A father and son pilot duo from Kitchener are using their private plane to rescue a variety of animals across Canada, including most recently in Thunder Bay where a bald eagle needed emergency wing surgery.
Paul and Kai Salvini are volunteer pilots with the Canadian Wings of Rescue (CWoR), a charity organization that coordinates transportation for injured, abused and abandoned animals across the country to ensure they receive the care they need.
“I was reading one of the magazines for general aviation pilots, and there was an article about the Canadian Wings of Rescue and the work that they were doing to help rescue pets using planes like ours,” recalled Paul.
“I immediately thought that’s perfect for us.”
Paul has been a pilot since the mid-1990s.
Meanwhile, 20-year old Kai, who is studying computer sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University, received his pilot licence last November. .
Since then, Kai does most of the flying when they head out on calls.
“Just trying to get more experience and more diverse experience as well. These flights provide lots of little things you don’t always get just staying in the area flying,” said Kai.
Kai Salvini says he grew up around planes and plans to follow in his father’s footsteps of becoming a pilot when he finishes school. (Karis Mapp/CBC)
Rescue missions
The pair went on their first flight for the organization in September when they transported two Great Horned Owls to be released in Thunder Bay.
A month later, they were headed back to Thunder Bay for a more fragile situation.
A bald eagle was found critically injured there and needed specialized surgery in Caledon to fix a complex wing break.
“It was more of an emergency transportation,” explained Kai. “I remember I was just finishing up a homework assignment before going to bed. I called my dad and was like, ‘we could do this.'”
Driving to Thunder Bay from their home would take roughly 15 hours, but in their plane the pair was able to make it there in three and a half hours.
“We did have to stop for fuel and a break on the way because of some of the head winds. We had much more favourable winds on the way back and so we were able to do that in one trip,” said Paul.
When the two arrived at Thunder Bay’s airport, the bird was placed in the back of their cab in a crate.
Kai Salvini at Thunder Bay’s airport back in September ready to transport the critically injured bald eagle to Caledon for surgery. (Submitted: Paul Salvini)
“He wasn’t doing so well so they had a blanket over his crate to keep the light out so he could rest,” Kai said.
He added that they tried their best to avoid any turbulence to keep the bird comfortable on the trip.
“We saw the X-ray of the break and we wanted to make it as smooth of a flight as possible.”
Despite a safe trip, the bald eagle’s injury proved to be too critical and it died a little while later.
The critically injured bald eagle found in Thunder Bay in September. It had to be flown to Caledon for a complex wing surgery. (Submitted: Canadian Wings of Rescue)
Family bonding
While the outcome wasn’t what they had hoped for, the Salvinis say they will continue to do their part to help animals.
For Paul, he said the time spent in the air with Kai is priceless.
“I think any father will know any time you can spend time with your son, especially at this age, it is quite special,” he said.
“So to be able to have an activity like aviation that we love and share a passion for and then to have that added purpose of being able to help others is pretty incredible.”
Since its inception in 2013, the CWoR has flown over 1,200 animals.
Paul (left) and Kai Salvini have travelled to Thunder Bay in their private plane twice in the last three months to transport animals across the country to receive the care they need. They are both volunteer pilots with the Canadian Wings of Rescue. (Karis Mapp/CBC)
Both Paul and Kai say it’s been an unforgettable experience working with the charity.
“It’s super seamless to just create your account, fill in your information, whether you’re flying your own plane or renting a plane. It’s super easy to go over all that in your profile,” said Kai.
Meanwhile, Paul added he’s continually blown away by the co-ordination efforts.
“You have the Canadian Wings of Rescue providing all the transportation co-ordination. You’ve got airports like here in Waterloo [region] making sure we can get out right on time. You’ve got the airport and the crews and Thunder Bay expecting us.”