translates to ‘eating lots’. The dropping
temperatures and reduced sunlight
of the short fall season spur
bears to gain as many calories as
they can before winter so they can
survive the long, dark cold and successfully
reproduce. Did you know
that a bear’s embryo will only
implant and grow if the mother
bear has taken in enough calories
to ensure she will be able to nurse
them through
8
the winter?
Berries (of all kinds) represent
some of the most significant nutrition
for bears, and as trail users and
berry farmers can attest to, plenty
of berries are out in full force now,
including non-native species such
as Saskatoons, chokecherries and
pin cherries on ornamental trees.
Ornamental trees and planted
berry patches can be a tempting
food source for bears and can lead
to trouble. If berries around your
property are ripe, now is the time
to harvest before a bear picks them
first. An abundance of culinary
possibilities awaits. Have you
considered making blueberry wine?
Or perhaps you are in need of some
Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.
And saskatoon berry crumble is a
welcome addition to any potluck or
dinner table!
Lastly, berries around your neighborhood,
even if they are not in
your yard, may attract foraging
bears. Please
encourage your
neighbors to
harvest theirs
and consider organizing a neighborhood
harvest event. Berry picking
with your friends and family is
a great way to spend a fall day!
Joe Collier is a member of Board of
Directors for WildWise Yukon and
a recent graduate of Yukon College.
He enjoys gardening, hiking, camping,
biking and honing his amateur
naturalist skills. He is also an
absolute
music geek
and plays
guitar/
banjo.
Volume 13, Issue 2