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
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.