Calendar sale supports wildlife rehab in northern Ont.

The Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre located in the Greater Sudbury community of Val Caron has been helping sick, injured and orphaned wildlife for the past six years.

The centre currently has a unique bird in need of help – a pelican that came in from Thunder Bay, Ont.

Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre founder Gloria Morissette with a pelican from Thunder Bay, Ont. the centre is treating until it is strong enough to head to a sanctuary in the U.S. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)“A lot of people don’t realize but pelicans are native to Ontario,” said the wildlife centre’s founder, Gloria Morissette.

“They go up to the Thunder Bay Area to breed. So this one that we got was born up in the Thunder Bay area this spring and she got injured somewhere along the line and she ended up looking for food from people who lived along the lakeshore.”

Caretakers said as the pelican gains strength it is taking a lot of paperwork to get her to a sanctuary.

“We have been arranging with Pelican Harbour in Miami and they are willing to take her so we are working with the paperwork to get her down there,” said Morissette.

“She will be flying direct flight from probably Detroit direct to Miami.”

The centre is also currently home to a bald eagle, in another enclosure of course.

A bald eagle from Wahnapitae First Nation being cared for by Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre in Val Caron. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)This eagle recently came in from the Wahnapitae First Nation and was enjoying a steak lunch on Sunday while CTV News was at the centre.

Caring for birds, reptiles and other unique animals is costly – over $80,000 a year.

From buying specialty foods like mealworms, mice and zoo-grade pellets to meet their unique needs.

Staff at the centre said there are also vet bills and other operational costs.

“We do not receive any regular government funding at all,” said Morissette.

“The vast majority of our funding comes from the public or our donors – which thank you very much we couldn’t survive without everyone here.”

She said the centre also has to fundraise for itself.

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As part of those fundraising efforts, the centre is currently selling calendars through Greater Sudbury. They are available at both the Leprechaun and Northern Exotics on the Kingsway in Sudbury, Sudbury Regional Cat Hospital on Notre Dame Avenue, Pet Valu and Peavey Mart in the Southridge Mall, Pet Food Warehouse on both LaSalle Boulevard and Regent Street, Jim's Automotive on Algonquin Road, Tarini Brothers Meat Market on Lorne Street, Backyard Birder on Long Lake Road, Da Capo Coffee & Lounge on Cedar Street, Telling Tails in Chelmsford, Café Oui on Errington Street, Pet Valu in Val Caron and at the centre itself on Vern Drive. Pet Valu on LaSalle Boulevard in Sudbury is now sold out.

For more information on the calendars and the centre’s activities, visit their social media page.