Permanent Residents:

Through no fault of their own, over the years a number of animals have become “permanent house guests” here at The Sanctuary. They are called the “unreleasables” or by MNR regulations the 40 -2-©’s, but to us here at the Sanctuary they are our beloved friends who while totally dependent on us for their very lives give back so much more. Rewarding? You bet!
The reasons for their arriving and staying at The Sanctuary are varied but in each case may be traced to the result of human involvement:

• as a result of injury that would render the animal unable to
  survive in the wild

• are hybrids or mixed unnatural breeds

• are exotic species.

• have been unwanted illegal wildlife pets.

Below are the stories of our many permanent residents at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. To view a gallery of larger images for these animals, click on this link to open another browser window and gallery presentation.

 

Banshee

One of the first animals you will meet at the sanctuary will be Banshee – our Eurasian Lynx. She is not a fan of the hot summer afternoons like us humans here in the beautiful Muskoka Lakes. She prefers the cool mornings and the sunsets but her true joy is the snow. Banshee came to us in 2002. After being used in movies, she was no longer needed and was ordered to be put down. A camera man on the set offered to take her in and he raised her for 2 years. But wild animals mature and Banshee started to become aggressive and unpredictable; showing her natural tendencies. He could not care for her any longer. Luckily he knew about Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and asked if we could give her a home. Banshee has a large enclosure and loves to climb and hunt in the tall grasses. She likes to chase butterflies and birds that like her wildflowers but sometimes she likes to stalk the young children that visit her here at her sanctuary through the safety of her enclosure. If you do get a chance to see our beautiful Eurasian Lynx she may be sunning herself on her hammock high in her enclosure or lounging under the shady trees. Spring and fall visiting days are the best chance to meet Banshee. Banshee is one of our Adopt-An-Animals.

 

 

Elly – Our Great Horned Owl

Elly arrived at the sanctuary in the spring of 2004. She had been found on the ground by some hikers. She was most likely pushed out of the nest by bigger or older siblings. Unfortunately raptors (birds of prey) need a strict feeding schedule for them to be encouraged to hunt for their food. Elly never learned that skill and has become imprinted and refuses to hunt for herself. She would starve to death if released into the wild. Elly is in a large cone shaped enclosure but during the day you will find her in the very top where it is cool and shady. At night she likes to talk and talk to the night world, the owl world. Elly is one of our Adopt-An-Animals.

 

 

Gandalf – Our Great Gray Owl

The majestic Great Gray is the largest owl in North America and is very uncommon to see in the wild. The owl species are considered the most lethal of all raptors due to their silent flight. They are always very intent when hunting their prey. But, sometimes, the the hunter doesn’t pay attention to vehicles coming towards them. Gandalf met that fate. Luckily the people that struck Gandalf stopped to see if he had survived and he was rushed into Dr. Silvers Veterinarian Clinic in New Liskard. The wing was severally damaged and needed to be amputated. Dr. Silver and his wife were long time supporters of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and called to see if all went well with the procedure could we give him a home. Gandalf has lived with us since 2005, providing many visitors with look into the wise and beautiful eyes of the Great Gray Owl.

 

 

Lucky- Our Ungulate Staff

Lucky was found as a very young orphan when her mother had not come back for her. A couple in Northern Ontario took Lucky in but her new mum was dying of cancer. It seemed that by helping this timid and fragile little creature though, this love made all the cancer disappear. Her new mum loved this little fawn, spotted and wobbly legs, big brown eyes and smooth soft coat.


Neighbours would come day and night to help feed little baby lucky and her love of people grew and grew. For a wild white-tailed deer that is not a good thing. For the life of Lucky’s mum it was a good thing. They found much joy together as she watched as Lucky jumped and frolicked in their yard. As summer grew towards fall Lucky grew too.


Eventually the cancer returned and Lucky seemed to sense a growing change in her mum. And as the ambulance sat in the driveway and strangers were rolling her mum away, Lucky pushed past them and protectively laid her head beside her mum as they said their last goodbye.


It was a long winter for Lucky. She had run of the house and yard but even as other deer visited she was not accepted and Lucky would always return home. On one tragic day Lucky was struck by a car. All roads were marked “Watch Out for Lucky” but a broken leg, if not set properly, can cause serious problems for the delicate legs of deer.

 

A local vet set the leg but for Lucky’s "dad" the growing concern for her well-being troubled him. He knew that having Lucky was illegal and there are few places that could give her a home. As he talked to friends and neighbours about what was best for Lucky, he soon learned about Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and called immediately. Lucky had found a home!


