UPEI's Tourism Research Centre releases study on international visitors
“The Exit Survey was designed so results could be cross-analyzed to provide a depth of data for further analysis. With this in mind, we were able to isolate data collected from our international visitors,” explains Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. “Although this small market, approximately 4.9 per cent of total visitors, does share some characteristics, we decided to divide this segment into three categories: European visitors, Japanese visitors, and other international visitors.”
International visitors, those from outside Canada and the US, were quite different from various segments of North American visitors. Japanese visitors, somewhat of a niche market for PEI, were much younger than other visitors, with almost half of them being between the ages of 18 and 34. European visitors have the highest earnings with almost 38 per cent making more than $125,000 per year. Almost half of other international visitors are retired?the highest rate among all visitors by origin.
“International visitors are spenders, with European and Japanese visitors spending around $86 per person per night and other international visitors spending $102 per person per night,” states Dr. Hennessey. “This is significantly higher than the North American average of $66 per person per night. However, it is unfortunate that this market is so small and diverse from a marketing standpoint. Although the entire segment is comparable in size to the New England market, this market is spread around the globe, so targeting them will be much more difficult and expensive. A marketing strategy that is very successful in even one European country may completely fail to entice residents from another European country.”
Other highlights of this report include:
• Approximately 60 per cent of international visitors were from Europe, 10 per cent from Japan, and 30 per cent from other offshore countries.
• Almost all Japanese visitors were on pleasure trips (99 per cent); this figure dropped to 86 per cent for visitors from Europe and to 79 per cent for visitors from other international origins.
• Japanese and European visitors were travelling on trips of just over two weeks in length (16 nights). Other international visitors were on month-long trips (31 nights).
• PEI was the main destination for 77 per cent of the travellers from Japan, but they stayed only 4.2 nights (25 per cent) on the Island. This was less than European visitors (5.0 nights) and only slightly more than visitors from other international origins (4.0 nights).
• International visitors from all markets of origin stayed in hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs, or inns much more often than Canadian or American visitors; they spent between 42 and 66 per cent of their total nights in this type of accommodation.
• European visitors spent a leading 36 per cent of their nights in Anne’s Land and the remainder were distributed throughout the Island in ratios fairly similar to US visitors. These visitors spent at least one night in almost all regions of the Island at above-average rates, with the exception of Summerside. However, their stays tended to be relatively short.
• Japanese visitors spent a far-above-average 71 per cent of their nights in Charlottetown and the remaining 28 per cent in Anne’s Land. They did not spend their nights on PEI in other regions. Visitors from other international origins also spent a far-above-average 44 per cent of their nights in Charlottetown; however, they spent a market low 8 per cent of their nights in Anne’s Land.
• As expected, Japanese visitors had very high participation rates for Anne of Green Gables- related attractions and activities: 85 per cent visited Anne attractions. In addition, 66 per cent attended live theatre and shopped for souvenirs, while 31 per cent visited Canada’s birthplace attractions. These were all market highs.
• Visitors from all three international markets of origin were very high spenders. Their average daily spending ranged from a low of $83.41 for European visitors to $88.33 for Japanese visitors, and on to a high of $102.36 for visitors from other international origins. In comparison, North American visitors spent an average of approximately $68 per person per day.
• European and Japanese visitors gave similar ratings for Island prices and value for money, and the ratings were very similar to those given by US and Canadian visitors. Visitors from other international origins gave market high ratings for prices and value. European visitors gave market low ratings for the variety of things to see and do on the Island, and for intention to revisit.
• Almost all Japanese visitors were first-time visitors (99 per cent); 77 per cent of visitors from Europe and other international origins were first-time visitors.
• The age structure of Japanese visitors was very unique relative to other markets: almost one-half (49 per cent) were 18 to 34 years of age. This was more than double the ratio in this age category for any other market.
• International visitors were very well-educated relative to Canadian visitors. This was especially the case with Japanese party heads, where 74 per cent had university or higher levels of education.
