WRSOS Past President

  Bob Ewert
I got into rehabbing because of my job. In 1991 when the former Park Naturalist at Wascana Centre left the position I was asked (told) to take on the duties of the PN to fill in until the position was filled permanently. Lets see, that would be 15 years filling in part time along with my surveying and drafting duties for which I was originally hired at Wascana. My interest in bird watching was a perfect fit but juggling time between two positions is always difficult.

In 1993 when the WRSOS was in its infancy I was asked to come out to a meeting to see if I would be interested. Knowing nothing about helping out after injured wildlife, I thought I could learn things that would help me in my new duties at work so joined the group and took an active role. Having very little funds we had trouble putting on any activities to advertise the organization to gaining members. At the time being unable to get permits to legally rehab wildlife some people we did know did not want to be associated with the WRSOS for fear of being checked on and getting shut down by the authorities. It is very satisfying that Jan is finally able to get an official permit after 15 years of lobbying by some of our members.

Because the facilities at work are suitable mainly for waterfowl I try to restrict my rehabbing to birds. The most satisfying rehab activity I have had was when I was able to supply diet requirements to my wife Sandra to raise three Eastern Bluebird nestling. We rescued them out of a nest from which the adults had disappeared, one week later we took them back out to our nestbox trail and put them into another nest, 4 days later they fledged with the resident family.

Although dedicated birdwatchers we share our home with two lovely cats.