Peterborough native Dr. Mike Cranfield, a renowned conservationist and wildlife veterinarian, has passed away after a brief illness. He was 71 years old.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Cranfield graduated from the University of Guelph and earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1977, with a residency at the Toronto Zoo. He originally trained as a large animal veterinarian to treat farm animals like cows and horses.

After working as a veterinarian for Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough and a wild animal zoo in Japan, Cranfield moved to Baltimore in 1982 to become chief veterinarian of the Maryland Zoo, subsequently becoming the zoo’s director of animal health, research, and conservation who was responsible for the health and care of more than 1,500 animals at the zoo.

In 1998, while still working at the Maryland Zoo, Cranfield became director of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, a non-profit organization formed in 1986 at the request of Dian Fossey, famous for her study of wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda, with a mission to save the lives of critically endangered mountain gorillas living in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as endangered eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In addition to his duties at the zoo, Cranfield began spending several months each year in Africa, where he worked with local trackers and guides to treat injured and sick gorillas in their wild habitat.

Under Cranfield’s leadership from 1998 to 2009, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project expanded to include its One Health programs for the mountain and Grauer’s gorillas living in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, orphaned gorillas, and for people and animals working in and living near gorilla habitat. He also started a program for African students to study veterinary science, with tuition paid by the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

Today, the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project operates as Gorilla Doctors, in partnership with The Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California, Davis. Under Cranfield’s leadership, it grew from a single American veterinarian to an organization with more than 80 per cent of its staff, including 13 veterinarians, from its African partner nations.

“Mike transformed and expanded the field of wildlife conservation medicine through his visionary approach,” reads a statement from Gorilla Doctors. “Mike was an instrumental mentor to countless students, veterinarians, and early career conservationists working in eastern gorilla habitat countries, fostering the capacity and talent of the future leaders of great ape medicine.”

“Mike contributed immeasurably to the recovery of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, and (the Democratic Republic of) Congo, one of the few conservation success stories on our planet.”

A documentary called Gorilla Doctors featuring Cranfield was broadcast on CBC’s The Nature of Things in 2014.

Cranfield received a number of conservation awards during his career, including the Michael D. Hankin Award for Conservation from the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, the Dr. Emil P. Dolensek Award from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, and the Oscar W. Schalm Award from the University of California, Davis.

“Mike was a pioneer,” says Rob Hilsenroth, a longtime friend of Cranfield and executive director of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. “When he started working with the mountain gorilla program in Africa, he completely changed it from an (non-governmental organization) that provided veterinary care to sick and injured animals to the world-class conservation program that Gorilla Doctors is today.”

“He championed what we now call ‘one health’ long before it became popular among health care professionals and conservationists,” Hilsenroth adds. “And he mentored many students and veterinarians in the U.S. and in Africa along the way. The animal world is a better place because of Dr. Mike.”

Along with his work with Gorilla Doctors, Cranfield volunteered weekly to spay and neuter cats and dogs free of charge at local animal shelters.

“Mike was a legend,” says Baltimore veterinarian Kim Hammond. “He brought everyone around him energy rather than taking it.”

Cranfield died on Monday (August 28) from West Nile disease (see update below), which he is believed to have contracted when building his cabin in the woods of Ontario.

A gathering of remembrance will be held at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Gorilla Doctors’ Mike Cranfield Memorial Fund (P.O Box 356, Davis, CA 95617) or at www.gorilladoctors.org/drmike/, the Maryland Zoo (1800 Mansion House Dr., Baltimore, MD 21217), or the Riverview Park and Zoo (1300 Water St., Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7G4).

UPDATE Oct 5 2023 – The Cranfield family has been advised that, after further testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mike Cranfield was infested with the Powassan virus and not West Nile virus.

According to the CDC, Powassan virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected tick. Although still rare, the number of reported cases of people sick from Powassan virus has increased in recent years. Most cases in the United States occur in the northeast and Great Lakes regions from late spring through mid-fall when ticks are most active.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat Powassan virus disease. Powassan virus causes death in about 10 per cent of severe cases, with half of those who survive severe disease having permanent or long-term neurological symptoms.

Eleven local arts and culture organizations in Kawartha Lakes are receiving a total of $117,924.02 in one-time municipal grants.

Earlier this year, Kawartha Lakes city council approved $120,000 in the 2023 budget for an Arts and Culture Resiliency Fund to help non-profit organizations cover fixed operating costs such as rent and utilities, as well as fixed staffing costs, that were incurred last year.

With applications open during June, the fund offered grants in three tiers: up to $2,500, up to $10,000, and up to $20,000. Thirteen applications were received and reviewed, with 11 organizations deemed eligible for the funding.

Four eligible organizations were approved for the maximum grant of $20,000: A. Sheila Boyd Foundation in Bobcaygeon, Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon, The Academy Theatre Foundation in Lindsay, and The Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls.

The other seven organizations receiving grants are:

• Kirkfield Historical Society Museum in Kirkfield ($16,824.56)
• Ottawa Huron Tract History Association in Bethany ($6,175.63)
• Maryboro Lodge – Fenelon Falls Museum in Fenelon Falls ($6,174.13)
• Kinmount Management Committee in Kinmount ($5,608.76)
• Fenelon Station Gallery in Fenelon Falls ($2,500)
• Kinmount Artisan Marketplace in Kinmount ($2,500)
• Manvers Historical Society in Bethany ($2,500)

An application from Kawartha Art Gallery was deemed ineligible as that organization was already receiving city funding separately through the 2023 budget, and an application from Pinnguaq was deemed ineligible for not being an arts and culture organization.

