VAR in Action! Salmonier Visit Insights
VAR Students take on Salmonier Nature Park!
Our VAR students went on an outdoor adventure at Salmonier Nature Park! They got the opportunity to observe and learn about a wide range of native Newfoundland and Labrador wildlife in a natural setting. Talk about some fresh air!
The park offered a guided tour with educational insight into the care and management of various animal species, emphasizing best practices in animal welfare, habitat design, species-specific nutrition, and veterinary health monitoring.
Check out their insights below!
1. Species Overview
The park is home to a diverse range of native species including, but not limited to:
- Mammals: Moose, red fox, lynx, snowshoe hare, caribou, beaver
- Birds: Bald eagle, snowy owl, Canada goose, great horned owl
- Reptiles & Amphibians: Native frog species (seasonally observed)
- Other small mammals and birds as part of conservation and rehabilitation programs
Each enclosure reflects the natural habitat of the species, encouraging natural behaviors while ensuring safety and comfort.
2. Housing Requirements
Animal housing at Salmonier Nature Park is designed to meet the physical and behavioral needs of each species, with considerations for:
- Space and enrichment: Enclosures allow for movement, climbing, burrowing, or flying depending on species-specific behaviors.
- Shelter and weather protection: Structures provide refuge from the elements, while still allowing exposure to natural seasonal cycles.
- Substrate and terrain: Enclosures mimic natural ground cover—ranging from forest floor to wetland conditions.
- Safety and containment: Fencing and barriers are tailored to species size, mobility, and escape risk, while ensuring public safety and minimizing stress.
3. Nutrition and Feeding
Species-specific diets are provided based on natural foraging habits, metabolic needs, and seasonal variations. Key principles include:
- Diet diversity: Carnivores are offered raw meat and bones; herbivores receive forage, grains, and browse; omnivores have a varied mix to replicate wild intake.
- Feeding schedules: Feeding times are managed to mimic natural feeding patterns and may include enrichment-based delivery.
- Supplementation: Vitamins or minerals are added when necessary to support captive health and development, especially in growing or aging animals.
4. Health and Veterinary Care
Animal health at the park is monitored proactively through:
- Routine observations: Staff regularly monitor for signs of illness, injury, or behavioral change.
- Preventive care: Vaccination, parasite control, and dental checks are performed in collaboration with veterinary professionals.
- Medical intervention: Animals requiring treatment are attended to in the on-site care facility or referred to specialized wildlife veterinarians as needed.
- Record keeping: Detailed health records are maintained for all permanent residents to track medical history and ongoing care.
5. Educational and Conservation Focus
Beyond care and management, Salmonier Nature Park plays a critical role in:
- Public education: Providing awareness on local wildlife, conservation issues, and human-wildlife coexistence.
- Rehabilitation: Some animals are non-releasable due to injury or habituation; others may be temporarily housed for rehab and eventual release.
- Ethical wildlife display: The park emphasizes the dignity and welfare of its animals over entertainment, promoting respectful wildlife observation.
This tour highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of wildlife health—integrating biology, behavior, nutrition, and veterinary medicine in a real-world conservation context. It's just one of the many additional education opportunities that our VAR students have the benefit of experiencing. It shows them the variety of possibilities for their future careers.
Discover more about our VAR program, including topics covered and upcoming start dates!