\nLynx love\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a tragic loss in the wild, a new guest has arrived at the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Caring for all creatures\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zoe Nakata, executive director at Wildlife Haven, says their facility treats a variety of critters in need. In 2025 alone, Wildlife Haven has cared for over 177 different species.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBaby otters, baby pelicans, eagles and owls. All sorts of animals,\u201d Nakata explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She notes Wildlife Haven has two distinct goals in mind when caring for an injured creature.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority No. 1 is to get animals healthy and strong, but right alongside that (is) priority No. 2, keep them wild.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zoe Nakata – executive director at Wildlife Haven\u00a0
\nLynx love\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a heartbreaking ordeal in the Swan River conservation area, a 20-week-old lynx has begun her recovery at Wildlife Haven.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following a dog attack that killed her mother, local residents worked with conservation officers and Gardewine Transport to bring the orphaned lynx to safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to stabilize her, and now, start the journey to treat her back to health.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The lynx would have remained with her mother until the spring and still requires intensive early-stage care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was a little bit roughed up. She had missed several feedings… But she\u2019s getting stronger every day, which we are all thrilled about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nakata says the young lynx has started exploring her enclosure, slowly acclimating to her new, temporary habitat. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put a lot of natural elements into her enclosure \u2014 branches and stumps and all these things that she can smell and explore,\u201d Nakata says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Photo provided by Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre<\/p>\n
She notes her team tries to be as hands-off as possible during her treatments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got two staff members that are in charge of her care. That\u2019s one of our strategies.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead of entering her enclosure, Nakata says the team uses GoPros and trail cams to monitor her behaviour. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c(We\u2019re) giving her a lot of opportunities to hide and develop all those natural behaviours without the humans,\u201d she explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve started her on a diet designed to mirror what she would eat in the wild, including soft meats and raw chicken. The team plans to transition her to live prey training \u2014 a crucial step for animals preparing for release. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make sure that once she\u2019s out there, she knows how to hunt.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Call of the wild\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the goal is to release the lynx back to her natural environment, Nakata says that outcome is not guaranteed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf in fact we feel that she\u2019s not going to thrive in that (natural) environment, we work with accredited zoos. Assiniboine Conservancy is our main partner. We\u2019ll work with them or one of their partners throughout Canada to find the absolute best home for her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Supporting the species \u00a0<\/p>\n
Curious about what goes on behind the scenes? Wildlife Haven is hosting an open house on Sept. 20 and 21\u2014 an opportunity to step inside the facility and see the work in action.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to see where she gets her treatment, where we prepare her food. We\u2019re going to have a video feed into her enclosure,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really great opportunity.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
However, caring for a lynx comes with a cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt costs a lot. We need skilled teams, we need the best food available, all the enrichment. It costs about $50 per day for her care,\u201d Nakata explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wildlife Haven is accepting donations to help support her recovery and that of other injured wildlife.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an online auction coming up Sept. 16, so folks can check that out too,\u201d Nakata says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All donations go directly toward helping the lynx and other wild animals in need. \u00a0<\/p>\n