• European visitors have very high household incomes. A market-leading 38 per cent had incomes of $125,000 or more. Japanese income levels did not reflect their high levels of education. They were very diverse, which may reflect their younger age.
The report is part of a series of supporting reports based on comprehensive data previously released in the report, “Overall Results of the 2007 Exit Survey.” The data is for the main tourism season of June 27 to September 30, 2007, and was collected as visitors departed PEI at the Confederation Bridge, Charlottetown Airport, and Wood Islands Ferry (seasonally). Data presented is for pleasure visitors who spent at least one night on PEI. For a list of all reports released by the TRC on Exit Survey results, please visit trc.upei.ca/exitsurvey. Three more reports based on main season results will be released over the next six weeks.
Further information about the report can be obtained from the Tourism Research Centre, School of Business, University of PEI, at (902) 566-6096 or trc@upei.ca.
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Media contact: Anna MacDonald, Media Relations and Communications Officer, (902) 566-6786, amacdonald@upei.ca, www.upei.ca
Investments of over $7.6 million for Canada Games 2009 announced at UPEI on July 5
The University of Prince Edward island was the site of a news conference on Saturday, July 5, to announce over $7.6 million in funding for Canada Games facilities in the City of Charlottetown, including the new $6.8 million state-of-the-art Athletic Complex now under construction on campus.
A number of Charlottetown-area facilities will be upgraded and modernized to host various events during the 2009 Canada Games as a result of investments announced today by the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). The upgrades will benefit over 4,000 of Canada’s best athletes during the 2009 Canada Games, and bring lasting social and economic benefits to Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, were joined by Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, Wade MacLauchlan, President of UPEI and Wayne Carew, Vice-President of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society to announce over $7.6 million in funding for Canada Games facilities in the City of Charlottetown.
“The Government of Canada believes that participation in sport is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to a healthy society,” said Minister MacKay. “These Canada Games facilities in the Charlottetown area will provide social and economic benefits for years to come. Venues like these better position the province to host large-scale events that create positive economic spin-offs that will be felt across the Island.”
Today’s announcement outlined details of the new $6.8 million state-of-the-art Athletic Complex that is currently under construction on the UPEI campus. The Athletic Complex will host almost 50 track and field events during the second week of the Games. Also on the UPEI campus, the aquatic complex at the CARI Centre will receive nearly $300,000 in upgrades allowing it to host numerous swimming and diving competitions. As well, Memorial Field and the nearby tennis courts at Victoria Park will undergo major renovations totaling almost $530,000 for the 2009 Canada Games.
"The Canada Games are a unique Canadian event bringing together young men and women from every province and territory in a celebration of sport and culture," said Premier Ghiz. “These facilities will be a tremendous legacy for the Island and will ensure that athletes, as well as the general public, have access to high-quality sport facilities for years to come."
There are 32 proposed venues all across Prince Edward Island for the 2009 Canada Games. It is anticipated that over 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers will attend.
"The City of Charlottetown is a city with impressive sport facilities and a rich sporting tradition, some of which was born from the Canada Winter Games hosted by our City in 1991. It is fitting that we stand here today with our federal and provincial partners again to speak about further legacy building through the Canada Games experience", says Mayor Lee. "We are confident it will have a positive impact on the City and these new facilities will leave a legacy for Island athletes for years to come."
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the dedication of the local Host Society, and the contribution and support of the federal, provincial and host municipal governments, and the Canada Games Council.
“As organizers of the 2009 Games, we are pleased to be partnering with the various orders of government and UPEI to create top-notch facilities for hosting the nation next summer,” said Host Society Vice-president Carew. “It is especially rewarding to know that our efforts will also ensure that future Canada Games athletes from Prince Edward Island will have access to excellent training and competition venues.”
"These magnificent athletics facilities will permit our entire community to achieve new levels of health and wellness, and to host an outstanding Canada Games,” said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. “UPEI is honoured to work together with governments and the community to create this major new platform for athletic competition and success."
