It wasn’t just another ordinary day in Errington, British Columbia. One local had an unexpected encounter while walking through a field. There, outside the city, he spotted something extraordinary: a white raven. At first, he was simply amazed by the sight of the rare bird. But then he noticed something troubling—the raven was badly injured. Covered in wounds and unable to fly, the bird was clearly in desperate need of help.
Without hesitation, the man decided to take the raven to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. The staff at the center were just as surprised by the bird’s arrival. But they quickly realized the injuries were more severe than they had initially seemed. They wasted no time in beginning treatment.
“These ravens are often called ‘the sacred white ravens of Oceanside,’” said Derek Downes from the center. “Sadly, only one has made it through its first winter.”
As the raven’s condition worsened, he was moved to the intensive care unit. He was weak and hadn’t eaten in days. But the dedicated staff worked quickly, providing antibiotics and vitamins to help heal the bird’s wounds and boost its health. Slowly but surely, the raven started to show signs of recovery. Now, he is steadily improving, and the staff is hopeful he will soon be strong enough to fly again.
“His body condition is fantastic now, and he’s even flying a little bit in his enclosure,” Downes said. “We’re really hopeful we’ll see success with this one.”
The raven’s white feathers are a result of a genetic condition called leucism. While it gives the bird an unusual and beautiful appearance, it can also pose health risks. Leucism often leads to weak eyesight and a compromised immune system, making the bird more vulnerable.
“This is a leucistic raven,” Downes explained. “It still has some melanin, unlike true albinos who lack all melanin. Unfortunately, these ravens tend to have a very weak immune system.”
With the care and attention he’s receiving, though, this majestic bird might just have a chance at a full recovery.
