Heatwave in British Columbia: How to help wildlife endangered by high temperatures

With a heat warning in effect across British Columbia, Wildlife Rescue is responding to an increasing number of reports of wildlife suffering from the extreme temperatures.

In recent summers, Wildlife Rescue has noticed an increase in reports of animals suffering from the heat. “A few decades ago, we didn’t have this. Now we’re getting calls about baby seagulls on roofs suffering from scorching temperatures, young bats grounded after leaving overheated colonies, and countless other animals struggling to find water and shelter from the sun during extreme heatwaves,” explains Jackie McQuillan, Wildlife Rescue’s Support Centre Manager.

Signs of overheating in birds include open mouth breathing, appearing bloated, or showing signs of lethargy. Nestlings may leave their nest box prematurely due to overheating, while young birds may wander away from their parents in search of cooler environments and water. Dehydration is a significant threat to all wildlife on hot days.

As wildfire seasons increase, British Columbia’s wildlife is facing an escalating crisis. Animals, particularly in urban environments, are struggling to find relief from extreme heat.

“During fire season, animals displaced from their habitats are at particular risk in urban areas like Metro Vancouver, including crashing into windows, coming into conflict with people, competing for limited resources, and being more likely to be attacked by predators such as pets,” McQuillan said.

The public can help wildlife by providing a birdbath or shallow water bowl for birds to cool off in. Temporary shade can be provided by placing household items outside for birds to shelter under. Longer-term strategies include planting native trees and shrubs and incorporating permanent shade structures into outdoor areas to create cool, sheltered areas for local wildlife.

“These measures help animals survive during heatwaves, but thanks to donations to Wildlife Rescue we can also provide emergency medical care that is vital to the recovery of affected animals,” said McQuillan.

The organization is calling on the public to remain vigilant this summer and to immediately report any encounters with animals in distress to the Support Center.

This article was written by Elin Molenaar, Communications Assistant at Wildlife Rescue Association.