These Canada Games facilities are being funded through Canada-PEI Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) with contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the City of Charlottetown. The University of Prince Edward Island is responsible for maintaining the facilities on campus. For more information about infrastructure initiatives in Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/cca
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Photo credit: The photo on the UPEI website's home page is courtesy of Brian Simpson.
BACKGROUNDERS
THE CANADA GAMES
Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity.
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council.
UPEI ATHLETIC COMPLEX
The Athletic Complex is under construction at the UPEI campus. The state-of-the-art facility will host 25 track and field events for men and 24 for women during the second week of the games. The Complex will feature a synthetic 400m, 8 lane oval track, a water jump for steeplechase, a facility for long and triple jump, pole vault, discus and hammer throw, javelin throw, shot put, warm-up track, storage, washrooms, spectator seating and viewing as well as site and storm drainage and fencing. The total cost of this project is $6,793,322, which will be funded through Federal, Provincial and Municipal contributions.
CARI CENTRE – SWIMMING AND DIVING INFRASTRUCTURE
Charlottetown will play a lead role in 2009 when Prince Edward Island hosts the Canada Summer Games. They are major shareholders in a CARI Centre which is owned by a not-for-profit corporation - Capital Area Recreation Inc. This $299,400 project will upgrade the technical requirements for both the swimming and diving facilities at the CARI Centre. The swimming upgrades include the installation of pushbutton Daktronics, touch pads, lane dividers/covers, and darken windows to reduce light reflection. The diving aspects of the project include a 3m diving board, pool lighting, and surface agitation system including electrical components.
VICTORIA PARK TENNIS COURTS
The Victoria Park Tennis Courts are located in the southern section of the 40 acre parkland. The current venue consists of a total of six lighted courts, a tennis club house, parking as well as a nearby canteen service owned and operated by a local service club. The site has been chosen by the 2009 Canada Games for the tennis competition. The Canada Games requirement includes a total of eight courts in one venue. Rather than try to create a new venue with eight new courts and all the amenities, it was decided to add two additional courts. In keeping with a specific bylaw pertaining to Victoria Park, the Council held a public consultation, and as a result, have support to proceed with two courts in a specified area. This venue upgrade will not only enable the City to host the 2009 Canada Games but will also enable the tennis community to attract other future national competitions which also require an eight court venue. The total project cost is $229,000.
MEMORIAL FIELD UPGRADES
Memorial Baseball Field, located in Victoria Park in the heart of Charlottetown, is a premier venue for baseball play in the City. This site has been chosen as a primary venue for hosting Canada Summer Games baseball in 2009. The facility presently does not meet Canada Games standards in either the dimensions or type of playing surface. A substantial upgrade is required in order to meet Games specifications. The work includes stripping the topsoil from the infield and replacing the infield material with natural sod material to create a grass infield. The infield will have a drainage system as well as irrigation. The overall repositioning and expansion of the field will be moved in a northerly direction so as to avoid tree removal in the adjacent woods. Lights will be relocated and repositioned. New amenities will include bleachers, a bullpen; fencing and a press box. The complete scope of work has been endorsed by Canada Games officials to ensure that medal games can be played on these fields. In addition, City has already committed to hosting the 2008 National Junior Baseball Championships in August. This event will act as a pre event trial of the venue for 2009 Games. The total project cost has been approved for $299,814.
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Fish health presentations to be delivered by international experts
“This conference is significant in many ways,” explains local organizing committee chair, Dr. Dave Groman of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Aquatic Diagnostic Services Unit. “Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector and many regions of the world need fish protein as a safe, stable food source. Aquaculture is also a major industry faced with many issues that go hand-in-hand when dealing with living organisms in a dynamic environment.”
“From a veterinary perspective, we need to better understand and apply the principles of veterinary medicine to aquatic animals,” explains Dr. Groman. “From a diagnostic perspective, there is huge potential for significant benefits through increasingly specialized testing.”
