Wild About Wildlife

Hosted by Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

If you care about the issues affecting Canadian wildlife, this podcast is for you. Come behind the scenes at Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre where every month Salthaven volunteer Kathy Mueller chats with wildlife care experts, explores wildlife conservation and how it relates to climate change, and offers tips on steps you can take to protect wildlife right in your own backyard. Together we can keep the wild in wildlife. Contact us at wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org. Podcast artwork by Janice Drysdale.

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28 recent

June 15, 202630 min

E25 - Shifting Rain Patterns: The Hidden Threat to Birds

When you think of climate change, you probably picture heatwaves. But for birds, the real danger might actually be the rain. In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Western University biology professor Dr. Alice Boyle to uncover a surprising threat to global biodiversity.Discover:Why the timing of rainfall matters Which Canadian birds are most at riskSimple, high-impact actions you can take to help protect bird populationsBoyle LabWestern NewsWestern Centre for Animals on the Move To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

May 18, 202630 min

E24 - Planting for Pollinators

Whether you are a master gardener or someone who is currently apologizing to a struggling rosebush, this episode will help you decide what to plant in your yard to attract birds, bees, butterflies and other vital pollinators that help keep our ecosystems healthy. Middlesex Centre Pollinator TeamGolden AlexandersCarolinian Canada "In the Zone"To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

April 13, 202638 min

E23 - Wild Resilience: Unbelievable Stories of Survival

From snake invasions to flying squirrels that know how to party to chewing up earthworms to feed injured birds, we've seen it all at Salthaven. Today, we are opening up our archives to share some of the most unforgettable wildlife patient stories from our clinics in Ontario and Saskatchewan.You will be shocked. You will laugh. You might even tear up. To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

March 16, 202636 min

E22 - Chimney Swifts: A Survival Story

Imagine a bird that spends almost its entire life in flight, eating, drinking, sleeping and even mating, before it disappears into our dark chimneys at night. Today we are uncovering the secrets of an urban icon, the chimney swift, one of our most understudied bird species. Why do they fly into chimneys? Why are they threatened? Can fake chimneys provide the answer? And how can you help? All questions we'll answer in this episode of Wild About Wildlife. So glad you could join us!London Monitoring Program: londonswifts@gmail.comNature LondonBirds CanadaOntario Swift Watch (links to Facebook)Gardening for birdsTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

February 16, 202633 min

E21 - Co-existing with Coyotes

"You can't tell me that you love your dog and hate coyotes. They're exactly the same, only one is wild."Where do you stand on the issue of coyotes? Are they curious, family-oriented canines or menaces to people, pets and farm animals?In this episode of Wild About Wildlife you'll hear about bounties put out on coyotes, why open hunting seasons are not the way to control their populations, and tips on how we can co-exist with them.Host Kathy Mueller chats with Bonnie Dell from the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan, and Megan Lawrence from Salthaven West. ResourcesWildlife Rescue Society of SaskatchewanCoyote Watch CanadaTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

January 19, 202641 min

E20_Before the Forest Falls Silent: Why Great Apes Need us Now

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, we explore the profound connection between humans and our closest living relatives, the great apes. We delve into the remarkable capacity of gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos for curiosity, play, and problem-solving—traits that reveal we aren’t as different as we might think.Our guest is Dr. Rick Quinn, a veterinary ophthalmologist from southwestern Ontario whose focus shifted from a successful private practice to the front lines of ape conservation.Tune in to hear: The moment Dr. Quinn realized these animals are "just like us."How Canadian veterinarians are making a global impact on conservation.The urgent mission to save our closest relatives from extinction. Resources:Docs4GreatApes: website, Facebook, InstagramGorilla Doctors: website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

December 15, 202532 min

E19 - Wild About Wildlife Rewind

Welcome to this special "rewind" of Wild About Wildlife! This month, we look back at some of our most memorable conversations from previous episodes.We're diving into the archives to bring you highlights that showcase groundbreaking technology, dedicated conservation efforts, and inspiring individuals who share our passion for the animal kingdom.In this episode:Beavers & Bytes: Learn how researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence to study beaver behaviour, including how they can be our allies in fighting wildfires. A Closer Look at Bird Banding: We revisit our segment on bird banding, a vital practice for tracking migration patterns, population dynamics, and avian health. Discover how catching, tagging, and releasing birds provides essential data for conservationists.From Heartland to the Wild: A fan favourite interview with actress and animal advocate Amber Marshall, star of the hit TV series Heartland. She shares her experiences working with animals on set and how, in her case, art really is mimicking life!Thank you for listening and being a part of the Wild About Wildlife community!To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

October 13, 202529 min

E18 - In the forever business of protecting land

This month we talk with Thames Talbot Land Trust, a non-profit in southwestern Ontario doing amazing work to protect, conserve, and restore nature – not just for today, but for generations to come.They’re thinking long-term, preparing habitats now for wildlife that will relocate here long after we’re gone.Curious about how land conservation really works, and why it matters more than ever? Take a listen and get inspired to protect the places we all value.Thames Talbot Land TrustHawk Cliff WoodsJoany's WoodsNature Conservancy of CanadaTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

September 15, 2025Episode 1733 min

E17 - Root, the Wood Turtle on Wheels

Meet Root, a wood turtle who happens to be missing a foot. But that hasn’t slowed him down in the slightest! Thanks to some creativity, a few Lego pieces and a dog harness, Root is motoring around.Tune in as Heather McKinnon-Ramshaw and Tessa Biesterfeld from the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Nova Scotia describe the trials and tribulations of designing the perfect mobility aid for Root, how he took to it, and the one characteristic that sets wood turtles apart from their other prehistoric cousins.Museum of Natural History, Nova ScotiaWood turtles in OntarioOntario Turtle Conservation CentreRoyal Saskatchewan MuseumTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

June 16, 202537 min

E16 - Birds of Summer

Summer temps will soon be soaring, and our feathered friends will be feeling the heat! Should we help them? We answer that question and explore how you can attract different birds to your yard while keeping so-called bully birds from taking over your feeders! Host Kathy Mueller is joined by birding expert Jeff Lee from Wild Birds Unlimited who also answers some questions submitted by his customers. Wild Birds UnlimitedBird Friendly LondonBirds CanadaTo learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org. And make sure to follow us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontarioand now on:Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.socialHave an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org