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Photos Courtesy of Peter Langen (click for larger versions)

Helena News:

PRINCE GEORGE, BC (May 2)- The Prince George Cougars are asking for the assistance of the public as they begin campaigning to raise $22,000 to help save cougar Helena, a 3 year old cougar who was rescued by residents after the Kelowna wildfires in April of 2003, and sent to a Smithers rehabilitation centre for care.

Earlier this week, the Cougars “adopted” Helena and have already made a $1500 donation to jump start the campaign. The Cougars 50/50 Society has donated an additional $500 to bring their total to $2000. In combination with the $5640 already received through community donations, a grand total of $7640 has been collected to help save Helena. “It is a privilege to be involved in securing a safe environment for Helena. We are honoured to be supporting this campaign”, states Cougars Business Manager Brandi Brodsky.

Along with their media partners 99.3 The Drive, and 101.3 The River, the Cougars are encouraging all community members to become active in this initiative.

Funds collected will be used to build a new permanent enclosure for Helena. As per government regulations, the new facility will consist of steel posts and a 6 gauge chain link fence. If $22,000 is not raised within 3 months, authorities have indicated that Helena will have to be killed.

Northern Lights Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (NLWRS) receives no government funding and has only been a non-profit society for the past 3 years. Over the last 16 years, they have been responsible for saving hundreds of animals, including bears, deer, and moose. Your help is needed. The NLWRS hopes to be able to find a major sponsor to help achieve their goal of raising $22,000. As a thank you, the sponsor would be recognized by having their name appear on Helena’s new enclosure.

If you would like to get involved, please visit the Cougars website at www.pgcougars.com. From the menu bar, choose "Help Save Helena”. Inside you will have access to pictures of orphan cougar Helena, general details of the campaign, and information on how you can make a donation. Cash or cheque donations to the Northern Lights Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre can be made at the Cougars office. All donations will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

For more info on how you can help save Helena, please contact Cougars Business Manager Brandi Brodsky @ 561-0783 or call NLWRS representative Angelika Langen @ 250-847-5101.

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PRINCE GEORGE, BC (June 6)- The Prince George Cougars and the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter are searching for contractors to build cougar Helena’s enclosure by June 30, 2006, when their temporary permit with the Fish and Wildlife department expires.

With a high demand for contractors in the area, the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter has been unsuccessful in securing a bid. Bids will be accepted from contractors who have previous experience installing chain link fences and have access to a backhoe.

Once construction of the enclosure has been completed by June 30, the Shelter will receive a permanent permit for Helena and a ribbon cutting ceremony will follow shortly after.

All further donations the shelter receives on Helena’s behalf will go toward Helena’s up keep and improvements to her new enclosure. The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter hopes to raise enough money to make the new enclosure accessible to the public without causing disturbance to Helena.

Donations to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter will continue to be accepted at the Cougars office and will be eligible for a charity tax receipt.

If you would like to make a bid to construct Helena’s new enclosure, please contact Angelika Langen, Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter representative, at 250-847-5101.

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 Updates: as of June 5, 2006

JULY 5 UPDATE

The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter are still in the process of finishing up Cougar Helena’s new enclosure, and expect to have her moved in by the weekend. They have been granted an extension to finish the project by the Fish and Wildlife Department as construction has taken more time and money than expected. The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter plans to have an official grand opening of Helena’s enclosure towards the end of July. All further donations the shelter receives on Helena’s behalf will go toward Helena’s up keep and improvements to her new enclosure. Donations to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter will continue to be accepted at the Cougars office and will be eligible for a charity tax receipt.

AUGUST 15 UPDATE

The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter has finished construction of Cougar Helena’s new enclosure, and Helena finally has a new, safe home. However, as it was extremely difficult to build the enclosure, the contractors were forced to go $6000 over budget. The project was slated to be finished within 3 days, but the crew, who worked day and night, completed the project in 8 days.

"Our crew worked so hard, but as not many people have constructed this type of enclosure, it was difficult to estimate time and costs", says Angelika Langen, Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter representative. "Once again, we are asking for the public’s assisyance as we attempt to fundraise the remaining amount", finishes Langen.

SEPTEMBER 11 UPDATE

Cougars Business Manager Brandi Brodsky and GM Dallas Thompson will be in Smithers today to visit Cougar Helena and her new enclosure. PGTV will be on location as well, filming a feature for the upcoming season of Cougar View.

Helena is adapting well is her new enclosure, acting very content even when visitors approach her new home.

The Northern Lights Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre are recieving donations from local farmers of frozen horse, cow, sheep, rabbit, and chicken for Helena.

If you would like to make a cash or cheque donation to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter, please stop by the Prince George Cougars office at #102-2187 Ospika Blvd. South. (CN Centre)

All donations made out to the Northern Lights Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (NLWRS) will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

For more info on how you can help, please contact NLWRS representative Angelika Langen @ 250-847-5101.

SEPTEMBER 19 UPDATE

The Prince George Cougars and Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter are asking for the public’s help in assisting them with the continuing costs of the Wildlife Shelter’s upkeep. As the organization is a non-profit agency, the help of the community is greatly needed.

The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter has also taken in another baby Cougar, named Lucky, who was rescued near Duncan on Vancouver Island. Lucky has severe injuries that have limited the use of his hind legs. The four month year old Cougar is currently undergoing medical treatment. Once Lucky turns two, he will be placed in with Cougar Helena at the Shelter’s new permanent enclosure.

                                                 DECEMBER 7 UPDATE

Helena is doing splendidly, she loves her new home and is very content. Unfortunately, Cougar Lucky took a turn for the worst this week and after a lot of debate he was put to sleep yesterday. His back injury caused reoccurring paralyzing spells. It was so bad that he had no use of his hind limbs and was just dragging himself around. Staff tried everything from steroids to acupuncture over the past few months and while he did get a bit better, there remained too much pain for Lucky.

                                                 How You Can Help

If you would like to make a cash or cheque donation to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter, please stop by the Prince George Cougars office at #102-2187 Ospika Blvd. South. (CN Centre)

All donations made out to the Northern Lights Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (NLWRS) will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

Northern Lights Wildlife Society

http://www.wildlifeshelter.com/

Information on Cougars

http://www.fishbc.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/cougar.htm