Exotic birds and plants helped by Vancouver firefighters during power outage
A power outage on Thursday at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park brought out firefighters to help keep the resident exotic birds and plants cool.
The power went out at about 3 a.m. and initially, a generator helped keep the dome cool inside. But as the temperature rose outside, the conservatory called in the fire department to help out.
An engine with four firefighters arrived on scene in the park at about 9:30 a.m. Later, a second aerial truck had to be brought in because the engine’s water stream was too strong for the conservatory’s domed roof.
“We didn’t want to damage the roof,” Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bertuzzi told CTV News.
The aerial truck arrived at about 11 a.m. and immediately started misting the roof with water to keep the exotic birds and plants inside cool. Bertuzzi compared the misting to the setup firefighters use for kids at water parks.
The misting had to be done in five minute intervals because the drainage under the conservatory was being overwhelmed. In all, firefighters were on scene for five hours.
Bertuzzi called the call “pretty rare.”
Emily Schultz, from the Bloedel Conservatory agreed. She says in her seven years with the conservatory, she’s never seen a power outage.
Along with the cooling work being done outside, inside staff were also working to hose down the pathways under the dome to try to lower the temperatures, Schultz told CTV News.
Twelve of the larger birds, including parrots and cockatiels, had to be put in cages and taken to a cooler back room.
“The birds were fine but they were much more talkative than usual given the unusual conditions,” said Schultz who wished she had taken video of all the sounds.
“We thank the firefighters for their help,” added Schultz who says all the birds and exotic plants emerged unscathed. The power was restored by 5 p.m., 14 hours after it went out.
The outage forced the conservatory to close for the day on Thursday, according to a tweet. It has since reopened.
The Bloedel Conservatory houses 150 free-flying exotic birds and 500 exotic plants and flowers, according to its Twitter page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.