Over 1,000 animals from 155 species were taken care of last year at the MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre in Merville.

In all, there were 1,035 injured, ill or orphaned wild animals that came into the centre in 2024, from 155 different species. MARS posted a year in review story on Facebook on Jan. 5, detailing their busiest month, a break down of species and more.

The most common species at the centre was American Robins, although it was followed closely by raccoons. Birds made up over 76 per cent of the species helped at the centre, with mammals next at 22 per cent and reptiles and amphibians taking less than one per cent each. The social media post says that 7 species of bat were helped, with 30 individuals, and the "most interesting species" were beavers, a pine marten, a Common Nighthawk and a Pelagic Cormorant, among others.

The post said that "watching BDOW48 adopting a baby owl and then being released together was the highlight of the year for me."

Another highlight was seeing a duck, named Gadwall957, heal from a broken beak.

"We really didn't think Gadwall 957 would make it, but her sudden and inspiring recovery was incredible to watch," the post says.

Other notable rescues were the owl that had to have its eye surgically removed, yet recovering and thriving, as well as a garter snake which underwent a tail amputation surgery. In 2024 MARS also raised funds for a hibernation cooler in less than 36 hours.