Medicine River Wildlife Centre is reminding Central Albertans to prevent animals from crawl into dangerous spaces around your home this spring.
The "Cover Your Vents Event" is being held throughout the month of March.
"Each spring, we receive numerous calls concerning baby birds that have become separated from their parents or are found in perilous situations due to nesting in uncovered vents and other dangerous cavities. Not only is this a great danger to the birds but can be a fire hazard for you," states the Medicine River Wildlife Centre's website.
Cover Your Vent aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife during the nesting season.
"By taking proactive measures, we can collectively safeguard our feathered friends and ensure their safe nesting. We encourage everyone to join us in this effort before the spring nesting season begins," states the website.
Central Albertans are encouraged to take a close look at your house and spot anywhere that might be attractive to nesting birds.
"Remember, those little songbirds can fit into some tiny spaces. Look for dryer vents, stove exhaust vents, bathroom exhaust vents and chimneys.
"Pick up a cover and protect those spaces now as spring is just around the corner, and so are migrating birds ready to set up homes."
For help or advice, Central Albertans are encouraged to call 403-728-3467 or email wildlifeconflict@mrwc.ca.
People can purchase a vent cover at any Central Alberta Co-op, with 15 per cent of the purchase going to support the Medicine River Wildlife Centre. Available vents include an air intake hood for the dryer, a vent cap for the dryer, and brown or black bathroom exhaust vents.
In a Facebook post, the centre also encouraged people cover window wells too.
"A range of wild ones from skunks, to muskrats, to baby hares, to ducklings find themselves trapped in window wells each year. It's quite a surprise for you to find and can be life threatening for the animal if not found and rescued quickly," the centre stated in the Facebook post.
For more information, visit medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca.
