FAQ

What is a captive-bred animal?

A captive-bred animal is an animal that was born in a controlled environment such as a wildlife preserve, zoo or other conservation facility. Earth Rangers only accepts animals from accredited breeding facilities focused on conservation and education. For more information please see our Animal Acquisition Policy.

 

What are captive breeding programs and why are they important?

Captive breeding programs are an insurance policy against extinction, providing a means for conserving species that may be struggling to survive in the wild. Captive bred animals may be released back into the wild to re-populate depleting numbers. They have been an integral part of recovery programs for a number of species including the Bald Eagle and Black Footed Ferret. 

How are the animals at the Earth Rangers Centre trained?

All of the animals at the Earth Rangers Centre are trained using a process known as positive reinforcement. That means that when the animals do something good they are rewarded with food and unwanted behavior is simply ignored. Read our Animal Training Policy to find out more.



Why do the animal handlers wear gloves when holding the owls and other birds?

The talons on the owls and other birds are very sharp.  The gloves help to prevent the animal trainers from getting scratched or cut.


Are there volunteer opportunities at Earth Rangers working with the animals?

Yes, for more information about volunteering at Earth Rangers please follow the link to our Volunteer page.


What should I do if I find a sick or injured animal in the wild?

Please see the website for the Toronto Wildlife Centre for excellent advice on what to do if you find a sick or injured animal. If you live outside of Toronto, contact the local wildlife centre in your area.


Do you visit schools outside the Greater Toronto Area?

A number of factors, such as how long the animals remain in transit, limit our ability to travel distances greater than 80km from our centre in Woodbridge, Ontario. Please contact us for more information.



How many kids will you see at once?

The number of children we present to at each show is usually limited by the size of the school gymnasium. At larger schools; however, we have found that 300 students per show is a roughly the maximum we can accommodate.


Is there a charge for your program?

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Earth Rangers school show is free of charge to schools. As we are a registered charity, donations are always gratefully accepted. To book a show call 905-417-3447 or book online.

For community events and festivals, please call 905-417-3447 or email us for pricing details.

Can school groups visit the Earth Rangers Centre?

At this time, the Earth Rangers Centre is closed to the public.


How long is each show?

Each show has a run time of approximately 50 minutes. This time accounts for ushering students in and out of the gymnasium, as well as a question and answer period.


How do I book a show?

To book a free Earth Rangers show for your school, please call 905-417-3447 or book online. For more information contact us. 


Why does Earth Rangers have Animal Ambassadors?

Our experience has taught us that the most powerful way to reach children and inspire them to protect the planet is through live animals. Our amazing animals act as "ambassadors" to improve the situation for wild animals around the world.


Why don't you bring every animal you have to the show?

There are a few reasons why we don’t bring all of our animals to our shows. Travel time, space restrictions and time limitations at schools are all considerations that inform our decision. Also, our Ambassadors take days off, just like us!


Where do your Animal Ambassadors come from?

Our Ambassadors come to us from two different places. Some of them were injured, arrived at a rehabilitation facility and came to Earth Rangers once it was determined they could not be released. The other method is through a captive breeding program. These programs serve as an insurance policy against extinction and have been an integral part of recovery strategies for a number of species.


Why aren’t people allowed to touch the animals?

Our Ambassadors work closely with their trainers and have become very comfortable around them. We don’t allow any contact with the Ambassadors because they are wild animals – they are well-trained, but should not be mistaken for tame.


Where do the animals live at Earth Rangers?

All of our animals have their own living spaces back at the Earth Rangers Centre. We have also recently completed the construction of our aviary, a 3,600 sq. ft. environmentally-conscious building. This new facility will house 12 of our raptors, providing them with extensive space to stretch their wings and enjoy the natural sights of their surrounding environment.


Water: Can you drink the water after it comes out of the treatment system?

In Canada, this water is still one level below what we’re allowed to drink. Instead, it’s used in our toilets, cooling tower, for grounds irrigation and to clean the animal areas.


Water: How long does the membrane in the wastewater treatment system last?

The membranes need to be replaced approximately every five years depending on the application and preventative maintenance.


Earth Tubes: How far below the surface were the earth tubes laid?

They were laid 1.5 metres below the ground surface. At this depth, the earth’s temperature is constant all year round (typically 10 to 23 degrees Celsius).


Heating/Cooling: Why do you use glycol in the radiant heating tubes rather than water? What properties make it better to use?

Vegetable grade glycol has a better heat/cool holding capacity than water, similar to the radiator fluid in your vehicle.



Solar Panels: How do the solar panels heat the water?

We heat the water with glycol/water mix which is pumped up to the panels. Gravity draws the liquid back down, after it has been heated by the sun.



Green Roof: Was special consideration given to the design of the roof under the green roof?

The design of a green roof should always be carefully considered. Concrete supports the green roof structure at the Earth Rangers Centre. The roof slopes toward the drains, which collect the excess rain water.


Green Roof: What kind of soil and plants are used in the green roof?

For the topsoil we used crushed lava stone and soil, which is relatively lightweight. The plants are all succulents, which were chosen because they are hardy and drought resistant.



Green Roof: How deep is the green roof?

Green roofs typically range in depth from 100 to 200 millimetres. Earth Rangers’ roof is 150 millimetres deep.



Green Roof: Where does the additional runoff from the green roof go?

The water passes through storm water interceptors which filter leaves and other debris. It then enters the 310,000 litre reservoir and 25 per cent is returned to the building for non-potable uses.


General: Why is the building made of concrete?

Concrete has several benefits and was chosen, among many reasons, for its excellent structural strength and thermal storage properties. Concrete slabs help to improve the comfort and energy performance of the building and create a very stable indoor temperature. Concrete underground ventilation tunnels and a double foundation wall temper all outside air for ventilating the building.  As well, concrete provided the best building material to support the green roof and was locally available. Its durability and the fact that it’s easy to clean and maintain were additional benefits.


General: Where did you get the carpet and flooring material?

We got our carpeting from a company called Interface Inc. Our tile flooring came from another company called Mondo. We chose these products because they are low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and are produced by companies committed to sustainable manufacturing.



General: How big is the Kortright Conservation Centre property?

320 hectares.

For more information on the Kortright Centre visit: www.kortright.org

General: What mammals are typically found on the property?

The following mammals can be found on the property: White tailed deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, porcupines, opossums, raccoons, and skunks.