Wild About Wildlife

E24 - Planting for Pollinators

Mon, 18 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

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 Team

Golden Alexanders

Carolinian Canada "In the Zone"

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWildlife/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salthaven_org/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/salthaven_org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/salthavenontario

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E23 - Wild Resilience: Unbelievable Stories of Survival

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

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:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E22 - Chimney Swifts: A Survival Story

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

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.com

Nature London

Birds Canada

Ontario Swift Watch (links to Facebook)

Gardening for birds

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E21 - Co-existing with Coyotes

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

"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.

Resources

Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan

Coyote Watch Canada

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

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

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500

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, Instagram

Gorilla Doctors: website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E19 - Wild About Wildlife Rewind

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E18 - In the forever business of protecting land

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400

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 Trust

Hawk Cliff Woods

Joany's Woods

Nature Conservancy of Canada

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E17 - Root, the Wood Turtle on Wheels

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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 Scotia

Wood turtles in Ontario

Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre

Royal Saskatchewan Museum

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E16 - Birds of Summer

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0400

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 Unlimited

Bird Friendly London

Birds Canada

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E15 - Bird Buddies

Mon, 19 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In Canada, up to 42 million birds die every year - not because of cats or being hit by a car - but because they've flown into windows.

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller is joined by Dr. Brendon Samuels to explore what researchers are doing to help reduce these deaths – and how you can help from your own backyard.

Resources

FLAP Canada

Bird Friendly London

Western University Sustainable Development Goals

iNaturalist Canada

Global Bird Collision Mapper

Project Feeder Watch

Nature Canada

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E14 - Going Green

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:00:00 -0400

It's April and that means Earth Day! That time of year when we're all encouraged to be a little bit more mindful about our behaviour and how it affects Mother Earth.

In this episode, host Kathy Mueller explores the steps taken by Salthaven Wildlife over the years to reduce its carbon footprint. Turns out there are a lot of things being done in the clinic that you can adapt in your own home.

If you're looking for an Earth Day activity, check out the list below for possible ideas:

EarthFest London

London Clean & Green

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

And some additional year around resources:

Get Involved London

Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team

David Suzuki Foundation

Climate Action London

London Environmental Network

ReForest London

Bird Friendly London

Feather Friendly

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E13 - Talking Turtles

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Turtles have been around since the age of the dinosaurs and are actually distant relatives. They've done a pretty good job of adapting over the years, except when it comes to adapting to humans. Their slow reproductive rates, combined with human impact, means many turtle species are at risk. Species-at-risk biologist Scott Gillingwater joins host Kathy Mueller in this episode of Wild About Wildlife to talk turtles, the role they play, the threats they face, how you can help, and we'll throw in a fun fact or two.

Southern Ontario At-Risk Reptiles (SOARR) (Facebook)

Southern Ontario At-Risk Reptiles (SOARR) (Instagram)

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E12 - Chillin' with Bats

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What's in your refrigerator? Here at Salthaven Wildlife, if you open our fridge in the winter, you are likely to find a bat or two! Believe it or not, it actually helps these ravenous insect eaters survive our coldest months.

Curious about how it works? In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two of Salthaven's bat experts, Natalia Slipak, Clinic Manager for Salthaven West in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Megan Clark, a member of Salthaven's Bat Squad in Ontario.

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E11 - Frosty Feathers: How to help birds survive winter

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500

While the rest of us are trying to work off the extra pounds we put on over the holidays, birds are needing to add weight if they hope to survive the cold Canadian winter.

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Jeff Lee, a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and manager at Wild Birds Unlimited in London to shares his insights and expertise on how we can support our feathered friends during the chillier months.

Wild Birds Unlimited London

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E10 - Gotta Keep 'em Educated

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Let’s face it, we’ve all had to sit through a boring presentation or two, but at Salthaven Wildlife, we promise you – our presentations are anything but dull!

In this episode, host Kathy Mueller sits down with Salthaven founder Brian Salt to chat about the exciting and engaging wildlife presentations Salthaven offers. Whether in-person or virtual, these talks are anything but ordinary – and there’s always a special guest making an appearance! Brian shares how Salthaven tailors each presentation to fit the needs of schools, community groups, senior homes, businesses, and more.

Learn more about wildlife in a fun and interactive way! Book your Salthaven presentation today!

Salthaven website (presentation tab)

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E9 - Beavers and AI

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

For over 7 million years, beavers have been nature’s architects, building dams and shaping wetlands across Canada - long before artificial intelligence was even a concept!

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, we explore how researchers are harnessing AI to identify these engineering marvels and better understand the vital role beavers – and their dams – play in mitigating disasters like wildfires.

Our guest is Dr. Emily Fairfax, Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Emily Fairfax - website

Dr. Emily Fairfax - on Twitter - @EmilyFairfax
Beavers and Wildfire: A stop motion video by Emily Fairfax
Dr. Emily Fairfax - on YouTube
Dr. Emily Fairfax - on Instagram

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E8 - Salthaven West Celebrates a Milestone

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Salthaven West is the only wildlife rehab centre serving southern Saskatchewan and this year, this small but ever growing clinic is celebrating a decade of making a difference in the lives of wildlife.

