As our Centre grows, so do our education programs, which aim to foster greater awareness and respect for wildlife. Our permanent animal residents play a vital role in this effort as education ambassadors. They help us connect with children and adults, fostering understanding and appreciation for the importance of wildlife conservation.
Meet Miss Scully, a Virginia Opossum
Miss Scully arrived at Procyon Wildlife in June 2025 as a severely injured and dehydrated juvenile, likely the victim of a predator attack. Despite her condition, she stabilized with intensive care and continued to grow alongside other young opossums. As she developed, it became clear that Miss Scully had lasting neurological and visual and hearing impairments that made her unable to survive in the wild. Having been raised in care and comfortable around people, she was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources in February 2026 to become an Educational Ambassador.
Today, Miss Scully plays an important role in helping to educate the public about wildlife and conservation.
Learn more about Miss Scully
Watch Miss Scully enjoying a beautiful Spring day
Meet Rusty, a Red-Tailed Hawk
Rusty, a majestic red-tailed hawk, hatched in May 2006. Likely rescued from an illegal falconry situation, he now resides at Procyon Wildlife. Rusty thrives on a protein-rich diet and enjoys engaging “food projects” like quail wings and animal hides. His care, provided only by staff, includes year-round accommodation in a free-lofted outdoor enclosure. Procyon’s major project in 2024 focused on building a specialized flight cage to support his well-being.
Learn more about Rusty
Meet Edgar, a Common Raven
Edgar, a resilient raven, joined Procyon Wildlife in December 2023 after a journey through other facilities. Despite a partial right-wing amputation and beak damage from a gunshot, Edgar thrives in his free-lofted outdoor enclosure, which he shares with Lenore. He delights in interacting with visitors, especially children, often vocalizing and approaching the front of his enclosure. Edgar has even caught the interest of local wild ravens, creating a unique connection to his surroundings.
Learn more about Edgar
Procyon Wildlife welcomes its first Animal Ambassadors
Meet Lenore, a Common Raven
Lenore, a striking raven, came to Procyon Wildlife after sustaining a severe wing fracture that led to a left-wing amputation. Despite three surgeries at the National Wildlife Centre, her injury couldn’t be fully repaired. Now a permanent resident, Lenore lives in a free-lofted outdoor enclosure alongside Edgar. While she is more reserved, she occasionally interacts with visitors, contributing to educational opportunities at Procyon Wildlife.
Learn more about Lenore
Edgar and Lenore: A Procyon Love Story
Meet Bagheera, a Domestic Mink
One of Procyon’s most adorable residents is Bagheera the domestic mink. Bagheera came to us in 2021 after being picked up by a caring finder. He was dragging his hind end and appeared to have suffered some paralysis as a result of an injury.
Upon his arrival it was clear to our staff that he was not the wild species of mink we were expecting to arrive with the hope of treating for release back into the wild. Bagheera is a European mink, bred for his thick coat to be used for fur. He happened to be the luckiest guy in the world for having escaped a fur farm (we believe) and end up in our care! Because Bagheera is not a wild animal, we were unable to release him. And due to his specific care requirements, we decided the safest and best place for him would be right here with us!
Bagheera’s paralysis healed up and he is able to use both of his back legs amazingly well! He has an indoor and outdoor enclosure, his own pond and endless spots for napping.
He serves as a reminder to the public about the realities of the Canadian fur industry, one that is very much still alive today. If you need another reason to not support the fur industry, Bagheera will gladly state his case!
If you come to our facility to drop off an animal or a donation, come say hello to this guy!
Learn more about Bagheera
Meet Marble and Goose, Domestic Rock Doves
Marble and Goose are domestic rock doves. Pigeons (or rock doves) are a feral breed of bird that are not native to North America.
They came to us as youngsters when someone was looking to rehome most of their home flock. Having been born in captivity, they were unable to be released as ferals and needed a captive home forever.
These two are friendly little birds who do a great job advocating for their wild species! Once you meet them, you may see wild pigeons differently.
They do an excellent job supervising intakes and are wonderful office administrators. They are currently in training for working with the public and are not quite potty trained and love to land on hats!
Remembering Heine, a Virginia Opossum
You may not know this, but part of saving and rehabilitating wildlife involves keeping your distance. In most cases, it is of utmost importance not to have the wild animals we care for become too comfortable around us, so that when they are released they maintain a healthy fear of human encounters.
All this changes when an animal is deemed non-releasable, as in the case of Heine, an orphaned opossum with a congenital tail deformity that wouldn’t allow him to survive in the wild. His foster carer, Procyon’s own Pam Boisvert, allowed herself to grow very attached to him, and him to her. In fact, Heine became one of Procyon’s first Animal Ambassadors, and everyone who knew him, loved him.
Sadly, his condition proved more complex than initially believed, and earlier this year Heine passed away. An especially huge loss for Pam, who was devoted to Heine, but also to everyone who had the pleasure of making his acquaintance even for a short time. Yet another difficult aspect of the whole rehabber experience.
The following is the heartfelt eulogy delivered by our Executive Director and Custodian, Debra Spilar:
“Today, our Procyon family is deeply saddened as we say goodbye to our precious opossum, Heine — affectionately known as Bummy. Though his time with us was heartbreakingly short, he made a lasting impact on everyone who had the joy of knowing him.
From the moment he arrived, Bummy captured our hearts with his sweet and gentle nature. He had a calm curiosity about the world and a personality that made everyone smile. We all saw such promise in him — he was going to be the perfect educational ambassador, helping people see opossums for the gentle, intelligent, and important creatures they truly are.
Sadly, his journey was cut short far too soon. It’s hard to find the words to express the sorrow we feel for such a loss, especially knowing how loved he was. Our hearts go out to Pam, his dedicated handler, who cared for him with so much patience, tenderness, and love. The bond between them was something special — full of trust, understanding, and affection. Losing him has left a space that cannot be filled, and we share in her grief.
Although his time with us was brief, Bummy’s memory will live on in our hearts and in the lessons he taught us — about compassion, gentleness, and the fragile beauty of life. We will always remember his sweet face, his quiet presence, and the way he reminded us why we do what we do.
Rest peacefully, dear Heine. You were so very loved, and you will never be forgotten.”
You can read his full story here.