What Happens to Orphaned Wildlife?
Alberta Environment Protection determines what should happen in the management of orphaned wildlife. Once the parent(s) have been killed, usually by human means, the orphans are also killed. They may be left to die of starvation or from injuries. However, this determination is not in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.
Violations of the Law
As the Province of Alberta assumes the ownership of wildlife as per the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (1930), they are in direct violation of the Animal Protection Act for banning the rehabilitation of wildlife species. 1(1) In this Animal Protection Act, (a) “animal” does not include a human being;
Thus Wildlife are classified as animals under the Animal Protection Act, and the Province of Alberta assume ownership of all wildlife under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.
Under the Animal Protection Act: Prohibition against causing distress
2(1) No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress.
(1.1) No person shall cause an animal to be in distress.
(2) This section does not apply if the distress results from an activity carried on in accordance with the regulations or in accordance with reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management, husbandry, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control or slaughter.
The Alberta Government is also acting contrary to the Alberta Wildlife Act (1997)
Section 77, 78 and 80 of the Alberta Wildlife Act and allow approved wildlife rehabilitation facilities, at each facility’s discretion, to choose to be able to accept ALL of Alberta’s wildlife “rehabilitating injured, diseased or orphaned wildlife or any other wildlife that is not fully capable of surviving in the wild.”
Currently the list of prohibited species for rehabilitation include:
Grizzly Bear, Wolf, Coyote, Lynx, Bobcat, Cougar, Fox, Raccoon, Deer Mouse, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and Elk.
Alberta Environment Protection determines what should happen in the management of orphaned wildlife. Once the parent(s) have been killed, usually by human means, the orphans are also killed. They may be left to die of starvation or from injuries. However, this determination is not in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.
Violations of the Law
As the Province of Alberta assumes the ownership of wildlife as per the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (1930), they are in direct violation of the Animal Protection Act for banning the rehabilitation of wildlife species. 1(1) In this Animal Protection Act, (a) “animal” does not include a human being;
Thus Wildlife are classified as animals under the Animal Protection Act, and the Province of Alberta assume ownership of all wildlife under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.
Under the Animal Protection Act: Prohibition against causing distress
2(1) No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress.
(1.1) No person shall cause an animal to be in distress.
(2) This section does not apply if the distress results from an activity carried on in accordance with the regulations or in accordance with reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management, husbandry, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control or slaughter.
The Alberta Government is also acting contrary to the Alberta Wildlife Act (1997)
Section 77, 78 and 80 of the Alberta Wildlife Act and allow approved wildlife rehabilitation facilities, at each facility’s discretion, to choose to be able to accept ALL of Alberta’s wildlife “rehabilitating injured, diseased or orphaned wildlife or any other wildlife that is not fully capable of surviving in the wild.”
Currently the list of prohibited species for rehabilitation include:
Grizzly Bear, Wolf, Coyote, Lynx, Bobcat, Cougar, Fox, Raccoon, Deer Mouse, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and Elk.