The town has received its most unusual visitor to date.
On the morning of July 21, Town of Innisfail employee Bethann Lavigne arrived at the office only to find a unique guest in the flower bed bordering the back alley.
“I arrived at work, and in the flower bed, or flower garden, was a single dove,” said Lavigne. “Another employee, Dan Gervais, was there with me, and we brought the bird into the office.”
She noted the bird, a ringneck dove, was peaceful, and appeared to be docile. The Medicine River Wildlife Centre (MRWC) was called in to pick up the bird and is now caring for the albino ringneck dove. These doves have a reputation of being easily kept and can live up to 20 years.
“After examination, the dove was actually a family pet and is still a little quiet,” said Carol Kelly, executive director of the MRWC. “It has already gained a little bit of weight as well, which is a good sign. It is possible that the bird might just be lost or that it hit the window in flight, which they often do.”
Kelly noted there have been reports of doves hitting windows of the Chinook Center School across the back alley from the town office. She said when her staff has arrived to pick up lost doves they have disappeared.
“Some people release homing pigeons or doves during weddings, and we had received calls over the years on them but those numbers have dwindled recently,” said Kelly. “We might get a call from someone looking for their pet, you never know.”
Kelly added that the MRWC receives calls and drop-offs for animals of all types from painted turtles to domestic bunnies. The phone number for MRWC is 403-728-3467.