The meetings will center around four plenary sessions. The first plenary, Aquatic Animal Health: Veterinary Medicine’s Contribution for Market Opportunities, will be led by Dr. Brian Evans, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada. The second plenary, An Overview of Captive Tuna Diseases, will be led by Dr. Ivona Mladineo of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Croatia. Dr. Oystein Evensen of Norway’s School of Veterinary Science will deliver the third plenary on Inflammatory Cells and Processes of Early Immune Response in Fish. The Atlantic Veterinary College’s Dr. David Speare will deliver the final plenary session on Applications of Ultrastructural Pathology in Fish Health Diagnostics and Research.
“Furthering the science of fish health has considerable long term benefits for the world’s human population and eco systems,” explains Dr. Groman. “Our meeting will aggressively address the latest research and findings around fish health through almost 100 oral and poster presentations in four days.”
The Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is regarded around the world as “the fish vet school” because of its expertise in aquatic species health. A number of Atlantic Veterinary College experts, including Dr. Dave Speare (who was recently awarded the Pfizer Excellence in Research Award, the Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award and is the principal investigator in the recent discovery of the world’s first vaccine for a microsporidial gill disease), Dr. Fred Kibenge (who heads up one of only two OIE laboratories in the world for Infectious Salmon Anaemia), and Dr. Larry Hammell (Director of the Atlantic Veterinary College’s wide reaching Center for Aquatic Health Sciences), will participate in the conference.
The Fish Health Section (FHS) was formed in 1972 and is the largest organization of fish health professionals in North America. Current membership is made up of nearly 400 fisheries scientists, veterinarians, researchers, regulators, teachers, and students - all of whom work together to promote fisheries and to help protect the health of wild and cultured aquatic animals.
This is only the second time in the Fish Health Section’s history that it has held its meeting in Canada.
UPEI International Student Award renamed in honour of Dr. Vianne Timmons
During her tenure at UPEI, Dr. Timmons worked to enhance international development and education at UPEI. In 2002, an award was set up as part of the university’s efforts to support international development and international students. In the spirit of raising awareness and promoting international education, UPEI holds an annual luncheon during International Development Week in February each year to raise funds for this scholarship.
When Dr. Timmons recently left UPEI to accept her post at the University of Regina, her colleagues here decided to rename the award in her honour. Friends, family, and colleagues have donated to the award in her name, and Dr. Timmons’ family is matching the donations.
The Dr. Vianne Timmons International Student Award will be presented on February 6, 2009, during UPEI’s International Development Week.
International students from more than 50 countries make up about eight per cent of the student population at UPEI. To help students make the most of their university experience, UPEI offers support services, including an international student advisor, an international recruitment office, student connection “buddy” program and English-as-another-language training.
For more information, please contact Alaina Roach O'Keefe at aroach@upei.ca or 902-894-2842.
UPEI gives out $2.5 million in scholarships, bursaries and prizes annually. Most are made possible through the generous support of individual donors.
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Media contact: Anna MacDonald, Media Relations and Communications Officer, (902) 566-6786, amacdonald@upei.ca, www.upei.ca
International Conference on Biodiversity and Natural Products takes place July 13 to 18
This is the first time that the conference, sponsored by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), has been held in North America. It is chaired by Dr. Russell Kerr, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products Chemistry at UPEI.
The conference, which has been developed by an international science advisory panel, will include plenary, invited and contributed talks on various aspects of the discovery and development of therapeutic compounds from natural marine and land-based organisms.
IUPAC conferences are highly rated by the scientific community and attract the highest calibre of scientists from around the world. Formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia, IUPAC has fostered worldwide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic, industrial and public-sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC has long been recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data.
For more information about the conference, please visit www.iupac-icbnp2008.com/.
Funding for projects to benefit companion animals, horses and wildlife announced by AVC's Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
“We are very grateful to the Friends of the Christofor Foundation for their ongoing support of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College,” says Dr. Alice Crook, the centre’s coordinator. “This year’s research projects include a review of euthanasia procedures in Canadian animal shelters with the hope of assisting shelters with recommendations in best practices, as well as a study looking at a possible association between obesity and kidney disease in dogs. Service projects receiving funding this year include renewed support for the Chinook Project which enables AVC to provide veterinary care to isolated communities in the Canadian North, a financial aid program to help pet owners with low incomes, and health management services for two Island equine sanctuaries.”
