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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 19, 2015 | 6 Recent incidents in Halton of animals in obvious distress -- like a grebe discovered with a sh hook stuck in its neck in Oakville and a goose shot with an arrow found at a Burlington waterfront park -- were disturbing, to say the least. In both cases, local residents took action in reporting the injured birds to authorities and, in one case, even assisted with the rescue. In these instances, residents used due diligence, watching, observing, monitoring and contacting the appropriate authorities. However, for others who may come across wildlife in need, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry warns in some situations, people should be careful in their approach to avoid potentially doing more harm than good. According to a fact sheet provided by the ministry, if you see what you think might be a sick, injured or abandoned animal, don't be too quick to remove it from its natural habitat. It may not need assistance and you may complicate the situation in trying to help. The ministry states some species leave their offspring alone temporarily, especially during the day. For example, deer and cottontail rabbits spend much of the day away from their well-camou aged offspring to minimize the chance of predators nding them. To determine if a young animal has been abandoned, check it periodically for 24-48 hours to see if it's still around. Keep your distance and keep cats and dogs away from the area. The adult animal may not return if it's noisy or if predators or people are close by. However, if you believe an animal is ill or injured, look for these signs: · Blood, wounds or swelling on the body; · Body covered in fleas; · Unusual or uneven loss of fur or feathers; · Substantial hair loss or with visible winter ticks; · Difficult or raspy breathing or sneezing; · A dangling leg or wing; · Closed eyes and head tucked under wing. In guring out what to do with a wild animal that you believe is sick, injured or abandoned, the ministry recommends contacting a wildlife rehabilitator who can help assess the situation and provide advice. That's exactly what Oakville residents did, and then waited patiently until the Toronto Wilfdlife Centre was able to stage a rescue of the injured grebe. A list of wildlife rehabilitators is available on the ministry's website at www.ontario.ca/ministry-naturalresources-and-forestry. If specialized and immediate care is necessary to help the animal, take it to a wildlife rehabilitator or a veterinarian within 24 hours. If you must handle the animal, follow the instructions provided by the wildlife rehabilitator on how to minimize risk or injury to yourself and to the animal. Wear protective clothing and equipment, such as leather gloves, to avoid bites or scratches, and wash hands after handling the animal. Helping an animal that may be in distress is admirable and an act of kindness that should be commended. But the rst step is determining the best way to help. Assess the situation before trying to help Editorial R I D I N G F O R D A D "Connected to your Community" 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 49 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN The 15th annual Toronto West Ride for Dad leaves from the Galaxy Club's Unifor Local 707 of ce on Saturday, June 6. Just more than 200 riders left bright and early on the sunny Saturday, raising approximately $45,000 to help the ght against prostate cancer through education and research. Physicians from Credit Valley and Sunnybrook hospitals spoke, while the event was MCed by Toff and Linda from KX94.7 and country artist Marshall Dane played during the wrap-up luncheon, according to local organizer Robert Stanley. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution Countdown to Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Gary Carr Halton Region Chair My View CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Excitement is beginning to build as we get closer to the start of the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. With the Town of Milton as of cial host of cycling events during the games, there will be lots of activity happening here in Halton and lots of visitors to our great region. Halton is ready. We've been working closely with Milton and the TO2015 organizers on areas including transportation, paramedic services, public health and emergency planning. We are committed to ensuring the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Halton will be safe, fun and successful for everyone involved, including our residents. Halton Region is already known as the Home to Cycling in Ontario and that's why we're thrilled the Games' cycling events will take place at the new Mattamy National Cycling Centre (which will be known as the Cisco Milton Pan Am/Para- pan Am Velodrome throughout the games). This state-of-the-art velodrome adds to our already signi cant offering for cyclists, from biking along the waterfront to our vast network of trails and rural routes, and beautiful, yet challenging, routes on the Niagara Escarpment. There is something for all levels of cyclists here in Halton. The Town of Milton is also offering a number of community events in the coming weeks under its `Milton Ramps it Up' campaign. It will be offering a hub viewing station, fan stands and cycling trading cards. The Town is looking forward to welcoming visitors to its community. We also look forward to welcoming athletes, their families, and tourists to enjoy the variety of great dining establishments and other tourist attractions Halton has to offer. We hope they will also taste some of our fresh local food from our farmers and farmer's markets throughout the region. We hope you will join in the excitement of the games. Remember that traf c throughout the region will be busier than usual, so please plan ahead. To learn more about the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and fun activities around Halton, visit Halton.ca/TO2015 or www.milton.ca/games. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. 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