GORE BAY – Manitoulin Transport has made a significant donation of $50,000 to the Wild at Heart Refuge Centre in Lively. The funds will go toward upgraded housing facilities for deer, moose and elk that need care.
“I took a tour of Wild at Heart a couple of weeks ago and saw the tremendous facilities they have for rehabilitating recovering animals, birds, turtles, mammals, bird species, reptiles and others.” said Jeff Smith vice president of Manitoulin Transport. “I was impressed with the great work they are doing, for instance to rehabilitate turtles who have had their shells damaged.”
Mr. Smith explained, “we realize the impact our trucks being on the road have on the wildlife. Animals get hurt or worse in collisions. We felt with all this in mind this would be a great way to give back.”
“The funds we donated will be going toward a new pen for deer, moose and elk,” said Mr. Smith. Plans call for the creation of a new, proper enclosure for deer, along with a barn that will provide access to both that pen and the bigger moose pen. The shelter often takes in orphaned fawns and calves.
“I think it’s important for people to recognize that we have a fantastic facility like this in Northeastern Ontario,” said Mr. Smith. “We would like to encourage other corporations and individuals who appreciate nature and wildlife to support the facility as well. If people find an animal, bird, or basically any kind of animal in distress there is a place where they will be helped and cared for, until they can go back into their environment.”
