Jessie Lee Elementary students learned a valuable lesson last week, as they celebrated the return-to-freedom of a seagull dubbed Stanley.
“Never doubt the difference you can make in a day,” said parent Lynda Honing, repeating key words she shared with students just prior to the bird’s release.
The year-old Stanley was spotted on the school grounds by Honing’s 10-year-old daughter, Isabelle, on the Wednesday morning (Nov. 5).
He appeared lifeless at first, Honing said, but then, “I called to it and it lifted its head,” she said.
Honing said she then contacted officials with the Wildlife Rescue Association in Burnaby and transported Stanley to their care. There, she learned the wayward bird had suffered a head injury, likely from flying into a school window.
Fortunately, all Stanley needed was one night in care, and Honing got word the next morning that he was ready to return to the wild.
“We just released it,” she told Peace Arch News, shortly after.
She described the experience as “a good teaching moment for the kids.”
“Even if you have many other things to do, it feels so great to make a difference.”