Trail’s Big Game Trophy Association (BGTA) and Bird Emergency and Kare Society (BEAKS) in Blueberry have one thing in common, they want to preserve wildlife, but for BEAKS the load is becoming unbearable.
The BGTA recently donated $500 to the BEAKS program, a non-profit organization that relies on donations to survive.
“They need this to stay afloat,” says BGTA president Josh Conci whose association routinely supports habitat and wildlife conservation.
However, even this generous donation may not be enough to keep the facility running. With an unprecedented number of birds, BEAKS has been forced to close on weekends due to lack of funds.
“They need about $70-80,000 a year,” said director Tom Yuris. “She (director Carol Pettigrew) repairs them if they have broken wings or something, if not she’ll put them down.”
The BEAKS program has helped rehabilitate over 4,000 birds since 1998, and successfully released over 70 per cent of them, compared to 20-30 per cent provincial success rate.
The facility takes in all species from large predators like eagles, owls, and hawks, to berry-eating grosbeaks and cedar waxwings.
The monthly cost of operation is over $4,000 in winter and $7,000 in summer, but this continues to rise with the inflated costs of the most common bird food. Monetary donations are needed first and foremost, but residents can contribute by donating fruit such as organic apples, berries, pears, and cherries.
For more information or to make a donation go to beaksbirds.com.