Pair of orphaned minks released into wild by Vancouver Island animal centre
Two orphaned minks that were found in separate areas of Vancouver Island have been released back into the wild after being cared for at the BC SPCA's WildARC facility in Metchosin.
The minks were recovered several months ago, one by the SPCA and one by another animal rescue centre on the island, and were cared for together as they would've still been with family members in the wild at their young age, according to the SPCA.
"After a cautious introduction, the two became fast friends," said the BC SPCA in a release Thursday.
The pair shared an enclosure that was designed to feel like their natural environment, and received specialized care.
"Their enclosure had hiding places, tunnels, branches, open areas, and their favourite amenity, a pool, where they were free to practice natural behaviours including swimming," said the SPCA.
The animals were released earlier this week in an area "near to where they were found."
The SPCA says the pair will have to build a burrow to survive the winter, or find one that another animal has made, such as a rabbit.
Minks tend to live in a home range of between one to six kilometres near a body of water, according to the SPCA. Caretakers say the enclosure set up for the pair will have helped them prepare for living in the wild once again.
"Watching the mink grow, swim, explore, and play while in care has been wonderful, but nothing is as rewarding as watching them return to the wild," said Andrea Wallace, manager of wild animal welfare at the BC SPCA.
On Thursday, the SPCA renewed its call to shut down mink fur farms in B.C. The fur farms were put in the spotlight recently after several minks tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, during the summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.