We get asked tons of great questions so we've grouped them together into this cool FAQ section. Check it out and learn even more about Earth Rangers, the Ambassadors, and important Environmental issues!

Got something you want to know that we haven't already answered below? Send in your question here!

How does Earth Rangers help animals?

It's our passion to help protect the planet and reduce our impact on the environment. We suggest ways to conserve water, conserve energy, reduce waste and protect habitats. By doing these things, we help to provide animals with places to live, food to eat and clean water to drink.

What does captive breeding mean?

Captive breeding programs are helpful in increasing an endangered species' population and are like an insurance policy against extinction. They've been super important in recovery programs for many different animals such as the Bald Eagle.

Where do the animals live at Earth Rangers?

All of the animals have their own enclosures at our Centre.

Why do you use animals in the shows?

We don’t want to tell you how great nature is - we want to show you! Introducing you to our Animal Ambassadors helps explain the connection between our actions and the impact they have on these amazing animals.

Why don't you let people touch the animals?

We don't allow it for the health and safety of the animal.

Why do the animal handlers wear gloves when holding the owls and other birds?

The gloves protect their hands and arms from the birds’ sharp talons.

What does extirpated mean?

Extirpated means that a species no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but can be found elsewhere. We can help prevent this from happening by working to preserve the habitats where these animals live.

What is the difference between threatened and endangered?

Endangered species are at the brink of extinction. That means that there are very few of them left in the world. Threatened means that there are more of them left, but they're in danger of reaching the brink in the near future.

What can I do if I see other kids trying to hurt animals (e.g. rock throwing at birds)?

This is called cruelty to animals and is illegal. If it's safe to do so, you can try asking them to stop doing it. Otherwise, you should ask a teacher or another adult for help.

What do I do if someone wants to take an animal out of its' natural habitat?

Remind them that wild animals belong in the wild and don't make very good pets.

What should I do if I see an animal that is hurt?

The best thing to do is to tell an adult and have them call a wildlife animal hospital like the Toronto Wildlife Centre at (416) 631- 0662. If it’s an animal like a dog or a cat, you can contact your local Human Society for help. Don't try to capture it yourself though, because sick and injured animals can become aggressive when they're scared.

Why do we use pesticides?

Humans use pesticides to get rid of plants and insects that they don’t want around. For instance, they're used to control certain pests that spread disease like mosquitoes, pests that destroy structures like termites, as well as to preserve farm crops. However, you can help reduce the amount of pesticides used by picking weeds by hand, encouraging your parents not to spray your lawn and by trying to eat organic fruits and vegetables.

Why should we compost?

There are many reasons why composting is cool! One is that animals like skunks, raccoons, and opossums have a very good sense of smell, and will sniff out the food in our garbage. If the animal gets into our garbage they can get hurt by eating things that will make them sick or getting cut on sharp objects. So by composting and keeping our food scraps out of the garbage, we can help protect these animals.

Another important reason for composting is that it helps reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills – which prevents habitats from being destroyed to make room for more landfills. Instead of filling up our landfills, compost gets turned into soil that is re-used in gardens!

Don’t some things need to have packaging on them?

Yes, a lot of the things we buy do require packaging. For example, food needs packaging to keep it fresh and clean. Other items need packaging to protect it during shipping. While we can’t stop using packaging all together, you can make a difference by looking for products that use less packaging. For example instead of buying a bag with 10 small bags of chips in it, buy one large bag of chips.

Can’t plastic bags be recycled?

Some plastic bags can be recycled, but there are only a few municipalities that will take them. This is because it's harder to recycle plastic bags than it is to recycle other types of plastic like pop bottles. Also, unlike plastic containers that have number codes on them (used for separating in the recycling process), plastic bags don't have a code on them, and therefore can't be sorted.

How can plastic that we throw away affect animals that live on the other side of the world?

Plastic that we throw away has the potential to travel around the world. It can be blown around by the wind and then enter water sources and wash all the way out into the ocean. While in the ocean it can harm jellyfish, sea turtles, whales, sea birds and many other creatures. We can help protect these animals by limiting the amount of plastic we throw away.

Where can I find organic/bamboo/hemp clothing?

A lot of companies are starting to make more environmentally friendly clothing – you just have to be willing to look for it. You can start by checking clothing tags and asking store clerks if they sell things like organic, bamboo and hemp clothing. You can also search online for these products.

What can I do to let companies know that they should carry more environmentally friendly products?

You can write or e-mail the companies and let them know that you would like more environmentally friendly products. Tell them that you would probably buy more of their stuff if they offered organic, bamboo, hemp, local and less packaging on their items.

Environmental problems seem so big and I am only one person. Can I really make a difference?

Many people think that it's impossible to make a difference, but the fact is you can. It's true! By making small changes, you can make a BIG difference! For example, by using both sides of a piece of paper – you're minimizing the number of trees you use by half. See how easy it!

All it takes is for one person to make a change in their life and many people will follow. Take recycling for example - 20 years ago there were only a few people doing it, and now we all do it! So if you start making positive changes, others will notice and eventually your friends, family and neighbours will start to do the same.

Don't you use energy in your shows?

Yes, we do use energy in our Shows. We feel that this is an important use of energy because it helps us teach others about the environment. At each school we visit, we challenge students to take on action projects to save energy. These students become mysterious and powerful forces that help us offset the amount of energy used to deliver the show.

Is taking the bus better than driving a car?

You bet it is! Taking the bus is way better for the environment than driving a car. Buses can usually have up to 40 people on it at a time. That means that there could be 40 less cars driving on the road, which means less a lot air pollution!

How does air pollution affect animals?

Air pollution affects animals in the same way it affects humans - it makes it harder to breath. It can also affect plants, which means that they may not grow properly and this impacts food for animals. Air pollution can also cause acid rain which makes the water unsuitable for animals to drink or to live in. There are things we can do though - help reduce air pollution by walking or riding our bikes rather than getting a ride in a car!

Does the water we use in our homes go back out into the lakes?

Yes, the water that goes down the drain eventually gets released back into the environment. Water moves from our homes and goes to a water treatment facility where it's filtered and cleaned of wastes and harmful chemicals. Once the water is cleaned it gets released back out into lakes, rivers and streams.

If water we use goes back into the lakes then why do we need to save water?

Even though the water we use goes back into nature, we still have to save it. We all need to use water, but the problem is that we're using water faster than we can replace it. For example, one house might be using 10 glasses of water at one time, but only 1 glass of water is going back out into the lake. So if we use more than what we put back, eventually our water sources will start to dry up.

Cutting down trees and forests affects the animals, but doesn't it help us?

Trees are a great resource. We use things that are made from trees every day. But many animals depend on the forests for food and shelter. We're not telling you to stop using products made from trees but we can all make a difference by simply making different choices and by cutting back on the amount of paper products we use. For example, using paper on both sides before putting it in the recycling bin can help cut down on the amount of paper you're using by half!