Roosters likely abandoned at Greater Victoria park rescued by community members
A Saanich, B.C., woman is in search of a sanctuary for 10 roosters that she helped rescue from a South Island park.
Karin Nelson responded to a call for help on Friday, after she saw an online post about a flock of chickens dumped at Francis King Park in the Highlands community.
"Somebody had posted in the Nextdoor app that they had seen chickens at large in the park, so myself and two other rescuers drove out to see if we could find them," Nelson told CTV News.
The group was unable to locate the birds, but Nelson returned to the park later that evening after another sighting was reported.
"[I] was there in the dark with my flashlight looking through the underbrush rattling bowls of grain and bags of grain to see if I could attract them," she said.
"Sure enough, the bag of cereal elicited vocalization and let me know where they were, and then it was just a matter of picking them up and putting them into carries," she said.
One of the recovered roosters is shown. (Karin Nelson)
Nelson was able to rescue seven of the chickens, while three others were recovered by someone else.
It was later discovered the abandoned birds are actually roosters, which Nelson says were likely dumped because they can't lay eggs.
"I mean this is better I guess than the alternative of killing them outright, but dumping them – I mean, they're domestic animals," said Nelson. "They don’t have much chance of surviving in the wild."
One of the recovered roosters is shown. (Karin Nelson)
Nelson is now in the process of finding the animals a new home.
"We'd like to find place where they’re going to be safe and be able to live out their lives and be loved and cared for," she said.
All 10 roosters have been turned over to CRD Animal Control, which has agreed to hang onto them until Nelson can find a home for the birds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.