RCMP Members are known for keeping communities safe through patrolling neighbourhoods, investigating crimes, and responding to emergencies. But sometimes, the job takes a turn for the unexpected, and they have to take on entirely new roles to deal with the situation at hand. And sometimes, the emergencies they respond to don’t involve another human at all!
From cows on the loose to seals stranded far from shore, many RCMP officers across Canada have stepped up to help animals in distress during their careers, showing the compassion and quick thinking required of officers in the field.
Here are just a few examples of the wild calls our Members have answered:
Crawlspace Kittens Saved in Tsay Keh Dene
Members in Tsay Keh Dene rescued a litter of kittens after getting deep into a crawlspace. Residents will even call the RCMP in to help with kittens and puppies, as there are no vets on the island, and these Members even go the extra step to send the animals to rescues.
Check out the full story and witness the rescue here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohOWQv4iA7s
Operation Trash Panda: North Vancouver Edition
North Vancouver RCMP officers rescued a family of raccoons trapped in a dumpster. The detachment called it “Operation Trash Panda” to highlight and have some fun with the unexpected but rewarding moment.
Seal Shenanigans in Prince Edward Island
Cst. Matthew Muirhead and RCMP Members gently wrapped a baby seal in a blanket and returned it to the ocean after it was found taking a trip down the road, but later that night the seal reappeared, prompting a second rescue.
Full story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-rcmp-seal-rescue-1.7114506
Pocket-Sized Rescue in Kamloops
After RCMP Members in Kamloops found a gosling in a woman’s pocket, Cst. Richard Christy talked to a conservation officer who warned that the bird might not survive if he was returned to his home. Heartwarmingly, Cst. Christy took it upon himself to bring the baby bird home and cared for it until it could safely be returned to the wild!
Timbit the Seal Pup Gets a Fresh Start
A seal pup was rescued by an RCMP Member using a plastic tote. The pup, later named Timbit, was taken to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre for care.
Read Timbit’s full story here: https://rcmp.ca/en/gazette/rcmp-officers-go-wild-helping-animals-west-coast
High-Flying Rescue in Burnaby
“As a police officer, you never know what you’re going to encounter, or who is going to need your help on any given shift”. – Cst. Tyler Hawkins, Burnaby RCMP
A red-tailed hawk found with a broken wing and an injured eye was rescued by an RCMP Member in Burnaby and safely transported to an emergency clinic before being transferred to the OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta.
The Burnaby RCMP has the full story here: https://www.facebook.com/BurnabyRCMP/posts/pfbid02igQTxWx88ScFHoWbueYVQi1J8iEBn8Wptcs8QmPcGPsMqsUxVArvLAykyhLZxvTRl
These stories are a reminder that our Royal Canadian Mounted Police Members are more than just police officers, they’re also problem-solvers, and sometimes, wildlife rescuers! It’s all part of the job when your office includes the vast, beautiful and wild landscapes of Canada.
RCMP Members have got your back – even if you’re a hawk, seal pup, trash panda (sorry, Raccoons), or anything else.