The projects will be carried out by faculty and students at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI. For information on the Centre, please visit the web site at: www.upei.ca/awc.
Information is provided below on projects funded through this year’s competition.
1. Survey of euthanasia practices in animal shelters in Canada to identify ways of incorporating ‘best practices’ into guidelines for humane euthanasia (Dr. Michael Cockram, Chair, Animal Welfare, AVC)
Euthanasia is an unavoidable and unfortunate reality for most animal shelters and humane societies across Canada. Regardless of the reason or the setting, all animals are entitled to a humane death, i.e., one without pain and distress. Factors that are likely to have a significant impact on the humaneness of euthanasia include the method used, the availability of drugs, the knowledge, training, and experience of staff, the equipment, the environment, and the circumstances.
This study will establish a baseline of knowledge of current euthanasia practices in Canadian animal shelters. One component of the study will be a literature review of euthanasia practices for companion animals and wildlife to look at aspects such as drug options, chemical and physical restraint, animal handling procedures, environmental conditions, and current legislation and guidelines. The second component will consist of a mail survey to identify and describe euthanasia practices and protocols in animal shelters across Canada, with a view to identifying what aspects require improvement and what aspects may require further research.
2. Is there an association between obesity and kidney disease in dogs? (Dr. Darcy Shaw, Chair, Companion Animals, AVC)
The health consequences of obesity in people, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, are well-known. Many of these complications have direct harmful effects on the kidney. However, obese and overweight patients without diabetes or high blood pressure also have an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease, which is preceded by a condition called obesity-related glomerulonephropathy (ORG). This condition can be reversed with weight loss.
Obesity is a common and significant health problem in dogs. Changes similar to those in ORG have been seen in the kidneys of obese dogs, but the correlations with protein loss in the urine or other markers of kidney injury have not been assessed. The purpose of this study is to determine if otherwise healthy, obese dogs have evidence of kidney injury and if the degree of injury corresponds with the severity of obesity. If there is obesity-related kidney disease in dogs that can be reversed through weight loss, this will provide important new information about both the health risks of canine obesity and the treatment of kidney disease in overweight dogs.
3. Chinook Project - providing veterinary care to Nunavut communities (Dr. Lisa Miller, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, AVC)
Veterinary care is unavailable in many communities in the Canadian North. This project is a renewal of the 2006-funded SJDAWC project which provided basic veterinary care to communities in Nunavut, specifically Kimmirut in 2006 and Cambridge Bay in 2007. The Chinook Project teams were very warmly received in both communities.
This year the AVC team will return to Kimmirut, an isolated community on the south shore of Baffin Island. The community has a population of approximately 400, many of whom maintain a traditional lifestyle involving hunting, fishing, and several sled dog teams. For one week in July, a volunteer team of two veterinarians and four veterinary students will provide medical and surgical care to sled and homebound dogs. Such care will include vaccinations, examinations and treatment for parasites, neutering, and other surgical and medical treatments as necessary (e.g, tumour removal). Community members will be given basic information about first aid, vaccinations, and parasite prevention; and supplies will be left with them to improve the well-being of their animals. AVC team members will also participate in a cultural exchange to allow them to broaden their understanding of Canadian diversity.
For 2009, the team has been asked to go to Kuglutuk (Copper Mine). Project participants are keeping journals during their time in the communities, from which will be produced a series of creative non-fiction pieces to form a book with the working title “AVC Goes North”.
Travel and shipping of supplies to Nunavut are very costly. Besides SJDAWC support, the Chinook project has received very generous reductions on air fares and shipping from First Air, as well as generous assistance from Pfizer, Iam’s, Cogsdale Corporation, and Home Hardware (St. Peter’s Road).
4. Financial aid to neuter companion animals of owners with low incomes (Dr. Peter Foley, Assistant Professor, Companion Animals, AVC)
Many dogs, cats and rabbits are surrendered to the PEI Humane Society every year because their owners can not provide homes for them. Pet over-population is particularly difficult to address in families that are unable to afford to have their pets neutered.
