Children had a hoot recently learning a bit about owls.
Otis the Owl, Medicine River Wildlife Centre mascot, was in Sundre earlier this fall at the community centre’s parking lot as part of a roving book launch supporting the ongoing effort to raise funds for the registered charity’s goal to complete modernization renovations on its facility located about 20 minutes northeast of Sundre near the hamlet of Raven.
The tour, which had earlier included a stop in Rocky Mountain House, coincided with the release of Chatting With Charlie, the fourth in a children’s book series called Through the Eyes of Otis the Owl, said Todd Kelly, Medicine River Wildlife Centre facility manager.
The idea behind roving out to a number of communities was to reach more people who might not be able to attend fixed events in places such as Red Deer, he said, as Otis hooted softly in the background to the delight of a group of kids who gathered to see the owl.
“We want to be involved with the local communities that have been so good to us over the years,” he said.
All of the proceeds from sales of the book, which is available while the supply of 2,500 copies lasts, go to supporting the centre’s operations, he said.
Author Erin Young also attended to chat about the book and sign copies for anyone who was interested. And since Otis is the narrator for the series of children’s stories, the owl also offered autographs, he said with a smile.
“We have a stamp with his foot on it.”
The Medicine River Wildlife Centre, which in essence is a wildlife hospital and education facility, has been operating for 34 years, he said.
“We take in injured and orphaned wildlife — about 2,200-plus a year — with the goal of rehab and release,” he said, adding educational programs are also a part of the organization’s initiatives.
Although the hospital is open, the public facility remains after a couple of years closed while the structure is modernized, he said.
The existing facilities, built about 25 years ago on a “shoestring budget,” had become outdated, he said. The plan became designing a more durable 100-year building with pre-cast concrete walls and recycled rubber roofing, he said.
“We don’t want to keep doing renovations — I’m tired of duct-taping things together,” he said with a laugh.
Unfortunately, the 2015 recession hit just as the work was getting off the ground, but the situation since seems to be somewhat improving, he said.
“We’re hoping to have our new hospital with a small interpretive centre up and running by spring, as long as the fundraising goes well,” he said, adding the site also has a new playground that was opened this year and is available 24-7, as well as a nature trail that people are welcome to come out and enjoy.
Carol Kelly, executive director, said last week the new hospital is a $1-million building, and she added the charity is about $170,000 shy of reaching its fundraising goal.
“It is creeping ever so slowly forward,” she said.
“But it is going forward.”
Courtesy of AltaLink’s sponsorship of the book series, the full proceeds from sales go right back to the centre’s programs, she said, adding supplies are still available.
“The books make a great Christmas present,” she said.
Visit www.medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca as well as the group’s social media page for more information.