The Peterborough Petes have announced the second of three pre-season exhibition home games taking place at local community rinks.

At 7:05 p.m. on Friday, September 22nd at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre (88 Alma St., Norwood), the Petes will face off against the Kingston Frontenacs — the same team they will play at the 2023-24 season home opener on Thursday, September 28th.

The Norwood game will also feature raffles, Chuck-A-Puck, and appearances from Roger the Petes mascot. General admission tickets are $20 cash only, and are only available in person at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre and JJ Stewart Motors (2239 8th Line, Norwood) while supplies last.

Attendees can choose seating in the arena or seating in the LLBO-licensed Millennium Room, which will have a live stream of the game (attendees seated in the Millennium Room will not have access to arena seating).

The first of the three pre-season exhibition home games takes place on Labour Day (September 4) at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope, where the Petes will take on the Oshawa Generals. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The final pre-season exhibition home game will take place in Millbrook on Saturday, September 23rd, with details to be announced.

4th Line Theatre founder Robert Winslow is writing a play about the former Millbrook high school, and the outdoor theatre company is inviting members of the community to a special reminiscence event this fall.

Managing artistic director Kim Blackwell will join Winslow at the October public gathering, which will aid in the development of Winslow’s forthcoming play Millbrook High, an exploration of the stories of the high school located on County Road 10 from its 1960 opening until its closing in the early 1980s.

Members of the public are invited to attend to share stories and memories of the history of the high school. According to Blackwell, community reminiscences are central to 4th Line Theatre’s play development program and its historical research.

“Reminiscences give us first-hand accounts of the history we are researching and are an essential part of developing our plays,” she says in a media release. “Without this, our productions would not have the authenticity and realism our patrons have come to expect.”

Past 4th Line Theatre productions developed through reminiscences include Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Doctor Barnardo’s Children, Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse. and Maja Ardal’s The Hero of Hunter St.

The community reminiscence takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. place on Saturday, October 14th at Centreville Presbyterian Church (574 County Road 28, Bailieboro), which is fully accessible. The event is free-of-charge and registration is not required to attend.

For those unable to attend in person, 4th Line Theatre is providing a virtual option. Register in advance at eventbrite.com/e/709667553757 and you’ll receive an email prior to the event with a link to the meeting on the Zoom video conferencing platform.

After a summer of low risk of COVID-19 transmission, Peterborough Public Health has moved the risk up to moderate.

However, the transmission risk of other respiratory viruses such as influenza remains low.

“We are seeing an increase in local COVID-19 indicators, including per cent positivity of PCR tests and wastewater signal,” says Peterborough’s medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott in a media release issued on Wednesday afternoon (August 30).

Dr. Piggott says an increase in respiratory virus activity is anticipated as we head into the fall, and members of the community — especially those at an increased risk for severe symptoms — should monitor the health unit’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index updated every Wednesday at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-risk-index/.

“As new variants continue to emerge globally, like BA.2.86, it is important to remember that guidance for prevention of COVID-19 infections remain the same,” Dr. Piggott says, adding that the health unit is continuing to monitor dominant strains of COVID-19 in the community and will keep the public updated if there are any emerging variants of concern.

Peterborough Public Health’s director of health protection Donna Churipuy says the health unit will soon be providing guidance on fall vaccines, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

“Peak circulation of both COVID-19 and influenza is expected in the fall during respiratory virus season,” Churipuy says. “Receiving both vaccinations will provide maximum protection against these viruses.”

When the Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index is at the moderate risk level, the health unit recommends wearing a well-fitted KN95/N95-style face mask in high-risk indoor settings, and gathering outdoors or in spaces with proper ventilation.

The health unit also recommends that anyone who feels unwell should stay home to prevent further spread of infection and should practice respiratory etiquette, such as coughing or sneezing into your sleeves or a tissue, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and cleaning your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or with 60 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Representatives of Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough gathered on Wednesday afternoon (August 30) to celebrate the results of a $149,100 capital grant received late last year from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The six-month grant allowed the non-profit charitable organization to purchase and install a state-of-the-art projector for film and theatre performances, as well as new state-of-the-art lighting elements.

Along with Market Hall’s general manager Chad Hogan, board chair Joe Grant, and board member Jennifer Cavanagh, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith spoke at the event on behalf of the Ontario government.

“It is great to see the results of the work that Market Hall has been able to do thanks to this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” Smith said in a media release. “These funds have allowed Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to advance their facility and continue to serve the community by providing a space for everyone to enjoy.”

According to the Market Hall, the capital upgrades that were completed in May will help extend the life of the Charlotte Street venue and provide the community with more flexibility for arts-related performances.

“We want to say thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of the arts and culture in Peterborough,” general manager Chad Hogan said. “Filmmakers and community groups alike will be able to screen their films with the highest quality available, and the lighting will improve the visual aesthetic for performances. So, overall, it’s a tremendous visual upgrade for the space.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario that has been providing grants for 40 years. Last year, the agency provided more than $110 million to 1,022 community projects and partnerships.