Our Mission

The Cochrane Ecological Institute is devoted to the preservation of North America’s biodiversity through the conservation and breeding of endangered indigenous species, environmental impact evaluation, ecosystem restoration through the reintroduction of extirpated flora and fauna, rescue and rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wildlife, public education, field research, and the monitoring of habitat and species through the development of non intrusive survey methods.

Our History

Everyone thinks that some agency, probably a government funded one, protects and cares for wild animals in distress. This is not the case at all! Although in Canada and in the U.S. wildlife is legally protected by Federal and Provincial (or State) agencies, no government agency is responsible for the rescue, treatment and release of injured or orphaned wildlife.

Cochrane Ecological Institute's Swift Fox Reintroduction programs began in 1972 under the direction of Beryl and Miles Smeeton. Since that time over 800 Swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian Prairie. This has resulted in the Species being downlisted by the Canadian Government from Extirpated to Endangered.

Your Impact

By donating to us, you are DIRECTLY supporting our wildlife patients. Your donations will help buy them food, help us to add new enrichment to their enclosures, pay for their vet visits and checkups, allow for us to continue to do research on successful post-release techniques and ultimately expand the amount of patients we can support. Everything helps!Live in the area and need dog/cat boarding? All proceeds from our Happy Tails Pet Retreat Kennel help to FUND the work we do!https://www.happytailsretreat.com/