Region’s only wildlife rescue closed to new patients

Lisha Van Nieuwenhove

Durham Region’s only wildlife rehabilitation hospital recently announced that it has decided to close its doors to the hospital for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Soper Creek Wildlife, in Bowmanville, is licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and Canadian Wildlife Services to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick, injured, abandoned, and orphaned wildlife. Each year it reportedly admits thousands of patients into its wildlife hospital.

A post on Facebook on May 27 relayed the news, saying that it was coming “after deep reflection and many heartfelt discussions.

Photo by Gary Bendig

“Wildlife rehabilitation in Ontario receives no government funding, despite being a free and vital service — and one that supports municipal animal services and government agencies,” the post continues. “At Soper Creek Wildlife, we rely entirely on self-generated funding through our educational programs, specific project grants, and the generous support of our community.

“Unfortunately, the economic landscape we once depended on has changed drastically. Grant opportunities are shrinking or disappearing, and donations have declined as families face financial pressures of their own. At the same time, we've continued to see a sharp rise in wildlife admissions — an increase of more than 65 per cent since the pandemic — while 90 per cent of our programs were forced to close during that time.”

The rescue hospital says that the strain on both its staff and its and resources has been “overwhelming.”

Soper Creek will shift its focus to the care of its permanent animal residents and to growing its educational programs. It says that it hopes to reopen its doors in 2026 “stronger and more resilient.”

All educational programs at Soper Creek are still in operation. “Every school program, onsite tour, birthday party, camp session, glamping stay, or event you support helps us get one step closer to reopening the wildlife hospital, says the Facebook post.

For those experiencing a wildlife emergency, contact Soper Creek at 905-442-1648, and someone there will provide details on where and when to take the animal. Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw is an alternative; however, it is not open to the public. For information or directions on how to deal with a wildlife emergency, contect them at 705-437-4654.

For those looking to make a donation directly to either organization, visit sopercreekwildlife.com or shadesofhope.ca