Listen in as we dive into their plans for a major expansion, explore the diverse wildlife they care for (more than 1,400 patients annually!) and discuss the vital role of education in wildlife conservation.

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E7 - In Conversation with Amber Marshall - Part 3

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Breathing under water. Being able to teleport yourself with a snap of your finger. Talking to animals? What’s the one superpower you wish you had?

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller discovers what super power Amber Marshall, former Salthaven volunteer and star of the CBC series Heartland, wishes she had.

But first, the conversation picks up where we left off in part 2 – and working with animals that do not want to cooperate. On the set of Heartland, it’s mainly horses. At Salthaven, it’s all kinds of wildlife.

Marshall's Country Store
Amber Marshall on Instagram
Heartland

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E7 - In Conversation with Amber Marshall - Part 2

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Did you know that like human actors, horses also have body doubles?

In this episode, host Kathy Mueller continues her conversation with Amber Marshall, star of the CBC series Heartland. If you like horses, you'll want to tune in.

Amber talks about the vibe horses bring to the set, whether she identifies with her character Amy Fleming, and the insecurity of working in the television industry.

Amber has been around animals her entire life. As a teenager growing up in London, she volunteered at Salthaven for a couple of seasons and now, for the past 17 years or so, she has called the Prairies home.

-----------

Amber Marshall
Amber Marshall on Instagram
Heartland

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E7 - In Conversation with Amber Marshall - Part 1

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Our special guest is London native Amber Marshall, former Salthaven volunteer and star of the long-running hit CBC series Heartland.

Our conversation lasted almost two hours so we've broken it up in a few episodes!

In Part 1, Amber reminisces about her time at Salthaven as a teenager, why she decided not to become a veterinarian, and how she was able to merge her two passions - animals and acting.

Amber Marshall
Stream Heartland for free

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E6 - Help! I've found an animal - Part 2

Sun, 05 May 2024 12:00:00 -0400

In Part 2 of Help! I've Found an Animal, host Kathy Mueller continues her conversation with two expert wildlife rehabbers from Salthaven's team about when to intervene and help an animal, and when to let nature take its course.

The discussion focuses on turtles, baby deer, geese, raptors, opossums and raccoons.

For information on birds, bunnies, and squirrels, tune in to Part 1 of Help! I've Found an Animal.

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E6 - Help! I've found an animal - Part 1

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Spring has sprung and that means lots of wildlife babies.

But what should you do if you stumble upon a tiny creature in need? How can you tell if it actually needs a helping hand?

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two experts from Salthaven's team. They share tips on how to manage birds, squirrels and bunnies and, if you have to handle them, how to do it safely.

Handy resources:

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association

Mike Hensen, photojournalist

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E5 - Going Batty at Salthaven

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

What comes to mind when you hear the word “bats”?

Do you automatically think about Hollywood horror movies or are you reminded of the important role these flying mammals play in our eco-system?

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller chats with two volunteer members of Salthaven Wildlife’s Bat Squad about the bad rap bats get and why we should all be installing bat boxes and encouraging them to live in our communities.

Canadian Wildlife Federation - Report a bat sighting
Canadian Wildlife Federation - Build a bat box

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E4 - Volunteering at Salthaven Wildlife

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0500

If you love animals and are willing to get dirty (there's a lot of poop!), volunteering at Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre might be the perfect fit for you!

From working hands-on with wildlife to helping out with maintenance, in the garden or as one of our official photographers, there are many ways to support Salthaven and give back to the community at the same time.

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, Salthaven volunteer and host Kathy Mueller chats with Lorrie Miller about her experiences as a volunteer, and founder Brian Salt about what exactly he's looking for when on-boarding a new volunteer.

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E3 - Migration and Banding

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we look at a new bird banding program at Salthaven West, discuss why it's important to band birds, and the simple thing you can do at home to help protect the bird population.

Birds Canada
Report a bird band
FLAP - Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E2 - Springtime at Salthaven

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0500

At Salthaven Wildlife, we’re receiving baby wildlife earlier in the season and are noticing a shift in the arrival times of migratory species.

In this episode of Wild About Wildlife, host Kathy Mueller sits down with operations manager Mel Paterak to discuss how climate change is impacting wildlife and how that’s having a knock-on effect on staff and volunteers at Salthaven.

You also won't want to miss this episode's patient story, about a garter snake that was hit by a lawnmower and the steps the team took to get this snake back on her…stomach!

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org

E1 - Welcome to Wild About Wildlife

Sat, 06 May 2023 17:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Wild About Wildlife, a new podcast from Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre.

I’m your host Kathy Mueller and in our first episode I’ll take you behind the scenes at Salthaven Wildlife. I’ll chat with founder Brian Salt, a former musician who has opened for some big name acts like the Beach Boys and John Mellencamp, about his career switch. I’ll also talk to Salthaven volunteer Megan Lawrence who now oversees our operations in Regina about the different wildlife patients her team sees compared to the Ontario clinic.

Enjoy and thanks for listening!

To learn more about Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, visit our website: www.salthaven.org.
And make sure to follow us on:

and now on:
Bluesky: @salthavenwildlife.bsky.social

Have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us at: wildaboutwildlife@salthaven.org