For Malin

I want to thank everyone who took the time to either comment, send me a personal e-mail, or both about Malin. It is clear that this sweet little soul was loved by so many.

When I wrote my last newsletter I felt a little like a detective in a TV crime show not wanting to compromise an ongoing investigation. I do not wish to cause any issues to those who are working on the ground to get some justice for Malin. In fact, I will not do that. But, there is a lingering bonafide question that needs to be answered:

Why did an employee of a nature centre deny a wildlife rehabber access to the tower on Thursday to look for Malin with their binoculars? Why did they make them wait for three full days to get permission?

The wildlife rehabber found the body of Malin near to the nest in 30 minutes from the top of the tower once they had access on the 21st. Feather comparisons, tail bands, etc. have been compared carefully and the Osprey juvenile found on Sunday is confirmed to be Malin. It is believed that Malin was still alive on Friday when Marsha was calling and looking down the edge of the nest of the tower.

This is a quote from Marc Bekoff, Professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado:

“When we make decisions that damage the environment or harm animals, it is rarely because of a lack of knowledge and concrete data. Rather, losses to biodiversity, inadequate animal protections, and other negative impacts are typically due to problems of human psychology and social and cultural factors. Science alone doesn’t hold the answers to the current crisis nor does it get people to feel compassion or to act differently”. Bekoff is keen to get people to imagine the world from the perspective of wild beings. I would like to do that for Malin and his parents. Bekoff always emphases the role of human values in protecting our wildlife. He says, “…coexistence has to do with our human hearts.”

So why did the staff of the Collins Marsh Centre deny an individual trained to save and rehabilitate animals access to the tower to look for Malin when time was of the essence? According to Bekoff, that answer lies in the heart of that individual.

As I learn of things I will let you know if they do not compromise ongoing local enquiries.

Collins Marsh is part of Caretakers of the Environment International, CEI, a global, independent organization for environmental education and protection.

Their website is here: https://caretakers4all.org/

There is a form to send concerns on that site if you wish to do so.

If you wish to bring the concern I have raised to the local board that oversees Collins Marsh, I suggest that you FB message the Treasurer, Marilyn Starzewski. I am unable to locate the other members of the Board. It is of no benefit to write the e-mail address on the website of the centre.

Also, in my posting yesterday there were two typos. Malin fledged on Thursday at 3:47pm the 19th of August. His parents called him and brought fish to the nest on the 20th. The wildlife rehabber was given access to the tower on the 21st. I apologize for any confusion. It was a very emotional day.

Thank you for being with me today and thank you for caring for Malin. Malin will become a symbol, I hope, of the need for wildlife to have strong advocates and for their rights to be enshrined in law and in our minds and hearts so that incidents such as this never happen again.