All of the orphaned fawns that come to the Sanctuary are now, once weaned, introduced to the newest staff member, Lucky. She teaches them what we can’t, what to and not to graze on, when to be alert and how fun it is to be a deer. She does us a great service – just like she did for her "mum". Lucky is one of our Adopt - An - Animals

 

 

Mama Bear

Mama Bear has lived at Aspen Valley since 1994. Permission to cross the border from Michigan was granted to assure that Mama was given a good home. A hunter, who had been using her to train dogs how to attack bears, had her front claws and eyeteeth removed so she was unable to defend herself. The dogs were thrown on top of Mama frequently causing all her fur to be torn off leaving punctures and gashes from the attacks. Luckily the authorities were called in and she was removed from such cruel treatment. Back then there were very few laws protecting animals from cruelty and the hunter was given a small fine. Mama was scarred for life. Her coat has grown back, beautiful in the summer sun but her claws and important teeth will never return. Without them she cannot survive in the wild, unable to dig a den, unable to find certain foods, unable to climb trees in case of danger. She has become a permanent resident at the sanctuary since then. Mama has a 5-acre enclosure boasting her own swimming pool, warm grassy meadows and cool shady forests. Most of her food sources are in the enclosure but on visiting day you will find her curled up with a keeper eating a large bowl of peanuts and dandelion leaves – her 2 favourite things in the world. Her native name is Giisus. It means the Sun. Mama Bear is one of our Adopt-An-Animal.

 

 

Subira

Subira is a beautiful, enormous cat meant to live freely with her pride family on the wide plains of Africa. Instead, as though she were a piece of expendable merchandise, she was sold at an auction Sale for $50.00 to a 17 year old girl who kept her in a garage. Subira was only 2 months old and the girl expected her parents to allow her to keep Subira as a pet. Hundreds of exotic animals are bred and sold to whomever wants one. There are no laws to protect these creatures of misfortune. Yet!


Late one night our phone rang: long distance from British Columbia. “We have a 3-4 month lion cub. We can’t keep her or find anyone that wants her – not a zoo, no one! If you don’t want her she will have to be put to sleep. Can you help us!”


Audrey found herself saying, “Of course we will take her.” Not worrying about the logistics of space, money or time.


In February of 1999, Subira arrived at the Airport, small and scared. On the ride home she slept in the warmth of Tony’s Jacket feeling safe and loved for the first time.


Now Subira is big and majestic. Her 5 acre enclosure on the rough hillside over looks the Sanctuary so she can monitor the entire valley. She loves the warm meadow during the summer as she basks her white belly in the sun. When the winter appears her warm heated den offers her a shelter from our Muskoka snows but she has developed the ability to grow a winter coat – Wildlife is amazing in adapting to new surroundings!


Subira is happy! She has a good life at the Sanctuary and a very important job – she helps us to teach others about the exotic pet trade, and why wild animals should never be pets. Subira should have been born free on the wide African plains but we are very happy we can give her a home. Subira is one of our Adopt-An-Animal.

 

 

Two Arctic Wolves

In January 2005, we received a call from a Road Side Zoo up in Cochrane, Ontario. They were going into bankruptcy and needed to find homes for animals they were housing. Two Arctic Wolves – sisters – needed to be transported out or they would be euthanized. We made the arrangements and made the long trip to Cochrane. It was good that they were closing down. The enclosures for the animals were very small and unnatural. Wolves need space and the feeling of freedom. They had neither. Ben caught the wolves and placed them in safe and comfortable crates for the long trip back to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. They would love their new 5 acre enclosure waiting for them.


The trip was smooth and the wolves arrived unaffected by the long drive. Their enclosure was ready and as each sister stepped out of their crate the instant site of trees and space made them bolt into the woods. To see them frolic together in play was a breathtaking site. Since their arrival they have developed a distance with humans and they prefer to remain hidden and secluded. They have that choice which they never had before. At least we can offer that to them here at Aspen Valley.

 

 

Luna


Luna came to Aspen Valley in 2000. She had been transported to us by the Ministry of Natural Resources after being captured from an abandoned house. We don't know her true story or the reason why she is so submissive – we can only assume. We can see her happiness when her keeper visits as a smile appears on her face and her greeting is ecstatic for her friend. But with strangers Luna will not be seen. She has that choice at the sanctuary where she will always be respected and treated with love and kindness. Luna is one of our Adopt-An-Animal.

 

 

Mkom

Mkom means “Ice Storm”.

 

Mkom was rescued in Toronto after being abandoned in a small crate left in an alleyway. He is our biggest wolf and how he fit is this small crate is unbelievable.


Wolves don’t make good pets no matter how often people try. First of all it is illegal and once their natural aggressions and maturity develop it makes them hard to predict and handle. Mkom’s owner tried having him fixed hoping it would calm him down. That doesn’t work with wild animals. So Mkom was abandoned and left to die. Luckily he was found so he can call Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary his home.


Mkom is shy, cautious about humans, especially men. It is rare to see him on visiting days. He has that freedom. But if you are lucky enough to glimpse this handsome creature, feel special knowing it is an uncommon experience.

 

 

Sadie

Sadie is the loveliest of Black Bears. In 2003 Sadie was transported to Aspen Valley from Manitoba for rehabilitation. Being orphaned she needed a facility to give her that second chance. Manitoba was not able to offer her a place to learn to be a bear. Special permission was given for Sadie to travel to Ontario and to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. During her first hibernation a law was passed that wildlife could no long be transported between the borders of the Provinces. Sadie was not allowed to return to Manitoba – the place of her birth. Being a bear from Manitoba she was not allow to be released in Ontario. Sadie now calls Aspen Valley her home. She is always the first to hibernate and always the first to greet the New Year before all the other bears. Her enclosure has a high sunny rock hill where you will find her sunning her bear belly.