SpayAid PEI is a new volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to reducing companion animal over-population by creating and maintaining a spay/neuter assistance programme targeted to aid Islanders most in financial need. The organization works with participating veterinary clinics using a model that shares the costs of neutering a pet between the owner, the veterinary hospital, and SpayAid, each of whom pays one-third. SpayAid also pays the full cost of the first vaccination appointment three to four weeks prior to surgery.
As one veterinary partner in this initiative, the AVC Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is supporting two SpayAid sponsored neuters per month. The SJDAWC is supporting the SpayAid programme by covering the organization’s portion of the costs for the two neuters at the VTH, which will allow SpayAid to direct its resources towards more neuters. Go to www.spayaidpei.com for more information or an application form.
5. Health management services for the PEI Equine Retirement Society, Inc. (Dr. Wendy Duckett, Associate Professor, Health Management, AVC )
The PEI Equine Retirement Society Inc. (PEIERS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of horses destined to be destroyed or shipped for the meat industry, and to finding new homes for them as pets or pleasure horses. Since its founding in O’Leary in 1996 by Mr. Dale Cameron, the Society has taken in 28 horses, of which 14 have been placed in new homes and six have been euthanized due to intractable health problems. Eight horses are currently at the farm. Through the support of the SJDAWC, AVC has provided preventive medical care to the horses at the Society from the beginning.
Through this year’s project, support is continued for two more years. The program includes physical examinations of the horses, a parasite monitoring and control program for the facility, dental work, routine vaccinations, and minor surgical and medical procedures as needed. AVC senior veterinary students, interns, and residents all participate in the care of these horses.
6. Health management services for Handibear Hills Equine Sanctuary, Inc. (Dr. Wendy Duckett, Associate Professor, Health Management AVC)
This project provides preventive medical care to the horses at the Handibear Hills Equine Sanctuary, Inc. For 20 years, this facility owned by Yogi Fell in South Granville, PEI has provided a refuge for horses needing a home. Through programs such as the Trailblazers Club, young people and adults spend time at Handibear Hills learning to ride, groom, and generally care for the horses.
Funding for this project is continued for two more years. The program will provide regular dental care and vaccinations for the 26 horses currently at the Sanctuary, as well as parasite monitoring and control and behavioural advice for conditions that affect the comfort and quality of life of the horses. AVC senior veterinary students, interns and residents all participate in the care of these horses.
7. Medical and surgical care of homeless animals (Dr. Caroline Runyon, Professor, Companion Animals, AVC)
Since first receiving funding in 1994, this project has enabled care for more than 3,000 companion animals, primarily dogs and cats. Funding has been granted to this project for a further two years to continue to address the problems of pet overpopulation and homeless animals in the region. Injured or ill animals brought to the AVC Veterinary Teaching Hospital by the PEI Humane Society or Good Samaritans receive physical examinations, x-rays, and/or other diagnostic procedures, emergency medical care, and continued medical or surgical care (including neutering as required) in consultation with the shelter. Some lost animals are claimed by their owners, while most, once healthy, are placed in homes through standard shelter adoption. Some animals are placed in “special needs” adoptive homes because they require specific care during recovery. Animals with severe illness or extensive injuries are humanely euthanized. AVC senior veterinary students, interns and residents are extensively involved in the care of these animals.
8. Wildlife rehabilitation (including displaced or orphaned wildlife) (Dr. Hans Gelens, Associate Professor, Companion Animals)
Caring members of the public often bring orphaned or injured wild animals (birds and small mammals) to the AVC. Since 1999, the wildlife rehabilitation project has provided financial support to care for these wild animals, some of which require medical attention and others temporary nursing and supportive care (especially for orphaned wildlife). For some animals, the best option is humane euthanasia.
