This time of year is glorious for all of us – and for the wild neighbours with whom we share our communities. From black bears and coyotes to skunks and squirrels, wildlife is out and about, finding new den sites, food sources, and introducing their families to the world around them – even in cities. Sadly, human infrastructure and behaviours can lead to tragic outcomes for many animals; and that's why dedicated wildlife rehabilitators across the country need your help.

Joining us to talk about spring wildlife and their families, the surprising biodiversity of major cities like Toronto, and how you can help your local wildlife rehabilitator is Nathalie Karvonen, Executive Director and Founder of the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

SHOW NOTES

Episode art of a Toronto raccoon by bukharova / Getty Images

Toronto Wildlife Centre website: https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/

Toronto Wildlife Centre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torontowildlifecentre/

Impacts of Wildlife Feeding Along RBG Trails: https://www.rbg.ca/impacts-of-wildlife-feeding-along-rbg-trails/

Paris has successfully cut noise pollution, but urban birds still can't sing at their natural pitch: https://theconversation.com/paris-has-successfully-cut-noise-pollution-but-urban-birds-still-cant-sing-at-their-natural-pitch-280229

Ontario Gov page on Wildlife Rehab: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-wildlife-rehabilitator

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).

Defender Radio host Michael Howie is joined by colleagues Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin and Tijana Selak (Wildlife Campaigns and Advocacy Manager at The Fur-Bearers) to talk about The Fur-Bearers' recent time at the Humane Canada Summit for Wildlife, two studies reviewed for our article, and how communication is a key aspect to wildlife coexistence.

SHOW NOTES

Episode artwork by Brittany Crossman / Getty

Learn more about Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelivesofwilddogs/
Articles on TheFurBearers.com: https://thefurbearers.com/tag/drvallifrasercelin/

Articles and Studies referenced:

Humane Canada recap – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/recap-humane-canadas-2026-summit-for-animals/

Study: Helping Landowners Live with Beavers – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/study-helping-landowners-live-with-beavers/

Why Nocturnal Wildlife Gets Less Love – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/why-nocturnal-wildlife-gets-less-love/

Surprising ways skunks help your ecosystem – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/surprising-ways-skunks-help-your-ecosystem/

Raccoons at Noon? Don't Panic. – https://thefurbearers.com/blog/raccoons-at-noon-dont-panic/

Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).

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Artwork by Enrico Staine / Getty Images

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Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at info@TheFurBearers.com, by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (www.instagram.com/howiemichael) or Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio).

Defender Radio is produced by The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/furbearers), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/thefurbearers.bsky.social) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FurFree).