Lighthouses: An Ongoing Series of Interviews with Inspirational Figures

Since 1984 Carol Kelly has been rehabilitating wildlife at Medicine River Wildlife Centre (MRWC), which is the wildlife hospital, education, and research centre she founded. She and her team are an unstoppable force who have saved, without exaggeration, tens upon tens of thousands of animal’s lives. They find orphans new parents, provide trauma care and physiotherapy to wild animals and release healthy wildlife back to natural habitats. 

The centre helps roughly 2000 animals a year covering over 230 species.

The staff of MRWC teach children how to respect animals and nature, and give them an opportunity to see wildlife up close in order to establish that tangible connection that can often successfully imprint for life. Carol and her team also help to mentor a new generation of conservation and wildlife students locally and from all over the world, through their internship program. Carol’s legacy is extraordinary, yet she sounds so equable about her accomplishments:

"All we did was watch Mother Nature, and copied what she did" - Carol Kelly

Hello Carol!

For those who may not know, it all kicked off with one owl right? Could you tell us the story? Did it end well?

Yes it did. I was doing a bit of volunteering for a local SPCA and had a book by Kay McKeever, the Owl Lady of Ontario, at home so was asked to take in a Great Horned Owl that the shelter had just received. The next day I was contacted by a Fish & Wildlife officer who informed me it was illegal to be caring for the owl. When I asked how to get the appropriate permits I was told they didn’t exist. Two years later and a lot of work I received Alberta’s first contract but was limited to calling it “animal rehab”. It wasn’t until two years later that we were given permission to be a wildlife centre. That first owl flew away and I never really knew what the injury was.

Were you involved with animals before you took in the owl? Or did you just kind of fall into this?

I’ve always had a connection with animals. My mother told me that my imaginary friend as a small child was a bird. I started a domestic rescue in Newfoundland shortly after getting married and worked closely with the local vet. I was very young and inexperienced so after about 4 years we left the province and I gave up the SPCA. We came west but we took our 6 dogs, 4 cats, and 1 pony.

The documentary on you and the centre was so inspirational. It sure does not look easy though. Where does your power and fortitude come from? What makes you not give up?

Thank you. There have been very tough times along the journey but with each challenge I learned something and tried to incorporate those lessons into the Centre’s plan forward. I was born with a very tenacious personality but it’s the support of family, friends, volunteers, staff, and donors that keep me going.

Was there ever a moment when you did almost fold? How did you manage to keep going?

There were lots of times when I felt like giving up and wondered what the heck I was doing. Difficulties with people and desperate financial times were the main reasons. My determined personality helped but it was just when I’d be at a low point someone would end a telephone conversation with “We are so grateful you are here; thank you so much for being there for us.” That always gave me a reason to continue. People don’t always realize how powerful a compliment can be.

What are some of the most common animal injuries or issues your centre deals with, that people might be surprised to learn?

Almost all of the injuries we see are caused by human activity. Vehicles, windows, domestic cats, barbed wire, fishing line, and misinformation are the most common. Other lesser things are sticky fly tape, babies found in RVs after they have moved, or dog injuries. These injuries are rarely inflicted on purpose so a big part of our education is teaching how to be aware of our actions and help minimize the damage.

What are some things we should keep in mind, or practice, to help our sister and brother animals out?

I think the best thing we can do is learn more about the critters that live around us, understand ways to keep their habitats healthy, and don’t anthropomorphize. If we understand our neighbours we can live better with them.

Your website says you take in 15 intern applicants a year - what is your criteria in bringing someone on? What are you looking for?

We actually have reduced the number to 4 but ask that they commit to 3-5 months in order to get the most out of the internship. We only ask for students to have a good work ethic, be a team player, and be eager to learn. Our students come from all areas of interest and have ranged from 18 - 36 years of age.

What should prospective interns be aware of? What have previous ones found most difficult?

We have had students who have had difficulties with the death they see or living away from the city, but to be honest, most students really enjoy their time here, the hard work, getting dirty, and the team building they experience.

Do you only take in veterinary students? Could someone without a medical background apply - like maybe there is an accounting student, or carpenter apprentice who also feels strongly about wildlife that would like to help you?

We did take up to 15 Volunteer Tourism students each summer but when we changed to formal internships we now take only 4. Students come from various areas of interest and very few have been veterinary students.

What do you feel has been the greatest positive change in your line of work since you started?

Wildlife rehab was not taken seriously 40 years ago in Alberta but as one Fish and Wildlife biologist said “At first I wasn’t sure about wildlife rehab but now I realize it is one important tool in the toolbox”. People realize now that it’s our responsibility to help wildlife that have been injured by human activity.

Nowadays, many youth in particular feel a bit hopeless and lost as the future feels bleak to them - which is why you are such an important example. Thank you for being a Lighthouse, shining brightly through darkness and showing us there are ways to make a difference. You rule our hearts.

If all of our young people could find a passion, move forward one day at a time in a non-aggressive manner to achieve their passion, the world would be a much better place.