Funding has been renewed for this project to build upon and improve the level of care for injured or orphaned wildlife at AVC. Typical costs include building materials (cages, perches, environmental enrichment), specialty foods, equipment (heat lamps, special bedding), anesthesia, radiographs, and surgery. The number of raptors cared for through the project has increased and there are additional costs for transportation of these birds to and from Maritime wildlife rehabilitation centres for proper flight training and long term care. The end goal for all patients is successful release back into the wild.
AVC students from all four years participate in the program, which offers a unique opportunity to interact with wildlife and apply principles of veterinary medicine to non-domestic species. The project has been integrated into, and is supported by, the AVC Companion Animal Medicine Service and Student Wildlife Club. The AVC, through this project, is part of a North American network of caretakers and rehabilitators of wildlife.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Alice Crook, Coordinator, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre (902) 628-4360
External Relations, AVC Dean's Office (902) 566-0533
Dr. Amreek Singh Named OVC’s 2008 Distinguished Alumnus
The OVC Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to an alumnus who has made significant contributions of leadership and service to their country, community, science, education and profession.
Former student of Singh and faculty member with AVC’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. Paul Hannah nominated Singh for the prestigious award. “Dr. Singh has brought great honour to the profession and his fellow alumni through his long-lasting contributions to veterinary science and education, and the community at large through his commitment, wisdom and leadership.”
Singh received a Master of Science degree in 1968 and a Ph.D in 1971 from OVC. Following, Singh taught at the OVC for 11 years until 1985, when he was recruited as one of the founding faculty members of the Atlantic Veterinary College in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
“Dr. Singh has been an award winning teacher, valued mentor and highly recognized researcher over his career, says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. “Dr. Singh has provided invaluable training, leadership, advice and support to his many graduate and honour students. He has been a real role model to colleagues, staff and students.”
Since retiring from teaching Anatomy at AVC eight years ago, Singh has remained involved at the College as chair of the admissions committee. In addition, Singh is actively involved in the PEI Soccer Association, a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and AVC Vet Camp.
“It was incredible news to me. I was shocked and floored,” said Singh, who has mentored many second- and even third-generation veterinarians, children of former students. “All I have achieved is thanks to my young, sharp and intelligent friends. They are the best.”
Public presentation about meteorites at UPEI on July 25
Professor Paul Wiegert, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, will give a public presentation about meteorites on Friday, July 25, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Duffy Science Centre, Room 204, at the University of Prince Edward Island.
During his talk, entitled Meteorites and The Danger from Impacts, Wiegert will discuss the properties of known meteorites, along with more exotic ones such as meteorites believed to have arrived from the moon and Mars. He will show some examples of meteorites and talk about the differences between them and ordinary rocks. He will also discuss the danger of the impact of a larger meteorite on Earth.
Meteorites are usually fragments of broken asteroids, and spend most of their life orbiting the sun in the same way as the planets, says Wiegert. If and when the path of a meteorite intersects with that of Earth, friction with the atmosphere produces a shooting star as the meteorite approaches Earth at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per second.
If the body of the meteorite does not burn up during its brief but fiery descent, it--or pieces of it--may reach the ground. Large meteorites may create a crater, but smaller ones may not cause much more than a small dent where they land.
Wiegert teaches astronomy and physics at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. His research concentrates on the smallest bodies in the solar system, such as asteroids, comets, moons and meteors.
All are welcome to attend this free event.
Alumni to gather at UPEI for Reunion Weekend July 24 to 27
Alumni from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), St. Dunstan's University (SDU) and Prince of Wales College (PWC) will gather at UPEI from July 24 to 27 for the annual fun-filled Summer Reunion Weekend.
“Reunion Weekend is an opportunity for former students to reunite with classmates and other alumni, as well as to visit the campus, which is undergoing significant rejuvenation,” says Phil MacDougall, president of the UPEI Alumni Association.
Starting on July 24, the SDU classes of ’48,’58, ’61, ’62 and ’68 will renew friendships and trade memories at class events during the weekend. Special anniversaries include 60 years for the Class of ’48, 50 for the Class of ’58 and 40 for the Class of ’68.
The always popular UPEI Alumni golf tournament takes place on Friday, July 25, at Fox Meadow Golf and Country Club. Tee-off time for the 150 golfers who are expected to participate is at 7:30 a.m.
