This rare white raven had a recent setback and is on a new type of antibiotic in an effort to help strengthen its weak immune system. (North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre)
rare bird

Extremely rare white raven fighting for his life at Errington animal refuge

Jun 14, 2021 | 5:00 PM

ERRINGTON — Animal care providers are closely watching a rare bird found recently in dire condition and unable to fly.

Following marked improvements in recent days, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s Derek Downes said a sore on the bird’s leg appears to be infected, forming a day after a round of antibiotics was completed.

“We’re now treating him with a different, longer lasting antibiotic and hoping that that’s going to pay dividends for him, but it’s a struggle,” the animal technician told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Downes said the baby male bird already disadvantaged by a compromised immune system is isolated at their Errington facility in an enclosed area to limit common bacteria and stress from visitors.

Staff at the NIWRC posted a favourable Facebook update on its high profile new admission as the bird displayed marked signs of improvement.

“His body condition has drastically improved since he came into the centre and he is starting to eat on his own now, but unfortunately we’ve suffered a setback in other areas,” Downes said.

He hoped the raven, discovered two weeks ago in the Errington area emaciated and unable to fly, will respond well to a continued quality nutrition routine to help boost its immune system.

However, he cautioned white ravens don’t seem to cope well with incidental bacteria.

“Unfortunately they don’t typically make it to adulthood,” Downes said. “Through hearsay there has been one that they saw conclusively make it over a year but then wasn’t seen after that.”

The species known as the Oceanside Sacred White Raven seems to be most heavily concentrated in the world in the Oceanside region, Downes said.

He pointed to sightings every couple of years throughout Parksville-Qualicum Beach since the 1990’s, but said none are known to have survived long-term.

The leucitic raven currently being cared for in Errington is not a true albino, Downes said.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre staff and volunteers rehabilitate hundreds of injured and sick Vancouver Island based animals every year, primarily birds ranging from ducklings and eagles, to ravens, hawks and owls.

About 20 animals unable to fend for themselves in the wild, including black bears, are permanent residents of the refuge just west of Parksville in existence since 1985.

Information on donating to or volunteering at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre can be found here.

The facility is open for a fee to view the animals from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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