The Yukon Wildlife Preserve will receive $1.929 million from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency for a new animal care facility.
Home to nearly 150 northern mammals living in diverse natural environments, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers education, conservation, research and recreational opportunities - and an unforgettable experience for students, Yukoners and visitors to the Territory.
In collaboration with Environment Yukon, the preserve provides rescue and rehabilitation services for wildlife in Yukon. The new animal care facility will provide much improved examination, surgery, recovery and quarantine space for resident and rescue mammals and birds. The building is designed to support research and expanded educational programming.
“Since opening in 2004, we have received increasing numbers of injured and orphaned birds and mammals for rehabilitation,” said Krista Prochazka, Executive Director of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. “We are proud of our quality animal care and are tremendously grateful for this funding, and for the support of Environment Yukon in facilitating this agreement.”
“Our Society operates under the three main principles of conservation, education and research,” added Kim Porter, President of the not-for-profit Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society. “Funding for a new animal care facility will provide us with improved capacity to collaborate with students and researchers to further our mandate.”
The preserve supports a variety of research projects, including research related to arctic and boreal ecology, as well as animal health. With the completion of this new facility in Spring 2011, greatly improved infrastructure will allow the preserve to build on its existing partnerships to expand its unique rehabilitation, research and educational capabilities.