Bishop Faber MacDonald, Bishop Emeritus of
A tour of the campus takes place on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.
A highlight of the weekend, the PWC Annual Reunion Luncheon, will take place
on Sunday, July 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre’s McMillan
Hall. Internationally renowned television reporter Doreen Kays will give an
address called From Charlottetown to
For more information, contact Linda Callaghan at (902) 566-0415 or alumni@upei.ca. For the complete Reunion Weekend schedule, visit upei.ca/alumni/summer_2008.
UPEI's Tourism Research Centre releases study on visitor party composition
The Tourism Research Centre (TRC) at UPEI’s School of Business today announced the release of a report profiling
“The Exit Survey was designed so results can be structured to look at our visitors in many different lights,” explains Dr. Sean Hennessey, Faculty Director of the TRC. “There are a multitude of ways of categorizing our visitors. In this case, we are focusing on the make-up of the numerous travel parties, and specifically who is in the travel group. A group of multiple adults travelling together have very different interests and spending habits than, for example, a family with young children.”
The
results presented in the report are for pleasure visitors who spent at least
one night on
This
report separates visitors into five distinct segments: family travellers, adult
couples, three or more adult travellers, two adult travellers and single travellers.
For this study, adults are considered to be at least 18 years of age, and an
adult couple consists
of a two-person travel party, one male and one female. The
report primarily focuses on the first three segments as they make up
approximately 88 per cent of travel groups visiting
“The results show major differences in
length of trip and time spent on
The main highlights of this report include:
· The three main travel parties account for 88 per cent of total visiting parties. Adult couples account for 44.2 per cent, families 31.7 per cent and parties of three or more adults 12.1 per cent. Approximately 80 per cent of these segments were travelling on pleasure trips.
· Adult couples were travelling on the
longest trips; they averaged 9.0 nights away from home and 5.1 nights on
· Adult travel parties favoured hotel, motel, resort, and B&B/inn-type accommodation (35 to 42 per cent of these travel parties spent at least one night in these types of accommodations). Families favoured cottages (28 per cent spent at least one night) or campgrounds (25 per cent spent at least one night).
· Almost one-half of family travellers
stayed in Anne’s Land. This area, and
· The average spending by visitors on a per person, per night, basis ranged from a low of $54.55 by family travellers to a mid-range $65.24 for parties of three or more adults and on to a high of $90.77 for adult couples. As party sizes are larger, total trip expenditures by both families and parties of three or more adults averaged $1,155, considerably more than the average total trip expenditures of adult couples ($916).
· In terms of first-time versus repeat
visitors, the three travel segments are similar: between 70 and 74 per cent
have been to
· As would be expected, family travellers are younger (66 per cent of the adults in the family group are in the age bracket 35–54, which is double the non-family ratio).
· Adult couples are the oldest segment; 52 per cent are 55 or more years of age. More than one-third (36 per cent) are retired.
· Parties consisting of three or more adults travelling together tend to be very much a mix. While 44 per cent are 55 years of age or older, and 25 per cent are retired, a far-above-average 31 per cent are in the young-adult (18 to 34) age group.
·
About 6 per cent of the market
was two adult travellers and 80 per cent visited
· Two adult travellers were the most likely to stay at a hotel, motel, resort, B&B or inn (56 per cent stayed at least one night). Single travellers, not surprisingly, often stayed at the homes of friends or relatives (47 per cent).
·
These two small segments were
more likely to visit
· The majority of single travellers were repeat visitors (82 per cent). Two adult travellers were the least likely to be repeat visitors (70 per cent).
The report is part of a series of
supporting reports based on comprehensive data previously released in the
report “Overall Results of the 2007 Exit Survey.” The data is for the main
tourism season of June 27 to September 30, 2007, and was collected as visitors
departed
For a list of all reports released by the TRC on Exit Survey results, please visit
trc.upei.ca/exitsurvey. Further information about the report can be
obtained from the Tourism Research Centre,
