Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Vacay in Victoria Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
    • Amateur Video Creator of the Year
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Vacay in Victoria Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
    • Amateur Video Creator of the Year
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Discover the wildlife jewel of the central Island

Discover the wildlife jewel of the central Island

August 26, 2019 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

If you love Vancouver Island wildlife, a treasure trove awaits discovery in the heart of Vancouver Island!

“We have a jewel here in the wilderness of Errington, with lots of treasures to discover,” says Sylvia Campbell, co-founder with husband Robin of the North Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

“NIWRA is unique, mostly because we invite the public to visit, where a lot of other wildlife rehabilitation centres don’t have the ability to do that,” Campbell explains. “It’s exciting for us to share the work our team is doing, and it’s exciting for the public to see the animals and learn how they can help local wildlife.”

Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily in Errington, a few minutes outside Parksville, the centre takes in ill, injured or orphaned wildlife – from the smallest hummingbird to the largest mammals – rehabilitating those that can be released to the wild and providing a home to those that can’t. Non-releasable animals become ambassadors for the needs of wildlife and the centre, which welcomes visitors for self-guided tours and special events.

So what treasures will you discover? Here’s a look at a few of the many highlights…

  1. Closed-circuit ‘Bear Cam’: The centre is currently caring for three orphaned bear cubs, who, because they’ll be released into the wild, are kept away from people. You CAN, however, watch them via the closed-circuit video feed from their enclosure – meet Muffin, Midnight and Shadow!
  2. Raptor encounters: Several non-releasable raptors have been glove-trained, allowing the public to see some of these majestic birds up close and in action. Others birds who thrive in the centre’s open-air enclosure include turkey vultures, eagles, owls, even a steller’s jay. Dougal and Freddy, two engaging, blind crows, shine bright, as does Casey, a young bald eagle who broke his wing falling from his nest.
  3. Fields of Stones & Faeries: A destination for the whole family, discover featured like the “Field of Stones,” an interactive play area for children. Nearby, you’ll also find the Wildlife Garden, colourful beds filled with treats for the pollinators, like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, and the new Faerie Garden, filled with magical treasures to discover.
  4. Recovery and Discovery: While wildlife rehabilitation is the centre’s primary goal, education is also vital, and not only to the many locals who come through the doors, but also the visitors. “We’ve become an popular tourist destination. With eight acres of beautifully manicured land, people are blown away when they visit,” Campbell says. Look for new signage highlighting some of those elements.
  5. Up Close & Personal with Knut & Rae: Two non-releasable black bears have become popular ambassadors for the centre: At 1:30 p.m. daily, stop by the bear enclosure for feeding time, and a chance to see residents Knut and Rae. “It’s an incredible opportunity to see these black bears up close,” Campbell says.

Throughout the year, donations and volunteers are essential to making the centre’s work possible. Click here to learn about how you can contribute – remember, “They depend on us; we depend on you,” Campbell says.

Learn more at niwra.org, call 250-248-8534 and visit at 1240 Leffler Rd., Errington.

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Things to Do in Vancouver Island, Wildlife

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

Red Deer’s Ross Street Patio is celebrating its 10th anniversary with some special suds. The…

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brewRead More

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

Chilliwack Flightfest will take to the skies once again for this summer. The free airshow…

Flightfest set to soar once again over ChilliwackRead More

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

A new hiking challenge launched in the Kootenay Boundary is motivating residents as well as…

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challengeRead More

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

This treetop destination is a great place to hang out for a getaway to remember.…

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hostsRead More

Adäka Cultural Festival returning to Whitehorse this summer

The Adäka Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th year in person this year with the theme…

Adäka Cultural Festival returning to Whitehorse this summerRead More

Singletrack or cross-country, your 2-wheel Cariboo adventure starts here

Boasting a spectacular mix of rides, from steep mountain trails to epic cross-country routes, few…

Singletrack or cross-country, your 2-wheel Cariboo adventure starts hereRead More

World invited back to Parksville beach as sandcastles poised to make a return

Parksville Beach Festival Society has unveiled a list of seven teams and 15 individual sand…

World invited back to Parksville beach as sandcastles poised to make a returnRead More

UPDATE: Endangered American badger raising kits in Williams Lake

Brandi Magnus and her husband Jim McIntyre are grateful to be off from work, but…

UPDATE: Endangered American badger raising kits in Williams LakeRead More

Canadians hold nose at gas prices as they hit the road, skies once again

Even as gas prices hit record highs, Canadians are fanning out across the country for…

Canadians hold nose at gas prices as they hit the road, skies once againRead More

Previous Post: « Road Tripping BC’s Roads Less Travelled
Next Post: Parks to visit in Creston Valley »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

May 19, 2022

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

May 17, 2022

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

May 17, 2022

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

May 17, 2022

Recent Posts

Ross Street Patio celebrates 10th anniversary with special brew

May 19, 2022

Flightfest set to soar once again over Chilliwack

May 17, 2022

‘Hike Our Story’ in epic Kootenay Boundary challenge

May 17, 2022

Vancouver Island treetop retreat tops Airbnb list of Canada’s best new hosts

May 17, 2022

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2022 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved