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Take a whale tour and help MARS

Their Wildlife Centre has maintained federal and provincial permits since 1993 to provide professional care for wildlife
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Bald eagles are well represented on the islands in the Broughton Archipelago.

Stubbs Island Whale Watching is pleased to announce a special fundraising event in support of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society of Merville on Vancouver Island.

Stubbs Island Charters will be hosting a special tour tomorrow at 1 p.m. with all proceeds raised going to MARS’ efforts to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife on Vancouver Island.

“The tour will focus on the fabulous marine bird life and we might see some whales too,” says Roger McDonell, partner of Stubbs Island Charters. “September is a busy time of the year when we see so many different birds that migrate and feed through the area. MARS does a lot of work with birds and we wanted to support their work as the bird life in this area is an understated part of our wildlife viewing each year.”

Since 1995, The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) has operated a designated Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre situated on three acres at 6817 Headquarters Road, north of Courtenay, three km. off the old Vancouver Island Highway in Merville, BC.

Their Wildlife Centre has maintained federal and provincial permits since 1993 to provide professional care for wildlife and relies on donations and contributions to fund its operations.

At least twice this year, orphaned or injured birds from the Telegraph Cove area have been rescued and taken to MARS for treatment and recovery. Earlier this summer, a young Barred owl was found on Hansen Island and rehabilitated to be released back where it was found on July 29.

On Aug. 28, a juvenile bald eagle was found on Flower Island near Hansen Island. It appeared to have a broken wing so it was recovered by volunteers from OrcaLab and taken to Telegraph Cove where it was transported down to the MARS rehabilitation centre. While this bird is still being treated, everyone here is hopeful that this eagle will make a full recovery and be released back in the area.

Stubbs Island Whale Watching is B.C.’s oldest whale watching company offering tours from May through October from Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island.

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society can be found on the web at www.wingtips.org